Forum Discussion

Sgould's avatar
Sgould
Explorer
Feb 14, 2014

Did I screw up my frame?

New to the forum and would like some advice. I recently purchased a fleetwood wilderness 295bhds 32' fifth wheel. I absolutely love the camper, so much so I had the slides out as soon as she was home (in the rain). We are getting snow soon so I wanted to bring the slides in to avoid that whole mess. I wanted to clear the water from the top so I decided to use the front gear to lift her up a tad to make the water run off the slides, controversial I know. So I did so. The only problem is that I forgot to raise the rear stabilizer jacks. When the camper was almost all the way extended it made a loud pop/bang noise. It was hard to tell if it was from the axels, front jack, or somewhere else. I immediately remembered the rear jacks and brought them up. I went on and got another loud crack/ pop this time not as loud. At this point the trailer is not crazy high in the front or anything. The water ran off and I pulled the slides in without issue. No noticeable cracks on the xterior or interior. Also did a quick sweep of the fram pe and it looks ok. I then had to run to work. Needless to say my mind is running wild. I fear that I have damaged the frame or something major. I am hoping it was just a slide adjustment or leaf spring noise? I have no clue really. Do you think I did any real damage? Thx for any help.

Steve G
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Feb 14, 2014
    You didn't damaged the frame - so relax (some) ;)
    The popping could have been from the landing gear, the leaf spring or less likely, the rear jacks or ?
    Does everything still work fine? Landing gear extends and retracts?
  • lakeside013104's avatar
    lakeside013104
    Explorer
    Feb 14, 2014
    I would sooner think that the rear stabilizers were "talking" to you due to the excessive strain that you were applying to them by raising your front landing gear while the rears were extended down. Check to see if the rears extend and retract without binding and or making any kind of weird noises.

    This is the first lesson of many you will have as an RVer. No problem, we have all had many types of booboo experiences and there will be others to come. Learn by your mistakes and be sure to ask and tell of your experiences on this RV.net forum.

    Probably in the future it would be just as easy for you to retract your slides normally and let the slide seals sweep any excess water off. That is what they are designed for. In case of “solid’ debris, pine needles, branches, leaves, or pine cones, it would be best to manually sweep these off with a broom before retracting your slides. Happy camping to you.

    Lakeside
  • copeland343's avatar
    copeland343
    Explorer
    Feb 14, 2014
    Been there done that. Probably just rear stabilizers making noise run them up and down a few times to check them.
  • I_am_still_wayn's avatar
    I_am_still_wayn
    Explorer
    Feb 14, 2014
    You are OK! RELAX! You obviously put some strain on some component and it was talking back! All is well I am sure.
  • SDcampowneroper's avatar
    SDcampowneroper
    Explorer
    Feb 14, 2014
    Take a look at the spring shackles, its possible the front axle shackles 'dropped' on the equalizer and a then flipped back up when you raised the rear stabs. no harm.
  • Sgould's avatar
    Sgould
    Explorer
    Feb 14, 2014
    Thanks a ton you guys! Feeling like a real dingus, lesson learned. Everything appears to be functioning fine , I will check the rear jacks when I get home. Also tires were not of my trade. This Rv has hiway master st 235 80r 16 D. Should I stick with this brand? Any help is great, hope I'm not wearing out my welcome hahaha
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Feb 15, 2014
    lakeside013104 wrote:
    I would sooner think that the rear stabilizers were "talking" to you due to the excessive strain that you were applying to them by raising your front landing gear while the rears were extended down. Check to see if the rears extend and retract without binding and or making any kind of weird noises.

    This is the first lesson of many you will have as an RVer. No problem, we have all had many types of booboo experiences and there will be others to come. Learn by your mistakes and be sure to ask and tell of your experiences on this RV.net forum.

    Probably in the future it would be just as easy for you to retract your slides normally and let the slide seals sweep any excess water off. That is what they are designed for. In case of “solid’ debris, pine needles, branches, leaves, or pine cones, it would be best to manually sweep these off with a broom before retracting your slides. Happy camping to you.

    Lakeside


    X2

    IS this a New trailer with NEW tires?
    Yes....run those tires for 2 yrs. then upgrade to LT Load Range 'E'

    'New' to you but a used trailer......check the DOT tire date (on inside sidewall----4 digit number. First 2 are week/second 2 are year of mfg. EX: 3713 37th week of 2013)
    If they are 2 yrs or older.....upgrade to LT Load Range 'E'
  • We_Cant_Wait's avatar
    We_Cant_Wait
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2014
    Raising the nose of a TT/5th whl/MH is pretty much common practice to dump water off the top of a slide before closing the slide to prevent water running down the slide wall once the slide is closed and soaking the carpets etc.
  • Sgould's avatar
    Sgould
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2014
    Power king tow max, are these tires any good?





    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    lakeside013104 wrote:
    I would sooner think that the rear stabilizers were "talking" to you due to the excessive strain that you were applying to them by raising your front landing gear while the rears were extended down. Check to see if the rears extend and retract without binding and or making any kind of weird noises.

    This is the first lesson of many you will have as an RVer. No problem, we have all had many types of booboo experiences and there will be others to come. Learn by your mistakes and be sure to ask and tell of your experiences on this RV.net forum.

    Probably in the future it would be just as easy for you to retract your slides normally and let the slide seals sweep any excess water off. That is what they are designed for. In case of “solid’ debris, pine needles, branches, leaves, or pine cones, it would be best to manually sweep these off with a broom before retracting your slides. Happy camping to you.

    Lakeside




    X2

    IS this a New trailer with NEW tires?
    Yes....run those tires for 2 yrs. then upgrade to LT Load Range 'E'

    'New' to you but a used trailer......check the DOT tire date (on inside sidewall----4 digit number. First 2 are week/second 2 are year of mfg. EX: 3713 37th week of 2013)
    If they are 2 yrs or older.....upgrade to LT Load Range 'E'

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