[VAC] Batteries under side couch

["Terry Tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Bob & Susan (rharper@camden.net), 

When I put two batteries under my side gaucho ('67 22' Safari), one of the outside stringers cracked
where it was attached to the frame. When I saw the side of the Airstream begin to bulge, I knew I
had a problem and immediately, I knew what it was, how to fix it and when to do it (now). 

The bulge became obvious in Wyoming. My garage is near the border of Vermont and New York. I located
a rural welder's garage, showed him the problem, listened to him tell me my diagnosis, asked him if
he would fabricate a plate and weld it into place. I volunteered to do the scud work of drilling out
(with MY drill bits) the rivets necessary to lower the belly pan so the cracked stringer would be
directly accessible for him. After he fabricated the plate with its several angles and welded it in
place, I then reattached the belly pan. Most of my box of 500 pop rivets (the correct size) were
used. Two pop rivet guns were handy (one jammed). 
 
If I was to install two batteries under the couch again, I'd reinforce the stringer(s) first before
leaving home. I would not choose to do it 2,000 miles away - in a garage where cattle trailers were
repaired, where cow dung had to be shoveled out each day, where the temperature was 102 degrees in
the shade and where I would spent all day under the trailer, with 40 mph winds blowing hot dirt
(laced with dung) in my face while sweat poured off me during a four hour period. It took an hour
and a half to lower the belly pan, half hour for the welder (who charged me $25), half an hour for
lunch and another hour and a half to reattach the belly pan. Later, half an hour in the shower
didn't seem long enough. After the coveralls were washed, I donated them to the Salvation Army.

I love a challenge, but this is not something I'd choose to do again. There are some mistakes where
I learn my lesson the first time. This was one of them. 

Terry
mailto:tylerbears@airstream.net