Re: Twisted Frame around slide out.

If they acted like it was normal, then you didn't explain yourself well enough or they just didn't understand the extent of the damage.

As long as you haven't burned any bridges, I would try again. Play the game. Tell them that you tried jacking as suggested and that did not resolve the issue. Tell them that you think the camper might be damaged worse than you thought. Offer to send pictures.

Not sure if insurance will be of much help as the damage was self-inflicted.

Assuming you have insurance, I think it would be time to use it.

My Ram rear is up pretty high and I always had to make sure the TC was up high enough to clear. It's hard to imagine the type of damage you're reporting. Some pics would help? I know that my AF990 had a very flexible opening at the slide. Just raising the camper unevenly would change the shape of the slide-out opening. Good luck with the repair.

Ok, I'm not blaming this on Northwood. I screwed up. I should have jacked it up higher, (apparently in retrospect), and it might not have caught. The truck was about half way out from under the camper when it caught and started to drag the camper. I was as surprised as anyone. My problem with Northwood goes deeper and I don't think that they allow griping on this forum. All I will say is that in 2003 I bought a five year old Lance 945. I had that until 2013 when I had a blow out and totaled the truck, camper and tow jeep. I never had a complaint with the Lance. In the 18 months I have had numerous complaints with the AF and some were addressed others were not and I am not happy with their products. If you wish a more specific complaint list you can email me at macdale4@earthlink.net.
I believe that the entire frame is racked. I have a buckle along the opposite side of the slide along the cab over part. When I talked to Northwood, they thought that it was a normal thing and that I should jack it up unevenly until the slide would work. @#$#%!% is what I thought of their response.

mkirsch wrote:
I'm curious as to how far you dragged it across the floor. If my camper even twitches while I'm backing under or pulling away, I STOP, jump out, and thoroughly investigate everything to see if there's a problem.

X2

usmcshepherd wrote:
Thanks BuzzCut…that's one I haven't figured out yet:)!

when you post, go to the advanced posting option. There is an Icon in a box with a piece of chain link (aha, the linking option) click that to create clicky links.

Thanks BuzzCut…that's one I haven't figured out yet:)!

If the slide out frame is racked, I'd be surprised that physics could allow that to happen without the camper frame itself racking. My dollar in the pool would be on it being potentially totaled.

I'm curious as to how far you dragged it across the floor. If my camper even twitches while I'm backing under or pulling away, I STOP, jump out, and thoroughly investigate everything to see if there's a problem.

brholt wrote:
Any pictures? How out of alignment is It? Trying to "twist the frame" back sounds somewhat feasible if it isn't too far twisted.

Still trying to picture how this happened (so I don't want to make the same mistake)

My thought: Turning the truck and wedging the base of the TC between the wheel wells is possible. Arctic Fox uses "sub" wings where the floor starts above the the wheel wells - These can also get caught on the tailgate opening if you are trying to turn the truck while unloading.

I don't see this as a manufacturing or factory issue, but I do see them being the only ones to properly fix a bent frame.