Yes, we think it would be best to do away with the rims. Several people on
the list pointed out that the 'suicide' issue was for the tire shop workers
who had to change the split rims. Also some said they were illegal in their
states. My husband, Joe, has found a tire shop here that has the old cage for
changing split rims but then the replacement tires and tubes were in question.
We had once intended to leave the trailer at the land until we got the rim
thing figured out but after we moved the neighbors ran off a would-be thief
trying to hookup to it (they had cut the tongue lock off) so we decided to go
ahead and bring it over here that night. I did a lot of praying, literally,
because I knew those tires had to be ancient. Next morning in daylight I went
out to chock the wheels and saw that a whole rubber section about 8 in. wide
and a foot long was missing from the side on right front tire and the tube was
just staring at me - I honestly don't know how we made it home!
Someone also said that our axles look shot and trailer appeared to be setting
low. I plan to look under it tomorrow and see if I have leaf springs or not.
It was pointed out that I may not have to change the axles unless they are the
"Dura-torque" type. The axle style was said to change about the year of my
trailer. InlandRV sent me links to an article about those axles showing how
to check them. Replacement price is about $800 each thru them, but come
complete with rims.
Thanks to everyone who pointed out that all safety issues should be addressed
first before the cosmetic repairs. There is a guy in New London, TX who I
understand was considered an expert on Airstream repairs before he retired
many years ago. Name of Maxwell. I am still trying to contact him and will
go by there again tomorrow - he has a welding shop.
Now I have another project; my son's young Bulldog, Brownie, got hold of the
wires that go from the trailer to the hookup outlet and pulled them out and
chewed them off. In the process it may have damaged the electrical box in the
trailer - I saw him pulling on the wires and the whole Airstream was rocking.
Jaws of steel and brain of mush. I am just glad it wasn't plugged in. Note:
Brownie has been sidetracked from the yummy Aristream to an oddly interesting
project of his called Digging to China or Uprooting Nanny's Pecan Tree - we
aren't sure which will happen first, but the tree is starting to lean. He can
have the tree, he is now on a chain under it. Gads! Is that his plan? To
drag the tree to the Airstream and continue the ravaging? By the way; all the
Airstream's lights DID work. I try to keep smiling.
CAT
Joe and Cathy McGaughey
1964 Overlander International Land Yacht
1999 F250 Ford V10