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09-29-2015, 11:10 AM
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#1
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 60
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Is this normal
Many of you have helped me along as a new owner and I appreciate it.
I have something else to throw at you all. I added a Acculevel to my pin box.
Now I notice what can best be described as flexing. It may be completely normal I just don't know since this is my first 5th wheel. In the video you can see when I hit a dip in the road my level and pin box doesn't move, but the front cap seems to have a lot of bounce in it as you can see if you watch the horizontal white pin stripe right above the level.
Thanks in advance.
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09-29-2015, 02:08 PM
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#2
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,508
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Some flexing is normal, but too much indicates a problem. Normally the amount of flex is measured at the king pin by how much it deflects between unhooked and hooked. However this is not ez to do given the truck's suspension movement. Dealers will measure it using a forklift, good would be 1/2 inch or less, anything over 3/4 inch is too much. You can measure it using a length of 6x6 post and a bottle jack. With the fiver wheels firmly blocked, raise the bottle jack til it just touches the bottom of the king pin. Note the extension. Then raise it til the foot pads on the landing gear just begin to lift and note the difference
There is a lot more flex in the steel frame than many people realize and the front cap is NOT attached to the frame, only to the sidewalls and the roof. If you have a front closet, the floor is attached to the steel frame, but the front wall is NOT. The floor will buckle up as the steel frame flexes. You didn't indicate your year or model number, but Cruisers were improved August, 2011.
__________________
Larry Day
Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders member since '01
13 Silverado 3500HD D/A, 2wd CCSB srw, custom RKI bed
11 Cruiser CF32MK
https://www.picturetrail.com/dayle1
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09-29-2015, 02:12 PM
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#3
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 60
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I guess I need to add my signature line.
It's a 2013 Elevation 3612.
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09-29-2015, 02:33 PM
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#4
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,508
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Here is a link to the repairs on my Cruiser, the 3rd picture is a Lippert frame drawing with the changes highlighted in yellow. The original frame notch was greater than was needed for the new front cap and resulted in too much flex, mine was like 1-1/2 inches. Immediately after this and several other Cruisers were repaired, Lippert and Crossroads made a permanent change to the frame that was almost identical to the fix.
Cruiser frame repair
__________________
Larry Day
Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders member since '01
13 Silverado 3500HD D/A, 2wd CCSB srw, custom RKI bed
11 Cruiser CF32MK
https://www.picturetrail.com/dayle1
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09-29-2015, 03:35 PM
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#5
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 60
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__________________
TV: 2007 Chevy 2500HD Classic CCSB 4X4 Duramax LBZ
FW: 2013 Elevation 3612
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09-29-2015, 04:30 PM
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#6
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: MS
Posts: 2,746
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It looks as if the holes are elongated (Not right) I would take it in and have it checked out, might be bad bolts all so
__________________
Frank and Janet Henn
2000 Monoco Lapalma
being pushed by a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Traveling with Rainbow the wonder dog and now with Sunshine the rescue Schnauzer.
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09-29-2015, 04:50 PM
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#7
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 60
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I've checked the bolts and they are TIGHT.
I also took a 4X4 and a jack and loaded weight on the pin measuring how much it flexed up under load. Measures out at 3/4". All that movement came from up inside the front cap.
__________________
TV: 2007 Chevy 2500HD Classic CCSB 4X4 Duramax LBZ
FW: 2013 Elevation 3612
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09-29-2015, 05:55 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: VA
Posts: 1,720
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Lippert torque specs for grade 5 bolts:
1/2" - 75 ft-lbs
9/16" - 115 ft-lbs
5/8" - 150 ft-lbs
3/4" - 290 ft-lbs
__________________
2013 Silverado 2500HD LTZ CC 6.6L Duramax Diesel
2023 Rockwood 2445WS
Buster, miniature Dachshund
2024: 2 trips, 26 nights in 8 states, 4801 miles
2023: 9 trips, 48 nights in 12 states, 2 provinces, 8120 miles
2019: 7 trips, 43 nights in 6 states, 3904 miles
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09-29-2015, 09:08 PM
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#9
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 60
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That's another thing that bothers me. Why would they use grade 5 bolts. Grade 8 don't cost that much more. 2500 lbs of pressure on that area. Seems like it would make sense.
__________________
TV: 2007 Chevy 2500HD Classic CCSB 4X4 Duramax LBZ
FW: 2013 Elevation 3612
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09-30-2015, 06:55 PM
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#10
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lazy D
I've checked the bolts and they are TIGHT.
I also took a 4X4 and a jack and loaded weight on the pin measuring how much it flexed up under load. Measures out at 3/4". All that movement came from up inside the front cap.
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If the flex is occurring inside the cap, then cross members that hold the pin box are flexing. If you have a front closet, the plywood flooring is nailed directly to the steel cross members and as the crossmember flexes it pushes the plywood up but it may not return when unhooked. This can be visible using a strong flashlight looking into the front of the pin box.
__________________
Larry Day
Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders member since '01
13 Silverado 3500HD D/A, 2wd CCSB srw, custom RKI bed
11 Cruiser CF32MK
https://www.picturetrail.com/dayle1
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09-30-2015, 07:02 PM
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#11
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 197
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lazy D
That's another thing that bothers me. Why would they use grade 5 bolts. Grade 8 don't cost that much more. 2500 lbs of pressure on that area. Seems like it would make sense.
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When I upgraded my OEM Lippert pin box to a MoyRide Ruber Pin box, I also upgraded to grade 8 bolts.
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09-30-2015, 07:27 PM
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#12
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chateau Duke To Go
When I upgraded my OEM Lippert pin box to a MoyRide Ruber Pin box, I also upgraded to grade 8 bolts.
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I have an appointment with the dealer on the 9th. I talked to them about going to grade 8 bolts. I told them I'd buy them if they will put them in. He said "No problem". Good folks to deal with. They are going to examine everything and see what's up.
__________________
TV: 2007 Chevy 2500HD Classic CCSB 4X4 Duramax LBZ
FW: 2013 Elevation 3612
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