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Likepaperinafir's avatar
Sep 26, 2017

Is there any quality in craftsmanship left?

So I got back from my first trip with my brand new toyhauler fiver and I'm cleaning and locking it up hand happen to notice a few loose bolts so I look now and realize every single bolt on the suspension is loose and one has almost fallen out. I call the dealer I for it from and they tell me I have to find a way to tow it to them. Start asking around and basically everyone that had bought a trailer or rv in the last few years they are all just falling apart. What is happening?
  • Make sure when the bolts are replaced that you ensure that the hanger bolt holes are not damaged. The bolts have splines near the head that engage the hangers. If the bolts have come loose they may have rotated or vibrated around and enlarged the holes enough that new splined bolts, or the old ones, will not engage the hanger material. Elongated holes and worn bolts usually follow close on the heels of damage like that and that can lead to complete failure of the parts.
  • Anther reason to do our own inspections regularly. Those bolts were probably already loose before you left on your trip. RV's need constant attention, it's as simple as that. Welcome to the world of RV'ing.
  • I would tighten but some are almost falling out already and worked themselves half way out lost the nuts on the road somewhere. I don't have a back heavy enough to lift it to push the bolts back through either...
  • Yet another reason for me to hold on to my 2001. Rest assured, back then there were complaints about QC...but now I hear things like the in side plumbing connections were either loose or dangling...didn't find out until a flood occurs...simple/stupid stuff like that.

    Kinda similar to the American cars back when...until the "Big 3" started to imitate the Japanese QC superiority. So now...are things reversing? Is the Toyota Corolla as bulletproof as it used to be?

    Once the bean counters take over....QC seems to go down the tubes.

    For the OP....tightening nuts and bolts should not be a problem (DIY) but other stuff ? Hope for the best and g'luck.

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