NOBO 19.5 interior shakes

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by richlboston

It may be normal for Forest River but that is not what they said when we bought it. NOBO stands for no boundaries, more clearance means you can take off paved roads, which we have never done.

RV marketing BS.

[davidsongreg]

It has nothing to do with tire pressure, balanced wheels, or single axle. The reason everything comes apart when you drive is because it's A NOBO. I have a 16.7 Nobo and had the same issues until I put backers behind every screw in the interior. You can search back for a thread in which myself and a few other Nobo owners discuss the poor workmanship on these campers. On a positive note, once you work thorough all the initial issus (which are many), it's a good camper. It was just A LOT of work getting it there.

[Daddio camper]

Backers? Do you mean loktite?

[davidsongreg]

No, I meant inserts where they just drive screws into the 1/8" wallboard.

[davidsongreg]

If you want to read what you really need to do to these campers.... Scroll down a bit and read what stephenatts had to say
https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f253/nobo-quality-242188.html

[Daddio camper]

Originally Posted by davidsongreg

If you want to read what you really need to do to these campers.... Scroll down a bit and read what stephenatts had to say
https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ty-242188.html

Thanks,
That’s a very good plan of action. I have owned TT’s for thirty years and this one is my first single axle trailer. I was just wondering if that was it.
I’m used to tightening, replacing screws and general maintenance. I have a good tool box filled with caulk, glue, and screws.
I tend to keep my TT’s for years.

[Daddio camper]

Originally Posted by davidsongreg

No, I meant inserts where they just drive screws into the 1/8" wallboard.

Ahhh, that makes sense.

[gw1800]

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

Are the tires balanced?

There will be a lot of arguments about balancing trailer tires. Most will say they don't need balanced since you cannot feel the vibration. Even my tire shop said they never balance trailer tires (I insisted that they do it), then explained why I wanted it done. If it rolls down the road, balance it!

[NavyLCDR]

Originally Posted by gw1800

There will be a lot of arguments about balancing trailer tires. Most will say they don't need balanced since you cannot feel the vibration. Even my tire shop said they never balance trailer tires (I insisted that they do it), then explained why I wanted it done. If it rolls down the road, balance it!

There is absolutely nothing to be gained by not balancing them except for a few $$$ if the tire place charges extra for balancing when mounting them.

[Daddio camper]

Originally Posted by gw1800

There will be a lot of arguments about balancing trailer tires. Most will say they don't need balanced since you cannot feel the vibration. Even my tire shop said they never balance trailer tires (I insisted that they do it), then explained why I wanted it done. If it rolls down the road, balance it!

I see no downside to balancing the tires other than a small cost and getting the trailer to the shop. I’m doing it this week.
Thanks for the input. Happy trails.

[Daddio camper]

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

There is absolutely nothing to be gained by not balancing them except for a few $$$ if the tire place charges extra for balancing when mounting them.

Going to get it done this week. I totally agree. Small $$, potential big upside.
Thanks.

[pcsdpo]

Originally Posted by Daddio camper

We too have this issues you describe. I had to disassemble the rain gutter on the main door and reposition it to get the door to close right. Does anyone else have these issues?

We purchased a 2020 NoBo 19.5 new. Not addressing the assumed bouncing problem here, only the design/build problems with the trailer.
Furnace - Face kept losing the provided screws on the faceplate (Seems that only have one diameter #8? screws in their hardware supply). I ended up screwing it on with I think #10 or maybe even #12 pan head sheet metal screws (which have deeper threads and larger heads) and that's been holding it steady. I think there were the same screws holding the furnace in place, and I upgraded those also. Where threads are stripped in the (balsa?) wood, I've "strengthened" the wood fibers in the hole with superglue (or a glue of your choice which is thin enough to penetrate the fibers to reinforce them.)
Microwave/Convection Oven - The problem we had with that was that the outlet that it plugged into (you have to pull out the oven to find that outlet) wasn't retaining the plug and it would vibrate out. I took several shots at this and finally repositioned the outlet and used cable ties to hold the cord & plug in the outlet. I've not had problems with the microwave sliding out, although I've probably unscrewed and screwed the screws at least a half dozen times while fixing the problem. You could try using the same technique used above for the furnace.
No hinge problems on bathroom door.
We do have an ongoing problem with the entry door to the trailer. "As delivered" (and "as ignored" repair requests to the dealer and Forest River ) the door wouldn't stay deadbolted and locked during travel from the day we towed it home from the dealer. The problem ended up being that the strike plate on the door frame did not have a mortised space behind the plate to allow the door latch or deadbolt to fully lock. I ended up using a router to mortise the hole for the latch and deadbolt. To this day, the door requires a lot of finesse, strength, pushing and pulling to get it to open and to close. Forest River deferred to Lippert (door & frame manufacturer) and Lippert had no skin in the game and couldn't even send me the correct strike plate. I also had to "relieve" the "friction hinges" on the door because they were so hard to close, that also contributed to the door closing and opening problem.
We generally tow the unit on paved roads, but we've also taken it places where you wouldn't take your passenger car. We've not had many problems with things getting thrown about, except when the trailer loaders (us) forgot to secure things as they should be.

