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06-18-2012, 06:56 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 46
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Georgetown side wall bolts sheared off- and a fix!
Well i never thought this could happen. While driving this weekend I noticed my dashboard seemed to be bouncing more than it should be? Imagine my surprise when I looked over to the passenger sidewall and saw the wall moving up and down with every bump or roll in the road. The sidewall was completely free of the frame. The next exit had a lowes so I pulled in, took the trim off the side and tried to unscrew the bolts. They were all free spinning and I could only get one out. There were six bolts from the front of the cab to the door, all them sheared off. The most surprising thing to me is the size screws they use, 1/4x20 self tapping screws counter sunk through the fiberglass framing into the chassis frame. I feel that is much to small to support a wall with no interior support. I guess I am upgrading. 2008 georgetown 350tsse.
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06-18-2012, 08:28 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 81
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What are you going to get?
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06-18-2012, 09:34 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,948
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric52
Well i never thought this could happen. While driving this weekend I noticed my dashboard seemed to be bouncing more than it should be? Imagine my surprise when I looked over to the passenger sidewall and saw the wall moving up and down with every bump or roll in the road. The sidewall was completely free of the frame. The next exit had a lowes so I pulled in, took the trim off the side and tried to unscrew the bolts. They were all free spinning and I could only get one out. There were six bolts from the front of the cab to the door, all them sheared off. The most surprising thing to me is the size screws they use, 1/4x20 self tapping screws counter sunk through the fiberglass framing into the chassis frame. I feel that is much to small to support a wall with no interior support. I guess I am upgrading. 2008 georgetown 350tsse.
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You don't have fiberglass framing but aluminum framing.
So what you are saying is the inner wall on the passenger side came loose from the frame in the wall.
So now what are you going to do?
I would consider wht the motorhome is making the walls shake and come loose. What type of roads do yo drive?
When was the tires balanced or rotated especially on the right side.
Are you the original owner?
How many miles on the rig?
Like to hear more.
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06-18-2012, 09:48 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 247
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iggy
You don't have fiberglass framing but aluminum framing.
So what you are saying is the inner wall on the passenger side came loose from the frame in the wall.
So now what are you going to do?
I would consider wht the motorhome is making the walls shake and come loose. What type of roads do yo drive?
When was the tires balanced or rotated especially on the right side.
Are you the original owner?
How many miles on the rig?
Like to hear more.
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The wall coming loose with the vehicle in transit is inexcusable. These vehicles are made to be driven. It doesn't matter if he is off-roading with square tires, the build quality should be better. His rig is less than five years old and he shouldn't be having to re-attach the wall.
__________________
Mike in Tennessee
Former 2 time FR owner
2007 Crossroads Cruiser 30QB Fifth Wheel
2008 F-250 Lariat 4x4 6.4 Powerstroke
Firestone Ride-Rites w/cab control
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06-19-2012, 06:20 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 46
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iggy
You don't have fiberglass framing but aluminum framing.
So what you are saying is the inner wall on the passenger side came loose from the frame in the wall.
So now what are you going to do?
I would consider wht the motorhome is making the walls shake and come loose. What type of roads do yo drive?
When was the tires balanced or rotated especially on the right side.
Are you the original owner?
How many miles on the rig?
Like to hear more.
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I didn't think I would have to explain that there is aluminum framing in the sidewall. Fiberglass framing? Never heard of it.
I am saying the sidewall interior & exterior have fallen off the chassis and was hanging in the wind. It was moving at least 3 to 4 inches. When I crawled under to see what was happening the wall had dropped about an inch. The door trim even popped off.
I feel like it should be carriage bolted thru the frame with at least 3/8". That is what I intend on doing.
Original owner, from new.
12,000 miles
Southeast PA. If u don't live in the area I can't explain how crappy the roads are in this part of the country. Still no excuse in my opinion.
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06-19-2012, 06:30 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,948
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric52
I didn't think I would have to explain that there is aluminum framing in the sidewall. Fiberglass framing? Never heard of it.
I am saying the sidewall interior & exterior have fallen off the chassis and was hanging in the wind. It was moving at least 3 to 4 inches. When I crawled under to see what was happening the wall had dropped about an inch. The door trim even popped off.
I feel like it should be carriage bolted thru the frame with at least 3/8". That is what I intend on doing.
Original owner, from new.
12,000 miles
Southeast PA. If u don't live in the area I can't explain how crappy the roads are in this part of the country. Still no excuse in my opinion.
