Rear wall fix done today

DonandPatti · 07-17-2020, 06:41 PM

Thanks to Rynosback I did the fix today to my back wall. Hopefully it will do the trick -- only time will tell.

I went with (4) brackets since I would reach them fairly easily. Now I just have to put all that stuff back in there.

This forum is a real help for us DRV owners who are DIY'ers.

Don
Maryland

GTM41261 · 07-17-2020, 07:04 PM

Well I guess I better start thinking about doing that myself. Strictly preventative as I,m showing no signs of movement.

rynosback · 07-17-2020, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonandPatti

Thanks to Rynosback I did the fix today to my back wall. Hopefully it will do the trick -- only time will tell.

I went with (4) brackets since I would reach them fairly easily. Now I just have to put all that stuff back in there.

This forum is a real help for us DRV owners who are DIY'ers.

Don
Maryland

Glad that my write-up helped you Don. Did you install backing for the screws for the side rails also? I thought about doing 4, but thought that three of them glued and screwed should keep it from moving. But it does not hurt to even give it more enforcement.

DonandPatti · 07-17-2020, 11:17 PM

Yes, I had done the side rails before. I also used Gorilla glue on the screws — that stuff works great.

Don

GTM41261 · 07-18-2020, 04:07 PM

Well I figured what the heck and jumped in yesterday afternoon and added a couple braces as a preventative fix. I found a couple heavy duty pre-drilled L brackets that fit nicely then drilled and bolted from both the top and bottom. Each bracket is about 18" from center.

The repair itself wasn't that bad and probably would not of taken more than a few hours if I didn't have to make a few trips to the hardware store and my house for extra tools and supplies. Unfortunately I have to store the unit in a covered storage lot. No room at home.

Gary

rynosback · 07-19-2020, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTM41261

Well I figured what the heck and jumped in yesterday afternoon and added a couple braces as a preventative fix. I found a couple heavy duty pre-drilled L brackets that fit nicely then drilled and bolted from both the top and bottom. Each bracket is about 18" from center.

The repair itself wasn't that bad and probably would not of taken more than a few hours if I didn't have to make a few trips to the hardware store and my house for extra tools and supplies. Unfortunately I have to store the unit in a covered storage lot. No room at home.

Gary

How did you get bolts from the inside of the base plate?

DonandPatti · 07-19-2020, 04:53 PM

yea, my question as well

Don

GTM41261 · 07-19-2020, 04:54 PM

Ryno. Well it was tight but I drilled through the bottom plate of the wall and used 1.1/2 X 5/16 bolts with fender washers. There was just enough room to work by feel with my fingers to drop the bolt in from the top. I was able to get a box end wrench on the bolt then ran the nuts tight with the trusty 1/4 drive Dewalt impact driver.

rynosback · 07-19-2020, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTM41261

Ryno. Well it was tight but I drilled through the bottom plate of the wall and used 1.1/2 X 5/16 bolts with fender washers. There was just enough room to work by feel with my fingers to drop the bolt in from the top. I was able to get a box end wrench on the bolt then ran the nuts tight with the trusty 1/4 drive Dewalt impact driver.

Did you drill through any wood blocks? I as as I know that DRV inserts wood in places where they bolt the studs to the base & top plate. They do this so the studs do not crush, as they are hollow aluminum.

GTM41261 · 07-19-2020, 06:55 PM

No I did not install a wood spacer. My feelings are that the fender washer helps spread out the load. Time will tell

rynosback · 07-19-2020, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTM41261

No I did not install a wood spacer. My feelings are that the fender washer helps spread out the load. Time will tell

I agree that the washers will help spread out the load. You would have known if you drilled through wood. For you to install wood spacers, blocks in the base plate you would have to have pulled the wall structure completely apart (studs and all) in order to insert them.
This video shows what I mean.
Videos - DRV

Here are some screen shots from it.

GTM41261 · 07-19-2020, 09:03 PM

Ok I see what you mean. No I did't hit any wood. I think though with the size of the bracket and how its bolted together it should't move around.

Cummins12V98 · 07-21-2020, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTM41261

Well I guess I better start thinking about doing that myself. Strictly preventative as I,m showing no signs of movement.

Just wait!

Cummins12V98 · 07-21-2020, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTM41261

Ryno. Well it was tight but I drilled through the bottom plate of the wall and used 1.1/2 X 5/16 bolts with fender washers. There was just enough room to work by feel with my fingers to drop the bolt in from the top. I was able to get a box end wrench on the bolt then ran the nuts tight with the trusty 1/4 drive Dewalt impact driver.

Mad skills!

clev · 07-31-2020, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTM41261

Well I figured what the heck and jumped in yesterday afternoon and added a couple braces as a preventative fix. I found a couple heavy duty pre-drilled L brackets that fit nicely then drilled and bolted from both the top and bottom. Each bracket is about 18" from center.

The repair itself wasn't that bad and probably would not of taken more than a few hours if I didn't have to make a few trips to the hardware store and my house for extra tools and supplies. Unfortunately I have to store the unit in a covered storage lot. No room at home.

Gary

Gary can you orient me on your picture. I received my 2017 36RSSB3 in December, 2016, and have towed it at least 20k miles. I am frequently inspecting my unit and fix and tighten as needed, but I have noticed nothing loose on my back cap, and no visible gaps. I may try some preventative maintenance, but the few pictures that I've seen, I cannot determine exactly what I'm looking at.

GTM41261 · 07-31-2020, 12:57 AM

I rotated the picture. The black angle is the frame cross member. The Aluminium is the bottom plate of the rear wall. This is looking up with the spare tire and plastic tub for the spare removed.

clev · 07-31-2020, 01:04 AM

Thanks Gary; that helps. I relocated my spare to a rear carrier and covered the hole with a large sheet of treated plywood. It's sealed, screwed, and painted. I don't think that I'll remove it until I have to.

TheJeep · 08-30-2020, 02:12 PM

Is this a problem on all DRVs? We have a 2020 41RKSB4. I would rather "fix" a common problem before its a problem. Thanks

GTM41261 · 08-30-2020, 04:16 PM

I'm not sure I would say it's a problem on all. Mine is a 2019 36RSSB3 and was showing no signs of the separation mentioned by others. I installed the bracket strictly as a preventative measure as when we go full time in the next 12 to 18 months I won't have all the tools that I normally have available.

Until about maybe six months ago I had not heard of this issue.

Porkchop · 08-30-2020, 07:37 PM

It is a VERY RARE issue. I have only heard of 2 actual victims. But things like this draw a lot of noise. That's good actually so that if you ever do have a problem someone has already found and documented a fix.
And some people just like to keep stirring the pot while crying "the sky is falling."
You may quote me on that.
Good luck on your travels.

Bill

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