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oldokie's avatar
oldokie
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015

Live and learn

I knew better than to put too much pressure on my stablizer jacks and did it anyway. The street side rear caused the siding to flex to the point that the lower row of siding broke loose right at the connection point with the row above it. It actually broke the panel loose along a line just at the point where the upper edge goes under the panel above. It split the metal for about 18 inches from the rear corner toward the front. I hope to repair it without taking the whole bottom panel off. This is all due to frame flex I think.

7 Replies

  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2015
    oldokie wrote:
    I knew better than to put too much pressure on my stablizer jacks and did it anyway. The street side rear caused the siding to flex to the point that the lower row of siding broke loose right at the connection point with the row above it. It actually broke the panel loose along a line just at the point where the upper edge goes under the panel above. It split the metal for about 18 inches from the rear corner toward the front. I hope to repair it without taking the whole bottom panel off. This is all due to frame flex I think.
    Taking the bottom panel off is pretty easy. It is the first one that comes off. A new panel will be the best fix. You will need a power staple gun to install it. I used a pneumatic one, but an electric one would probably work. I doubt that a hand powered manual one has enough umph to do it.

    No idea on the cost of the panels.
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Jul 29, 2015
    The problem is not the jack that is twisting of the frame. You have the weight of the axles and tires pulling down the middle while you try to lift the end of the frame.

    You need to put boards or leveling blocks under the tires so the TT is level from side to side. Then use the tongue jack for leveling front to back. When the TT sits level on its wheels and tongue jack, then you can tweak and stabilize with the jacks or block etc.
  • Doug33's avatar
    Doug33
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2015
    I'm going to make sure I don't do this when I set up my TT this Saturday for a month's stay at a CG. I'm going to try use blocks under the frame instead.
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Jul 29, 2015
    I know the feeling, I gave my rear jack a few hard cranks to level out the corner and the door lock would not latch.

    There is a lot of flex in a TT frame.

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