RE: [VAL] Repairing tail sag

["Peter Ryner" <pryner@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jerry,
I can't help with your specific questions, but I can tell you that the
plates the airstream factory used on my '68 28' had an item number of NPN03,
003 repair plates.  They are only $259.96 at the factory.  I don't know the
size or if they bolted or were welded on.  They fit the vertical part of the
frame and are far enough away from the floor that the flame shouldn't be an
issue.  If I had it to do over again, I think I may do the work myself as
their labor cost $1920 for the job.  Then again, they did have to do a lot
of work to include remove the belly skin, straighten the frame, install the
kit, replace the skin and they also replaced a bunch of rivets that had
popped because of the frame bending.  The labor also included cutting the
rear skin on both sides of the rear access door, replacing the bolts holding
the body to the frame and putting a new skin on to cover the holes.  It was
a first rate job and the rear skin looks like it is original.  Be advised
that the total bill came to almost $3000 including all shocks changed with
the many parts used for the repair.  If no one on the list has the answers
to your questions, I'd recommend calling the factory.  I found them to be
very helpful and don't believe they would have a problem providing the
answers to your questions.
Pete