Great First time out until...

Labbie · 05-03-2015, 04:01 PM

WE had a great first time out, until we got home. We unloaded the camper and when I was pulling the camper out of the yard I got a little too close to the house and but a half inch tear in the awning. The when I got to storage I was checking everything out inside the camper and the gas door holder broke when a huge gust of wind opened the door too far. Anyone know of an easy way to get a new gas strut? And what can i do to the awning?

I just want to go back to the camp ground and go to sleep and pretend this never happened.

Thanks in advance, Labbie

Dayle1 · 05-03-2015, 04:22 PM

There is special tape for repairing the awning, you should be able to get it at CW or your local dealer. Take the gas strut to the dealer also and have him order a replacement, hopefully you didn't damage the door also.

Loneoak · 05-03-2015, 04:36 PM

Our daughter got her fifth wheel out of storage yesterday and when she thought she was hitched up, she wasn't. She pulled slowly away, only to have the trailer land on the pick-up. It landed on the tailgate and did no damage (o.k., maybe a tiny little scratch you can hardly see). She was lucky!

There is so much damage you can do so easily, it's scary! I hope you get your stuff fixed for not too much money.

Chateau Duke To Go · 05-03-2015, 04:51 PM

On the strut (also known as gas spring) there should be markings to tell you how strong it is. Then you can go to this website and order a new one. Skip the dealer.

SPD Hardware - Gas Springs, Hinges, Catches, Latches, Handles, Drawer Slides, Rope Rings, Door Holders, Weather-stripping

There may be other places to order the gas spring but I have used this one with success to fix one of my own boo boo's.

mike06081969 · 05-03-2015, 08:49 PM

Don't feel too bad, Labbie. I've been pulling campers for 10 years and never put a scratch on one until the other day. I pulled my fifth wheel out of the RV shed in order to pour concrete. When I backed it in beside the garage, I grazed the gutter on the garage and bent it. Nothing serious, and did no damage to the camper, but it just shows that no matter how many times you've backed one in before, complacency can lead to trouble. I'll watch it a lot closer from now on.

anaro · 05-04-2015, 12:45 AM

X 2 on awning repair tape. I think Wal-Mart might even have it but camping world definitely does......oh and all of us can answer these issues because we have had a been there done that. We tore our awning when we left it out Untied in pA last year. Camping world dented our old tt and we fixed it ourselves with a rubber mallet and caulking. We have done many stupid things and our tt survived. While not funny at the time, we can look back and laugh now. Just keep your since of humor, you will need it.

If you are bored, this might make you feel better.

Labbie · 05-05-2015, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anaro

X 2 on awning repair tape. I think Wal-Mart might even have it but camping world definitely does......oh and all of us can answer these issues because we have had a been there done that. We tore our awning when we left it out Untied in pA last year. Camping world dented our old tt and we fixed it ourselves with a rubber mallet and caulking. We have done many stupid things and our tt survived. While not funny at the time, we can look back and laugh now. Just keep your since of humor, you will need it.

If you are bored, this might make you feel better.

Thanks for the recommendations, I picked up the tape at Menards, but the gas spring is being a little more difficult. All I really need is the plastic mount that goes over the ball stud, the gas spring its self is fine and if found the plastic piece can be threaded back on.

Chateau Duke To Go · 05-05-2015, 06:44 PM

The company at the link I posted above has the end pieces and attachment points for the gas springs

kidyounger · 05-05-2015, 07:03 PM

Forget the strut, stupid idea door only opens half way, mine broke the same way. Installed a door latch on trailer so door is latch full open against the trailer. Makes it easier bringing things into the trailer. Just a suggestion.

Labbie · 05-05-2015, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chateau Duke To Go

The company at the link I posted above has the end pieces and attachment points for the gas springs

I saw the ball studs when I looked earlier but didn't see the sockets, I will look again. Thanks for the tip again Chateau Duke To Go.

Labbie · 05-05-2015, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kidyounger

Forget the strut, stupid idea door only opens half way, mine broke the same way. Installed a door latch on trailer so door is latch full open against the trailer. Makes it easier bringing things into the trailer. Just a suggestion.

The dealer that I went to today ( not where I bought) had those and I am considering it.

Labbie · 06-03-2015, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labbie

Thanks for the recommendations, I picked up the tape at Menards, but the gas spring is being a little more difficult. All I really need is the plastic mount that goes over the ball stud, the gas spring its self is fine and if found the plastic piece can be threaded back on.

Well the first piece of tape came off already, even after a through cleaning and still waiting on the gas spring to come in, I ordered it from two different camper stores and it appears to be back-ordered. Luckily I stole the one off my bathroom door. I did check out the link that Chateau recommended but the end would have been as much as 2 gas spring assemblies, but I might have to go that route.

frosty42 · 06-08-2015, 10:45 PM

A good sense of humor is good advice. After washing the trailer yesterday I took it to the indoor storage garage I have for it and while backing in, rubbed the rear gutter spout on the plywood wall. No damage to the fiberglass, but will need to "adjust" the gutter spout. The gas grill bumper mount also hit the wall and took the hit as well instead of the trailer itself. No damage there. That mount is built like a tank.

I like the idea with the door...half open is useless.

Tim D · 06-14-2015, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kidyounger

Forget the strut, stupid idea door only opens half way, mine broke the same way. Installed a door latch on trailer so door is latch full open against the trailer. Makes it easier bringing things into the trailer. Just a suggestion.

X2...Had this done before I took possession. I would check the gutter spout that was hit. May need to be resecured or replaced and caulked.

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