Forum

  Well we just got back from two weeks in Cali, camped at Convict lake, Yesomite and Seqouia. GREAT TIME was had. BUT upon returning to lovely Illinois, I saw that the siding on the front and rear of our 16sb was completely loose and all the screws were gone. The only thing holding the rear on was  the spare tire carrier. We bucked a 35-40 mile an hour head wind and high 90's to low 100's temps all the way home so I suppose that was mostly to blame. One screw was left hanging in the front panel and was all rusty so I figured that water helped this happen. I plan to use some longer stainless screws with gorilla glue on them and span the bottom edge of the siding with some 3/4″ aluminum angle to help hold the siding panel in place. I also noticed that almost all of the DUM DUM that they use to seal the siding along the wall to roof/ front-rear edges was pushed out from under the aluminum channel.           Another thing I noticed was that the suspension is getting very loose, I always grease the spring shackles and front eye bolts before each trip but it looks like the 20,000 plus miles on the little trailer are taking their toll. Oh well, time for a suspension rebuild, I plan on rebuilding the springs with extra leafs and putting 205-75-14 tires and wheels on for a larger load capacity. I also plan on welding a hitch to the frame so we can carry our bikes ( all 5 of them) on a rear carrier, hopefully this wont upset the balance too much, they are all light weight aluminum mountain bikes so they dont weigh too much.  Check your trailers often, they are not well built, Mitch.

Bob, for the money we paid for a brand new trailer–7500 out the door, I really cant complain too much, I just need to keep a closer eye on the structure and underpinnings. Like I said, we have over 20,000 miles on this thing so problems can be expected. My parents used to own a HI-Lo and they towed that thing to the four corners of the earth and back and outside of wheel bearings and tires, my Dad never had a problem with anything, but that was a much much better built trailer. The siding problem along with the roof caulk failing prematurely are the only things that have really gone wrong since we bought it and the savings we have made by not using hotels have paid for it and them some. Hopefully it will hold together long enough for me to find the perfect AIRSTREAM and them someone else can have it.  Mitch.