Community Forums

ftharrisiii · 01-23-2019, 04:08 PM

While heading South on I-15 near Victorville, CA yesterday, we encountered sustained 30-40 mph cross winds with intermittent higher gusts. With one particular gust, it sounded like the roof of the coach was being ripped off.

I pulled over and got out the ladder to inspect and determine what happened and whether anything was damaged. What I found was that the two side lag bolts on the front support that hold the driver’s side roof façade had backed out about halfway allowing the bottom part of the facade to vibrate and move in the strong crosswinds. When I finally got to the campground, I checked all the lag bolts supporting both facades (front and rear) and found that most were loose by at least an eighth or quarter turn. We are fortunate we stopped and fixed the problem before the wind actually ripped the façade off.

When I get back home I have some minor fiberglass repair work to do. I also intend to replace all the facade lag bolts with bolts, washers, and nylon lock nuts.

Tom

gesmone · 01-23-2019, 04:19 PM

Do you have Girard slide toppers?

ftharrisiii · 01-23-2019, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gesmone

Do you have Girard slide toppers?

No. According to the order information for my coach, the slide toppers are by Dometic.

DrPhil · 01-23-2019, 08:15 PM

This is drivers side only, correct? Why would they use lags and not the method you mention?

ftharrisiii · 01-23-2019, 08:51 PM

Yes. This is for the driver’s side only. The lag screws supporting the fiberglass facade shell on the roof are similar to the lag screws that are used on the fixed side panels between the drive and tag axles and the side radiator grille. I regularly check and tighten these and now will add checking the roof bolts as well until I can swap them out.

Hawkeye · 01-23-2019, 10:19 PM

Someone a while back brought up these screws and the bolts holding the awnings needed attention. I need to get up there and check this out. I swear we get more wind than sun. Just curious, did your comfort drive help at all in those type of wind gusts?

ftharrisiii · 01-24-2019, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Someone a while back brought up these screws and the bolts holding the awnings needed attention. I need to get up there and check this out. I swear we get more wind than sun. Just curious, did your comfort drive help at all in those type of wind gusts?

Yes. Comfort drive compensated beautifully for the wind. There was no issue at all with handling. The DW actually did most of the driving through the cross winds.

Stuart W · 01-24-2019, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrPhil

This is drivers side only, correct? Why would they use lags and not the method you mention?

Much faster in production

FLJOE · 01-24-2019, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ftharrisiii

Yes. Comfort drive compensated beautifully for the wind. There was no issue at all with handling. The DW actually did most of the driving through the cross winds.

Whaaatttttt? I thought there was a recent study done by someone named Mike that proved CD didn't help in the wind?

jbikes1 · 01-24-2019, 09:00 AM

For those unlucky enough to have to store these coaches with the facades outside in the winter...do you worry about snow and ice buildup ? It seems like it could be significant. Regrets for a slight HiJack of the thread,

10 fan · 01-24-2019, 01:06 PM

When your up there check the bolts on the awning. Mine were all pulling thru the aluminum because Newmar didn't use washers. The bolts were to long to remove and add a washer so I notched them and slid them on.

ftharrisiii · 01-24-2019, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLJOE

Whaaatttttt? I thought there was a recent study done by someone named Mike that proved CD didn't help in the wind?

Not going to touch that!

ftharrisiii · 01-24-2019, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10 fan

When your up there check the bolts on the awning. Mine were all pulling thru the aluminum because Newmar didn't use washers. The bolts were to long to remove and add a washer so I notched them and slid them on.

I remember seeing your thread. I’ll check those as well. Thanks for the reminder.

Ricci · 01-24-2019, 03:43 PM

Hi Tom - A very large thank you for posting about this issue. I got up on a ladder this morning and every lag was at least a 1/4 turn loose with one or two requiring full turns. I am sure they were not going to get tighter on their own. If when I check them next time if they have backed out again I will replace them with the correct type of fastener. Very surprised that Newmar did it this way, it's not like them to cut corners.

Tom