Finishing up a repair project on the Truck Camper today. Apparently the front right corner where the lifting jack attaches had prior mechanical damage. For the repair, I fabricated and welded a steel corner bracket that will lift from the bottom and not just the sides as before. The prior repair relied on a bunch of auto body repair bondo up to 3/8" thick as a backer for the jack. It now has a solid metal and fiberglass repair backing the jack which will also work to keep the area more water tight. I also fabricated a 12"X24" piece of aluminum sheet diamond plate to glue and screw over the outside wall of the camper to increase the wall strength. Going to add a couple drip rails to deflect water away from penetrations on the camper like the fridge outside cover, window openings, and other openings.
The corner jack bracket is attached by drilling holes through the diamond plate and the steel corner lifting bracket under it all, then into the wood which was also repaired by injecting gorilla water proof urethane glue into the old holes then forcing wood plugs into the holes to restore the wood and attachment strength of the holes.
This was the beginning when I discovered a previous repair to the corner jack mount location. The earlier repair cut away the TC filon and the plywood wall beneath it. The area was then filled with bondo and called good.
This shows the corner lifting bracket I welded together fabed from a Simpson 12" T bracket bended into a corner bracket. only needed a vice and hammer to get the bracket shaped and an Oxy/Acetylene torch to weld 6". The weld survived a hammer test.
I repaired the TC siding with epoxy resin and fiberglass matting. I built it up to flush with multiple layers of epoxy and glass matting. No pictures. I then cut the diamond plate to fit around the water connection box and partially around the fridge access panel. I pretty well coated the entire back of the diamond plate with RV Caulk and fastened it with 1" #10 SS screws about every 2 inches. Some were 1 1/4" length. Very solid now compared to how it was.
This is the diamond plate installed.
Close shot of the water connection box.
The underside finished. Hard to see because stuff is painted black.
Finished!
Finished!
Finished!
The result is VERY solid. There is no TC skin distortion during lifting like there used to be. Grabbing and push/pull testing the jack leg shows no movement. Very pleased with this repair.
Helper Cat Charlie.
Charlie has been working out and losing weight since he was diagnosed with diabetes. His blood glucose number has steadily declined as he lost weight and started a healthier diet. Since improving his life, Charlie has improved to the point he hasn't needed any insulin for 14 days now. Good boy Charlie!
The corner jack bracket is attached by drilling holes through the diamond plate and the steel corner lifting bracket under it all, then into the wood which was also repaired by injecting gorilla water proof urethane glue into the old holes then forcing wood plugs into the holes to restore the wood and attachment strength of the holes.
This was the beginning when I discovered a previous repair to the corner jack mount location. The earlier repair cut away the TC filon and the plywood wall beneath it. The area was then filled with bondo and called good.
This shows the corner lifting bracket I welded together fabed from a Simpson 12" T bracket bended into a corner bracket. only needed a vice and hammer to get the bracket shaped and an Oxy/Acetylene torch to weld 6". The weld survived a hammer test.
I repaired the TC siding with epoxy resin and fiberglass matting. I built it up to flush with multiple layers of epoxy and glass matting. No pictures. I then cut the diamond plate to fit around the water connection box and partially around the fridge access panel. I pretty well coated the entire back of the diamond plate with RV Caulk and fastened it with 1" #10 SS screws about every 2 inches. Some were 1 1/4" length. Very solid now compared to how it was.
This is the diamond plate installed.
Close shot of the water connection box.
The underside finished. Hard to see because stuff is painted black.
Finished!
Finished!
Finished!
The result is VERY solid. There is no TC skin distortion during lifting like there used to be. Grabbing and push/pull testing the jack leg shows no movement. Very pleased with this repair.
Helper Cat Charlie.
Charlie has been working out and losing weight since he was diagnosed with diabetes. His blood glucose number has steadily declined as he lost weight and started a healthier diet. Since improving his life, Charlie has improved to the point he hasn't needed any insulin for 14 days now. Good boy Charlie!