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You siad in your original message
" counter sunk through the fiberglass framing into the chassis frame"
I just wanted to make sure what youare talking about.
Good luck
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06-19-2012, 06:59 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 312
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Wow that's scarey Eric52. You should post some pictures, it would be interesting to see what you're seeing.
__________________
2008 Georgetown SE 350DS BunkHouse
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06-21-2012, 01:12 PM
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#8
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Don
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Rockford Area Illinois
Posts: 59
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I purchased a new 2011 George 360. Hope I don't have that issue. You coming to the FROG rally in August ? Wonder what Forest River would think ....
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06-21-2012, 02:23 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Berlin , MARYLAND
Posts: 134
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Good luck
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07-07-2012, 09:02 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 46
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Ripped the floor out 12" from the sidewall and exposed the floor frame. Next I will have to jack the sidewall up to the original location and then drill through the wall and the frame and bolt it together. Using 3/8x16x5"stainless steel machine head phillips screws with stainless steel nylocks nuts. My countersink bit showed up yesterday but it is 103 degrees in PA. so I am in a holding pattern. By the way I am doing both the passengers side and the drivers side. I will also replace the existing carpet with 12x12 vinyl tiles. I have already done this up to the drivers cockpit. I will post some photos soon.
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07-08-2012, 03:01 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 46
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Got the floor opened all the way today. I choose to hole saw the drivers side to access the frame. It was alot easier. Good solid frame work. Nice job there. Bolts on the driver side already are rusted. Glad I choose the stainless steel. You can see the screws I used next to factory.
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07-08-2012, 03:59 PM
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#12
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Too old to be too smart
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: La La Land
Posts: 439
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That looks real professional, though it WAS "professionals" who built it to the "factory standard".
Wouldn't you rather be called a "craftsman", anyway?
Nice work!
It's just unfortunate that you had to do it at all.
But at least it's RIGHT, now!
Again, nice!
Pop
__________________
Terry 250RKS, perfect for the two of us and the pups.
2000 F-350 7.3L CC/LB 4WD Lariat 3.73's
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07-09-2012, 07:29 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 92
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I agree with SpringerPop. Thanks for sharing the pics.
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07-09-2012, 04:44 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: vero beach fl
Posts: 149
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....and we keep buying this crap.
I guess its out fault.
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07-15-2012, 10:49 AM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 46
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Finished up the interior and exterior yesterday. Since we primarily use our camper for motocross racing 20+ weekends a year.I decided to use interlocking garage tiles for the cockpit. I have already replaced that crappy carpet in the lining area with the vinyl tiles u see in the photo. Just have a little trim work left to do.
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07-15-2012, 11:05 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,570
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric52
Finished up the interior and exterior yesterday. Since we primarily use our camper for motocross racing 20+ weekends a year.I decided to use interlocking garage tiles for the cockpit. I have already replaced that crappy carpet in the lining area with the vinyl tiles u see in the photo. Just have a little trim work left to do.
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Beautiful job, do you build Arks?
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07-15-2012, 11:52 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 653
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Nice work! As a motocross family ourselves, I think a lot of people would cringe if they saw some of the places we have to drive these things! Maybe if we took somebody from FF with us it would help up some of the quality in certain places on motorhomes. Any more there are more motorhomes in the pits at motocross races then there are at the local KOA! All in all I don't have any huge complaints, the Sunseeker has been a workhorse!
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07-15-2012, 12:03 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 46
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MotocrossCamper
Nice work! As a motocross family ourselves, I think a lot of people would cringe if they saw some of the places we have to drive these things! Maybe if we took somebody from FF with us it would help up some of the quality in certain places on motorhomes. Any more there are more motorhomes in the pits at motocross races then there are at the local KOA! All in all I don't have any huge complaints, the Sunseeker has been a workhorse!
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We were on our way to Budds Creek national when this happened. We still managed to get there. And had a great weekend. Btw we also hit a car hood laying on the Balt/Washington beltway the same night. That ripped the enclosed trailer fender off. Never saw it again.
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07-15-2012, 01:54 PM
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#19
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,518
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Great thread and very informative.
The photos really tell the story.
Thanks for sharing.
I'm wondering about the thread title--- just Alert doesn't do it
justice.
What should we call it so others will be able to find it when needed.
Georgetown wall to frame bolts sheared?
Something else??
Let's come up with an informative title and I'll edit to change it.
Thanks again for the photos. They really make this post worth reading!
__________________
Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
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07-16-2012, 02:22 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 46
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How about sidewall bolts sheared off.
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