[Daddio camper]

Originally Posted by pcsdpo

We purchased a 2020 NoBo 19.5 new. Not addressing the assumed bouncing problem here, only the design/build problems with the trailer.
Furnace - Face kept losing the provided screws on the faceplate (Seems that only have one diameter #8? screws in their hardware supply). I ended up screwing it on with I think #10 or maybe even #12 pan head sheet metal screws (which have deeper threads and larger heads) and that's been holding it steady. I think there were the same screws holding the furnace in place, and I upgraded those also. Where threads are stripped in the (balsa?) wood, I've "strengthened" the wood fibers in the hole with superglue (or a glue of your choice which is thin enough to penetrate the fibers to reinforce them.)
Microwave/Convection Oven - The problem we had with that was that the outlet that it plugged into (you have to pull out the oven to find that outlet) wasn't retaining the plug and it would vibrate out. I took several shots at this and finally repositioned the outlet and used cable ties to hold the cord & plug in the outlet. I've not had problems with the microwave sliding out, although I've probably unscrewed and screwed the screws at least a half dozen times while fixing the problem. You could try using the same technique used above for the furnace.
No hinge problems on bathroom door.
We do have an ongoing problem with the entry door to the trailer. "As delivered" (and "as ignored" repair requests to the dealer and Forest River ) the door wouldn't stay deadbolted and locked during travel from the day we towed it home from the dealer. The problem ended up being that the strike plate on the door frame did not have a mortised space behind the plate to allow the door latch or deadbolt to fully lock. I ended up using a router to mortise the hole for the latch and deadbolt. To this day, the door requires a lot of finesse, strength, pushing and pulling to get it to open and to close. Forest River deferred to Lippert (door & frame manufacturer) and Lippert had no skin in the game and couldn't even send me the correct strike plate. I also had to "relieve" the "friction hinges" on the door because they were so hard to close, that also contributed to the door closing and opening problem.
We generally tow the unit on paved roads, but we've also taken it places where you wouldn't take your passenger car. We've not had many problems with things getting thrown about, except when the trailer loaders (us) forgot to secure things as they should be.

That door has been problematic. I had to remove the rain gutter and bend it out and upward to facilitate closure. I used bidder screws on the upper hinges because the original ones were backing out. I lubed up the friction hinges because they were just too tight. That’s an ongoing issue. I may just replace them with normal hinges.
I’m going to get the tires spin balenced, as others had suggested and see if that makes any difference.
Thanks Fiordland the info.
Chris.

[Daddio camper]

Per many recommendations in this group, I went to the tire store to balance my TT tires. Upon inspection the tires were cupped. I did not notice this before and replaced the tires with some new Goodyears. I paid special attention to the height of tires as it would affect the closure of the door. It’s only 1/3 inch lower.
Thanks for all your help.
Chris.

[Daddio camper]

New tires. Yes I ditched the off-road look as I will do very little off road activity.

[gw1800]

Originally Posted by Daddio camper

New tires. Yes I ditched the off-road look as I will do very little off road activity.

Those are the same tires I have. Noticed a big difference in the smooth ride immediately.

Your cupping may have been due to being unbalanced.

[Daddio camper]

Originally Posted by gw1800

Those are the same tires I have. Noticed a big difference in the smooth ride immediately.

Your cupping may have been due to being unbalanced.

That’s what I suspected. We’ll see.