Now to the current condition, during 12/2016. These pics show the lower flange damage (deformation). The rust staining shows this is not new damage. This larger deformation occurred a while ago. To help explain this a little better, when an RV I shape profile frame bends from downward pressure (force), the lower flange distorts (buckles) and the web ( the center part) can also buckle if the force is large enough. The top flange stretches normally as it is an overhung load, normally. The heavier the damage like in a wrecked camper, the more the deflection in the web and lower flange. The pics of wrecked camper on the RV.net post I linked in my first reply is a lot worse. This damage I have is, what I will call, a mild case of deformation. I cannot see any deformation or thinning on the top flange or the web, there is no buckle in the web, only on the bottom flange.
Here is the slide to the slide opening in the current condition. The rear side. See the camper flange to the slide flange gap.
The bottom rear gap. 1 1/8”
The rear top. 5/8”
The front, the opposite out of parallel direction as the rear, just not as pronounced.
Here you can see the back corner is down compared to the front of the slide. The red line is following a piece of siding from the front of the camper up to the bend area at the front of the slide. From there the siding is tilting downward towards the back of the camper.
Notice the red line above the gutter rail
Here is the frame. It does not look that bent, but the rear overhang is 8 ½ feet from the rear hanger, so the bend does not have to be much. There is a string 13 ft 4 in. long pulled tight from the before the front axle all the way to the end of the frame. It sags where the frame is bent which right behind the rear spring hanger.
Starts at front hanger
All the way to the back wall
At the bend area
If I hold the line to the bottom of the frame at the bend point (flat metal plate and C clamp), the frame across the axles is straight and from the bend to the back of the camper, the frame is straight. So I only have one area of damage.
More in the next reply
