[VAC] Re: Poping Rivets on the Front

[Inlandrv@xxxxxxx]

Ed. 
There are several things in your rigging that could have contributed to the 
loss of rivets on the front plate.
1. Your bars are entirely too stiff for your application. Since you have a 
heavy duty tow vehicle, the rating of your bars should be 750 pounds. That 
will permit the bars to bend at least 1 to 1 1/2 inches, which will also 
increase the performance of your sway control, if you are using the "dual 
cam." If your not using the dual cam, you should. 
2. Do you have the overload leaf spring on your Suburban? If so, it should be 
removed.
3. What is the condition of your axles? Should the rubber rods have failed in 
your axles, then the trailer is bottoming out when hitting bumps. To check 
out your axles, please go to our web site,  inlandrv.com     Click on 
"articles" and then click on "Dura-torque Axles." That article provides 
"check out" instructions.
4. Running gear balance also includes the hub and drum assemblies. Many times 
they are several ounces out of balance, especially with the vintage era. 
Combining vibration from 4 such wheels, often contributes to many "crazy" 
things or damage.
5. The "front hold down plate" varies in height from year to year. The safest 
way to add rivets is to remove your front pull out lounge, and probably the 
water tank as well. Then remove the vinyl clad panel below the front window. 
Remove the insulation. You now will see the "front plate". Inspect it 
carefully for cracked welds that may allow the plate to "float". Add at least 
3 horizontal rows of "buck" rivets to match the original design. In this case 
using buck rivets has an advantage over the "Olympic rivets" because they 
will allow a tighter fit in the holes that you drill. 

The "what happening" in your case is easy to see. The "why" is the elusive 
part. Therefore, unfortunately, all the possibilities should be examined. 

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com