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CampingN_C_'s avatar
CampingN_C_
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014

Dealer installed Dual Cams wrong! Need fix opinions.

So we got our new Jayco home Saturday and I've just now really looked at everything close on the hitch work. At first sight everything looks correct but he didn't clamp them on before drilling, so I have a gap in between the bottom of the frame and the top of the cam bracket. One is worse than the other.
All I know to do is move them over and re-drill, leaving a nice unused hole in the new frame!
It's a 32HBDS with heavy tongue weight, otherwise I might would leave it. The bolts will take all the pressure the way it is.
He also tacked the self threading bolts to the bracket, looks like crap. He said they always do that.
The gap is approx 1/8 inch.
Any ideas for the best fix? Thinking of just filling the gap with stock, and leaving them where they are.
Pics would be hard to get but I'm sure you Dual Cam guys know what I'm talking about here.

39 Replies

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  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer II
    Mar 05, 2014
    I may not have been clear. What I meant was to weld the holes in the bracket shut. Then drill new holes in the bracket at the odd location that matches the screwed-up frame. There may not be enough room to do it but if you can there would be no more modifications or welding on the frame.

    This is a job for a machine shop, not someone with a hand drill.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2014
    CampingN.C. wrote:
    Lynnmor wrote:
    Could you have the bracket welded up and the holes drilled at the new stupid location? A good machine shop could handle that and have the idiot pay for it.


    Thinking about that. What the general thoughts on welding those on?

    I was planning on having a backer plate welded at some point and bolt the snap up brackets on anyway.


    Oops, I messed up. You already have the Trailer. I guess you could contact Jayco and see what they say about extra holes in the frame etc. Sounds like the dealer needs training on proper installation. The holes could be welded over and touched up but why should you have a new rig that is patched up. Someone said idiots? I agree.
  • CampingN_C_'s avatar
    CampingN_C_
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2014
    Lynnmor wrote:
    Could you have the bracket welded up and the holes drilled at the new stupid location? A good machine shop could handle that and have the idiot pay for it.


    Thinking about that. What the general thoughts on welding those on?

    I was planning on having a backer plate welded at some point and bolt the snap up brackets on anyway.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer II
    Mar 05, 2014
    Could you have the bracket welded up and the holes drilled at the new stupid location? A good machine shop could handle that and have the idiot pay for it.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2014
    Perhaps shimming the gap would be the best approach now? That is the route I would take. The damage is done and he has screwed up the bolts with a tack weld. I expect if you don't fill the gap there will be issues down the road. BTW, the dealer is an idiot.
  • CampingN_C_'s avatar
    CampingN_C_
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2014
    I guess it's KARMA !
    They wanted to charge me to install my hitch setup. I told them I wouldn't pay em a dime to do it and that I could do it myself.

    Guess that bit me in the A** !!!
  • CampingN_C_'s avatar
    CampingN_C_
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2014
    But what's the fix. I mean, in a way they've damaged the camper. Meaning the proper fix will leave two unnecessary holes in the frame.
    They're not going to give me a new camper!
    To someone unfamiliar with the physics of these that gap would seem very minor. However, there's a LONG thread right now talking about this very issue.
    I can't just move them up, they need to move up and over with new holes.
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer
    Mar 05, 2014
    CampingN.C. wrote:
    So we got our new Jayco home Saturday and I've just now really looked at everything close on the hitch work. At first sight everything looks correct but he didn't clamp them on before drilling, so I have a gap in between the bottom of the frame and the top of the cam bracket. One is worse than the other.
    All I know to do is move them over and re-drill, leaving a nice unused hole in the new frame!
    It's a 32HBDS with heavy tongue weight, otherwise I might would leave it. The bolts will take all the pressure the way it is.
    He also tacked the self threading bolts to the bracket, looks like crap. He said they always do that.
    The gap is approx 1/8 inch.
    Any ideas for the best fix? Thinking of just filling the gap with stock, and leaving them where they are.
    Pics would be hard to get but I'm sure you Dual Cam guys know what I'm talking about here.


    Get the proper install directions on-line from Reese. Point out to the dealer where he did not follow the recommended procedure, and make him fix it. If he won't you already have the evidence needed for further action.

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