The camper thread! Pulling, using, equipment, maintenance!
is a BAAAD MAN
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,738
Likes: 5
From: Winston Salem NC
If you have a camper try to stay in the center lanes or you might hit a bridge.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 385
Likes: 13
From: Stanwood, WA
So my replacement Reese dual cams arrived today. Question for everyone. I have a tubular trailer frame and the original self tapping bolts that were installed have "wallowed" out the holes, the directions say to not drill all the way through on tubular frames. Would you drill all the way through and get longer, heavier bolts? Or, would you buy larger self tapping bolts to fill in the oversized holes? I've moved from the original dual cam to the dual cam HP and they look a lot more substantial. I believe they will hold up a lot better than the original, especially considering that I am going to install them correctly.
is a BAAAD MAN
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,738
Likes: 5
From: Winston Salem NC
So my replacement Reese dual cams arrived today. Question for everyone. I have a tubular trailer frame and the original self tapping bolts that were installed have "wallowed" out the holes, the directions say to not drill all the way through on tubular frames. Would you drill all the way through and get longer, heavier bolts? Or, would you buy larger self tapping bolts to fill in the oversized holes? I've moved from the original dual cam to the dual cam HP and they look a lot more substantial. I believe they will hold up a lot better than the original, especially considering that I am going to install them correctly.
B
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 385
Likes: 13
From: Stanwood, WA
Thank you for the response. I guess a more specific question would be, should I be worried about weakening the tongue of my trailer by drilling all the way through if those plates are not actually welded? It's a 36' trailer over all with a 888 lbs dry tongue weight.
is a BAAAD MAN
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,738
Likes: 5
From: Winston Salem NC
The problem comes when the through bolts crush the tube steel making it weaker. The plates prevent that. You have to drill holes on one side anyway I don't think the holes will make it weaker.
There is no good way to prevent the bolts from doing that without the plates imho, like I say it's worked for me
There is no good way to prevent the bolts from doing that without the plates imho, like I say it's worked for me
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 4
From: North Texas
If you rent a car with the ezpass thing it does work great once you know its there. It comes with its own set of charges though. Only downfall can be if its not cleared from the last renter as I was charged for driving through the Lincoln tunnel which I never did. It would be nice if they would email me a picture of it or something as the price to drive through it was up there.;-)
is a BAAAD MAN
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,738
Likes: 5
From: Winston Salem NC
If you rent a car with the ezpass thing it does work great once you know its there. It comes with its own set of charges though. Only downfall can be if its not cleared from the last renter as I was charged for driving through the Lincoln tunnel which I never did. It would be nice if they would email me a picture of it or something as the price to drive through it was up there.;-)
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 0
Excellent idea!
Joe
Joe
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Kennewick, WA
BigGreenEx: Reese has rivet nuts for tubular frames that should take care of the old holes. They are very substantial, you drill out to 11/16" and then install with the orig bolts. They sent me a set, haven't used them yet. The frame on my new trailer is a lot thicker than the last one, and after installing the brackets (after using a tap) they have not loosened one bit.
In 3 different DC HP installs, I have never had a problem with the cam bracket bolts loosening or stripping. I think that some of the damage that occurs is due to bar to hanger interference, causing a sideways push on the brackets. Seems like that is more common to the trunnion (square) bar and a top mounted coupler. I use a round bar, and have had no damage from interference or contact of the bar and hanger. Just a thought.
I would think that the rivnuts would be a simple fix and almost, if not the same, effectiveness as plating. Also a lot less work. You still have a hollow tube frame that can be bent or crushed if clamping bolts are overtightened.
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
I'll have a midsize sedan so i should be good, it sounds like it'll be a new experience to say the least! We land in the evening and head directly out of Chicago to Grand Rapids, MI.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 385
Likes: 13
From: Stanwood, WA
BigGreenEx: Reese has rivet nuts for tubular frames that should take care of the old holes. They are very substantial, you drill out to 11/16" and then install with the orig bolts. They sent me a set, haven't used them yet. The frame on my new trailer is a lot thicker than the last one, and after installing the brackets (after using a tap) they have not loosened one bit.
In 3 different DC HP installs, I have never had a problem with the cam bracket bolts loosening or stripping. I think that some of the damage that occurs is due to bar to hanger interference, causing a sideways push on the brackets. Seems like that is more common to the trunnion (square) bar and a top mounted coupler. I use a round bar, and have had no damage from interference or contact of the bar and hanger. Just a thought.
I would think that the rivnuts would be a simple fix and almost, if not the same, effectiveness as plating. Also a lot less work. You still have a hollow tube frame that can be bent or crushed if clamping bolts are overtightened.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 385
Likes: 13
From: Stanwood, WA
A lot of you know my daughter was born with a brain injury and we are trying our hardest to live a "normal" life for our boys and our little angel. They really enjoy camping.