Community Forums

Barryc737 · 05-17-2017, 02:04 PM

Driving on the highway the other day in our 2009 HR Scepter, I heard one loud metal popping sound. Upon further review, it turned out to be one of the rods that connects the body panels to the frame departing the coach. Specifically, it was the one just behind the left front tire. Only a small piece remained screwed to the body panel/fender.

So this little item is just under 21" long and about 3/16" in diameter. Each end has been flattened and has two screw holes drilled in it. The horizontal distance between screw holes on the coach is 19.5 inches.

Of course, Monaco has none and the original manufacturer of the rod is out of business. A local dealer suggested going to Home Depot and buying a length of round tubing, flattening the ends, and drilling the holes. Before I resort to going down that road, I thought I would check for other recommendations or sources. Any thoughts?

BFlinn181 · 05-17-2017, 02:13 PM

Any blacksmith or metal fabricating shop could make such a brace in a few minutes. Check local listings.

1doodadd · 05-17-2017, 04:08 PM

Do u own a Gas Ax???

10Boomer · 05-17-2017, 04:12 PM

Barry go to hardware store, by 1/4" solid aluminum rod, pound ends somewhat flat with sledge, drill holes your ready to install.
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cruzbill · 05-17-2017, 04:17 PM

On a 5ver we had, same thing happened to me on the road. Went to HD, bought a wooden paint stir stick and screwed it in using self tappers. Was still working fine when we traded it in on the MH.

tankcj · 05-17-2017, 04:38 PM

I went to HD and bought a piece of 1/4" steel rod. Cut it to length, heated the ends and hammered them flat then drilled holes in the ends and attached the strut. So far so good!

BTW - my coach is the same as yours but mine was the left rear strut that was missing.

Captjake1 · 05-17-2017, 04:39 PM

I made mine out of 1/2" flat steel. Bend on each end with a hole and good to go.

Barryc737 · 05-17-2017, 04:55 PM

Roger all that. I'll get on it tomorrow. Thanks!

Barryc737 · 05-17-2017, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1doodadd

Do u own a Gas Ax???

Nope!

Barryc737 · 05-19-2017, 11:04 AM

Another small victory yesterday!

I spent the morning making this project harder than it needed to be until an extended stay resident in the RV park we are at drove in from work. I showed him what I was trying to accomplish and gave me two suggestions that both panned out beautifully. First, was directing me to one of those "old time hardware stores" only 5 minutes up the street here in Fresno, CA. I had driven by it many times but it always looked like it was closed. What a gem! What a candy store for the handyman! The second pointer was that it sure looked like a brake line from a car. Sure enough! That store had it....the perfect length....even volunteered to grind off the fluted ends and remove the fittings! A little hammering and a little drilling made a very nice duplicate fender stabilizer rod.

Kudos to all on this forum that have the knowledge, skill, and experience for these kinds of projects and are willing to share it. Thanks all!

BFlinn181 · 05-19-2017, 11:32 AM

My only reservation is that the original "3/16" rod, 20" long" broke or fell off. If the replacement isn't at least as strong as the original, it likely will fail again. Not sure how robust brake line tubing, a paint stick, or aluminum stock would be in that situation. A 1/4" steel rod would be stronger, and would have been my choice.

Barryc737 · 05-19-2017, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

My only reservation is that the original "3/16" rod, 20" long" broke or fell off. If the replacement isn't at least as strong as the original, it likely will fail again. Not sure how robust brake line tubing, a paint stick, or aluminum stock would be in that situation. A 1/4" steel rod would be stronger, and would have been my choice.

Roger that. Thanks. 👍