Mystery (non-) part?

[LHaven]

This is probably nothing, just a mildly disturbing coincidence.

During our last trip, we saw a glint from the ground near the bottom of our steps. It was the tiny tube in the photo. At first, I thought it might be a watchband spring pin with its guts missing, but it was too long.

After moving on to a different CG, we found a "matching" longer pin inside our trailer. One end was nicely rolled, the other obviously cracked (but not flattened, see right end). The coincidence of finding matching parts in two different locales within three days, both in good shape so not shed long ago, led us to wonder if we had something inside or outside the trailer falling apart.

Both pieces are equally but barely ferrous. The finish on the smaller one is slightly matte like wear, the longer one is polished like chrome.

These don't look like any part of a trailer I've ever seen. Has anyone else seen tubes like these?

[Maineiacs]

Kind of, sort of, might be hinge pins?

[dutchmensport]

I kind of agree with Maineiacs (above). Check your screen door hinges. If the pin that holds the door half to the half mounted on the frame fell out, that could be the culprit. It would also explain why one was inside and the other outside. On my screen door, there are 4 hinges. So, it's possible the pin came out of one and you'd never notice any difference with the door as the other 3 would still hold everything in place. Anyway....good luck.

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by Maineiacs

Kind of, sort of, might be hinge pins?

That thought did occur to me because the resemblance is there, though i've never seen a hollow or shiny plated(?) hinge pin. All my cabinetry hinges are bronze and under 2", and the part doesn't have enough heft for an appliance, cargo doors, or stairs. My breaker box doesn't have an actual hinge.

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by dutchmensport

Check your screen door hinges.

Ooh, good catch, I didn't check those. It's a Lippert hold-open hinge, so three big long multi-part hinges, way beefier than these, and all there. But thanks for the idea.

[fjr vfr]

Maybe it doesn't even come from your trailer but from some place else? Maybe something you store inside or carry in and out of the trailer?

[LHaven]

It's possible the entire thing is just a bizarre coincidence.

If none of the pro techs on the board tell me, "hey, I recognize that part," I'm satisfied.

[flybouy]

I've seen cheap windchimes break like that bottom tube.

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by flybouy

I've seen cheap windchimes break like that bottom tube.

Ha ha! No windchimes in DW's rig, ever!

[CampNBrew2]

Your muffler bearing is leaking?

I agree with above it seems like from something that may go in and out of the trailer while loading/unloading and may be not necessarily from the trailer itself.