Re: [VAL] Repairing tail sag

[Charlie/Betty Burke <cbburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tom,

Yes, elephant ears are the mark of the fix for another, older unrelated 
frame droop problem. From the late 60's into the early 70's Airstream 
had a problem with the floor rail to frame anchor in the rear of 
coaches. The washer they used to spread out the load was to small. It 
would deteriorate and then collapse allowing the body to lift up from 
the frame. This problem was not restricted to longer coaches and 
effected both the older and the newer body style. (pre and post 1969).
Elephant ears do not appear on all coaches with the problem. Those 
coaches with rear compartment doors can be repaired from the inside of 
the compartment.

The frame droop problem fixed by the frame plates was a true bending of 
the frame due to overloading from the added water storage capacity 
brought on with the addition of gray water tanks. This problem most 
commonly occurred in longer coaches and was indicated by a ripple or 
wave radiating out at a 45 degree angle from the upper corners of the 
wheel wells.

Charlie