Community Forums

Old drag racer · 08-23-2016, 06:11 PM

Has anybody here have a problem with the leveling jack bending the frame? I just bought this 97 Fleetwood 32v and noticed when I lowered the left rear jack it was coming down at an angle and when I raised up the rv it was bending the frame. Did the boob that owned it before me do something stupid or is this a problem with this perticular rv? I did notice that where they welded the jack to the frame there's a hole goin through the frame for the fuel tank fill hose so it's not a full frame where it's welded to.

Redridge · 08-23-2016, 07:19 PM

have any pics? Jacks should not be bending frames...

chuckftboy · 08-23-2016, 07:51 PM

Leveling jacks are normally bolted to the frame because they are a replicable part. If someone welded it to the frame, on an angle, the leverage when extending might bend a frame. Not good.

Mudfrog · 08-23-2016, 08:16 PM

Sounds like one of the previous owners added the jacks after they bought it. I don't think the manufacturer would have welded it to the frame. It also sounds like someone operated it incorrectly, ran it over a curb, or tried to drive off while it was extended.

Old drag racer · 08-23-2016, 08:24 PM

I'd love to post pics but the forum won't let me. Something about it being a wrong format from my phone.

Old drag racer · 08-23-2016, 08:26 PM

The mount is welded to the frame but the actual ram is bolted to that mount so you can replace the ram if need be.

Old drag racer · 08-24-2016, 06:25 PM

http://www.irv2.com/forums/attachmen...8&d=1472084492

jelag · 08-24-2016, 08:29 PM

I think you might have seen the issue with the hole in the frame for the fuel filler... It might be prudent to have someone look at the installation and add a brace to add to the frame... it would be a shame to let this go and later find that the frame has cracked....

In some cases... the frame rails are made from material that when welded... changes the carbon content of that portion of the frame and will weaken it....

See the frame manufacturer and see if the body builder should have welded to the frame... it might be necessary to drill and bolt the material to strengthen the frame...

TdogKing · 08-24-2016, 08:32 PM

Sounds like previous owner parked on a hill/slope and it bent frame. Now it will have to gusseted/strengthened because it had been weakened. Not all Jack installations are bolt on, some weld the bracket and if done correctly that's ok but common sense has to prevail bolted or welded when using jacks.