Re: [VAC] Rear Bath Structural Problem ??

[Roy Lashway <rlashway@xxxxxxxxxx>]

You are well to be cautious.  Re-visit the trailer and go to the rear and 
left up on the rear bumper.  If the bumber moves and the body does not it 
is a sign of probable "trailer sag"-which is a bend in the frame  at the 
wheel area of trailer.  You may also observe a gap between top of bumper 
storage area and bottom of trailer body.  Yes it is reparable.  The other 
possibility is "frame separation".  This is not a bending the frame but a 
separation of some vertical holding brackets that connect rear of trailer 
to frame.  These can rust out or break.  Not quite as likely on a '76 but 
possible.  It is also fixable.  Your best bet for repair of these 
problems is the factory although an experienced dealer could do it if 
there are some old timers in the maintenace department.  However, this is 
getting more unlikely every year. Frame sag requires additon of about a 
five foot frame support at the wheel location while the separation 
problem generally means cutting open the rear of coach body above frame 
in installation of new hangers.  Sag repair is the most expensive by far.

If the bumber test doesn't show any movement and you do not observe any 
gaps or any bulghing at bottom of side panels between wheel to rear of 
trailer then there probably isn't a problem as yet and you can avoid the 
problems by not traveling with your black and grey water holding tanks  
empty and not driving on a lot of rough country roads that excessively  
bounce the rear of the trailer.  A final thought is hire or ask and 
experience Airstream mechanic to check out the unit for you and look for 
these problems.  It will be worth it in the long run.

Roy Lashway
'78 Argosy,'56 Bubble
rlashway@zianet.com