camper shell

[jay_b]

Hello everyone,
Newbie to travel trailers just bought my first one have a problem who would have thought.I thought i would ask some people who might know what to do and how to do it.I have a travel trailer that when I tow it the shell separates from the frame in the front.It does have some water damage in the front storage area, but the bolts in the flooring seem to be firm.Any and all input would be helpful kids are itching to go camping but want to be safe.palomino Thoroughbred 01

[sacmarata]

If yer correcting someones grammar so you can better understand the point or question they are posing then it's perfectly fine. If your correcting it for any other reason yer just a dork nozzle and come off as a condescending jerk.

Have we gotten so intolerant that we can't even allow poor grammer without being condescending? ...and YES, it is VERY condescending. Teachers are supposed to demonstrate practical life skills as well as Reading, Writing and Arithmitic. I would submit that treating others in a non condescending way is much more valuable in life than proper grammar.

Now, to yer question. The known water damage is VERY likely to be worse than you expected. I would highly recommend a complete investigation. Look in storage areas, under vinyl, under seats, cabinets, beds, etc...

Moisture is our enemy!
Dork Nozzles are not 🙂

[jay_b]

Well the whole floor is shot going to put a new one in:S

[westend]

You may be able to diagnose and inspect any bad framing by using a "jacking post" and a bottle jack. This will also come in handy when replacing the framing. What I do in that regard is to make a "T" with 2x4 lumber, the top cross piece is long enough to span three ceiling joists (approximately 36"). The upright is long enough so that a bottle jack and plywood can be put underneath the upright for jacking. I also attach a diagonal brace from the upright to the top cross piece for stability.

Don't get too crazy by applying too much pressure with the jacking post. It's possible to detach the roof or separate the wall with one of these.

Good luck and, if you can, post up some photos for better advice.

[2012Coleman]

jay b wrote:
Yes I understand the way I write is not correct sorry.but you guys are great, looking forward to making new friends live,love and learn. Don't worry I've got thick skin (lol)

Good - your going to need it around here. And since others are being so helpful, let me point out the ignore feature of this forum. Simply click on their user name link and click block this member. It can be very useful. Good luck grtting your issue sorted.

[dannytas]

It would serve everyone well to "answer" the post rather than "criticize" it's structure.

[jay_b]

Yes I understand the way I write is not correct sorry.but you guys are great, looking forward to making new friends live,love and learn. Don't worry I've got thick skin (lol)

[ChooChooMan74]

Bumpyroad wrote:

'tiredTeacher wrote:

jay b wrote:
I have a travel trailer that when I tow it the shell separates from the frame in the front.

Judging from the OP's post title, I thought he's refering to the camper shell on the tow vehicle.
Inaccuracy of expression leads to misunderstanding every time. Makes an old English teacher's brain hurt.

Teach

I think that he inaccurately expressed how the trailer top was raising up from the rotten front. but he has not come back to clarify anything.
bumpy

I wouldn't come back after you guys making fun of his English and Grammar. Yes, it was a tough read, but some people are not the best at that stuff.

[Bumpyroad]

'tiredTeacher wrote:

jay b wrote:
I have a travel trailer that when I tow it the shell separates from the frame in the front.

Judging from the OP's post title, I thought he's refering to the camper shell on the tow vehicle.
Inaccuracy of expression leads to misunderstanding every time. Makes an old English teacher's brain hurt.

Teach

I think that he inaccurately expressed how the trailer top was raising up from the rotten front. but he has not come back to clarify anything.
bumpy

[GrandpaKip]

Have a strong friend stand inside at the front and push on the ceiling. Look around outside to see if anything is happening.
Good luck.

[_tiredTeacher]

jay b wrote:
I have a travel trailer that when I tow it the shell separates from the frame in the front.

Judging from the OP's post title, I thought he's refering to the camper shell on the tow vehicle.
Inaccuracy of expression leads to misunderstanding every time. Makes an old English teacher's brain hurt.

Teach

[Bumpyroad]

Francesca Knowles wrote:
Welcome to the site, and here, for your use, I'm donating some things known in many quarters as "periods":..............They're commonly used to indicate the end of one thought/sentence and are usually followed by a space, after which a whole new sentence/thought/point begins. Hope you find them useful! And by the way; each new thought/sentence is usually capitalized. Helps as a heads up to the reader...

Now to your problem, as well as I can parse it: .

should also have donated some s p a c e s .
bumpy

[ChooChooMan74]

You have an '01 Palomino Thoroughbred and the body of the trailer is separating from the frame? Sounds like it has more water damage than you can imagine.

[westend]

The framing inside the walls has rotted away from the floor. If you hit a big enough gust of headwind when transporting, it will be easy to see because the deck will be hooked up to your truck but the shell will be laying on the road.

[Francesca_Knowl]

Welcome to the site, and here, for your use, I'm donating some things known in many quarters as "periods":..............They're commonly used to indicate the end of one thought/sentence and are usually followed by a space, after which a whole new sentence/thought/point begins. Hope you find them useful! And by the way; each new thought/sentence is usually capitalized. Helps as a heads up to the reader...

ON EDIT:
This English Major would like to thank the O.P. for the threadstarter edit which makes very thorough use of the above-donated punctuation.

Go to the head of the class, O.P.! 😉



Now to your problem, as well as I can parse it:

If the shell appears to be separating from the frame in spite of firmly attached bolts, clearly new points of attachment must be found. Those bolts aren't holding anything but themselves on if the trailer shell is moving around while the rig is in motion.