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Old 09-29-2024, 08:08 PM   #1
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How often do you get under your trailer and look around

I do it most every trip, before and after. Get my creeper and a flashlight and poke around. It has saved me in the long run. Did the same with my Class C , always some wires needing zip tied .
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Old 09-29-2024, 08:16 PM   #2
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Before every trip and again regularly during trip if an extended one.
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Old 09-29-2024, 09:18 PM   #3
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It doesn’t do any good if you have the plastic sheeting.
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Old 09-29-2024, 09:50 PM   #4
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Even with the plastic, periodic inspection is still important. You can still check suspension components as in cracked and/or broken springs, spring hangers, broken brake wires, bad grease seals, loose wheel bearings etc.
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Old 09-30-2024, 05:55 AM   #5
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I get under ours also just about every use. But about 6 campers over 40 years we do not and never have had an enclosed underbelly. Much to look at on a 42 foot camper .



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Old 09-30-2024, 06:14 AM   #6
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Does kicking your tires count?
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Old 09-30-2024, 06:48 AM   #7
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with the amount of pressure people inflate their tires

DAVE.... Kicking is frowned upon unless you got good health coverage
please inspect ... with a tire iron
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Old 09-30-2024, 08:13 AM   #8
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The suspension bolts need checking.

Torque on them. We had one fall out on the front spring. Cost was about $10,000 for the damage.

Also lug nuts need checking.
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Old 09-30-2024, 08:28 AM   #9
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I crawl under our trailer about 3-4 times per season, looking for broken wiring, loose bolts, clamps, etc. We also have an enclosed underbelly and I really have mixed feelings about that to the point I'm considering removing it.

I don't like not seeing what's going on with tank supports, other wiring, and pipes.
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Old 09-30-2024, 08:29 AM   #10
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It doesn’t do any good if you have the plastic sheeting.
While it's true you can't see much of the "bowels of the dragon" with an enclosed underbelly, it is still very important to inspect the axles, suspension components, electric brake wiring, LP piping, low point drains, drain plumbing, etc.

I'm usually under mine at least once a month and certainly a quick look every trip.
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Old 09-30-2024, 07:07 PM   #11
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Before packing up for every trip and at 5000 on every trip. I put on my grubby clothes and back slide from one end of the trailer to the other.

Before every trip I lift both trailer wheels and give them a spin and check for slop. While down there I check brake wires, all hangers, lp lines, water lines, sewer lines, and make sure the siding is still stapled to the frame.
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Old 10-01-2024, 06:15 AM   #12
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Quote:
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It doesn’t do any good if you have the plastic sheeting.
I have the plastic sheeting, but everything like tanks and wiring/plumbing is exposed and accessible. Good design. Last Spring I looked and found ground hogs had chewed holes through sheeting, which alerted me to a leak I had which saturated the sub floor insulation. Big job, but I fixed it. Having a good driveway and a good creeper is great combo.
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Old 10-07-2024, 07:26 PM   #13
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Also lug nuts need checking.
What he said. (Long story. Don't ask.)
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Old 10-07-2024, 10:38 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ox Brown View Post
I crawl under our trailer about 3-4 times per season, looking for broken wiring, loose bolts, clamps, etc. We also have an enclosed underbelly and I really have mixed feelings about that to the point I'm considering removing it.

I don't like not seeing what's going on with tank supports, other wiring, and pipes.
A suggestion: to give yourself a little more head room while under there, lower the tongue jack to raise the back of the trailer while inspecting that part, and raise the tongue jack all the way up while inspecting the forward section. Yep, learned that way too late into a "painting the under carriage project."
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Old 10-23-2024, 10:47 PM   #15
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Link to check-list with explanation?

Quote:
Originally Posted by BarabooBob View Post
Before packing up for every trip and at 5000 on every trip. I put on my grubby clothes and back slide from one end of the trailer to the other.

Before every trip I lift both trailer wheels and give them a spin and check for slop. While down there I check brake wires, all hangers, lp lines, water lines, sewer lines, and make sure the siding is still stapled to the frame.
I am rather mechanically inept--at least, inexperienced--and I appreciate the check list. (As part of my long-term warranty, I have a trusted dealer do an inspection annually.)

I appreciate the list, but don't even know what to look for on these components--especially the more subtle problems. Do you have a link to a more in-depth explanation and check-list? Thanks much!
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Old 10-24-2024, 07:08 AM   #16
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Funny you should ask.... I crawled under mine yesterday and found a loose
wire on one wheel brake.
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Old 10-24-2024, 10:17 AM   #17
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Funny you should ask.... I crawled under mine yesterday and found a loose
wire on one wheel brake.
Yes, I went under and checked my trailer hitch on my 2500 and found loose hitch bolts. The redundancy of the bolts used to mount it prevents an issue but a few turns and back in business.
Checked it because I backed into a tree when empty and took out the bumper a bit. Dang....
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