Bent spring mounting bracket

[NeoBuckeye]

I looked at a 2001? Excel 35 SEO ( side entertainment, open bath model) and notice the the 2 tires on the entery door side were almost touching.
I crawled underneath and noticed the front most spring mounting point was bend rearward. One the left side, the good side, the spring mount point braket is attached a true 90 degree position.

Is it possible this damage was caused by jacking up the RV by this mounting point, possible during a tire change? I am thinking if this damage was done by a curb strike, I suspect the gas line would also be damaged, assuming the something could contact this point without damaging the tire and wheel.

I have a fabricator looking at this to see about the best way to repair.
Some of the exterior access covers are also swelled and do not close properly. Some of the slide seals have damage or just fallen off.

I added links to the pictures, since it appears they are not posted, I did attemptto resize the pictures.

This is the bent front spring mounting point of the enteryway side ( right side)


https://picasaweb.google.com/1158745...34317010165826


Tires almost touching:



https://picasaweb.google.com/1158745...39006010151282

Picture of the left side front spring mounting point, perfect 90 degree angle



https://picasaweb.google.com/1158745...34330049882898

Outside access cover damage:



https://picasaweb.google.com/1158745...39028769568994

[Hermandutchman]

If you want to know how to repair compartment doors go to Restoration 101,page 1 , Workshop has a detailed guide for this. I redid mine using most of his info, not to difficult.

[NeoBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Hermandutchman

If you want to know how to repair compartment doors go to Restoration 101,page 1 , Workshop has a detailed guide for this. I redid mine using most of his info, not to difficult.

Thank you, I did read most of that thread prior to inspecting this unit. Very well written "how to" write up!!

[jesilvas]

[jesilvas]

Pretty weird. The rear looks normal, but the front definitely had to have been replaced.

[NeoBuckeye]

Originally Posted by jesilvas

Pretty weird. The rear looks normal, but the front definitely had to have been replaced.

Thank you for adding the pictures.

[Workshop]

I assume you are considering the purchase of this unit?

Without 'eyes on the ground' to inspect the surrounding area...it would be hard to say how the hanger got bent. If someone tried to lift the unit using the spring hanger, considering the slope of the spring and getting a jack to stay upright during the initial contact....one might try placing something between the jack and hanger? But regardless the hanger and base are bent. The rusted area around the hanger attachment could have been made by welding at the area or I would guess the damage/crunch of the hanger support.

If it was damaged by a curb hit, the step box forward of the wheels should show damage as well.




I'm surprised to see the hangers didn't have the height adjustment holes...my 2001 did and wasn't aware Excel didn't install those hangers on all their models.

If you purchase this unit, might consider upgrading the suspension with a new equalizer and wet bolts as well as having an axle alignment done.


workhorse

[Workshop]

Glad you found the posts on the compartment door repair. It was a common issue in the early years.




I don't think I've ever seen an entry door retainer that rusted. Overall what condition is the unit in.....?

If this was a unit I was considering, I would look it over very closely for water damage.

workhorse

[wa8yxm]

I doubt jacking damaged the bracket, Either impact with something (like I did with one of my kilo-buck to replace jacks) or rust did it in.

A frame shop can fix it in any case. Visit one.

[rockintom]

Neo,

Just looking at the pix you posted, I'd say run like a daylight burglar from this deal. This rig clearly has not had a good home. Just my opinion. rockin'

[NeoBuckeye]

Thank you all for the replies.
The RV and the truck included is 250 miles from my home.
The camper may need more work then i know how to fix, and I might be looking more at the F350 tow vehicle and clouding my judgement of value and ability of the RV.

I brought in a friend who is also an RV owner. We did not detect any water damage inside the RV. No discolored spots on the ceiling, bowed walls or soft spots on the floors near the walls.
As for damage near the spring mounting point, the gas line was not bent ( although could have been fixed / replaced at some point) and the under boxes and fabric underneath was still intact.

Even the bottoms of the storage areas were solid dispite the exterior doors that were water damaged.

One other point, there were signs of critters getting inside the cabinets. The area where the paper plates and napkins were stored looked like a hamster den with the chewed up paper. In two of the ceiling vents, there were pieces of pink insulation, not sure how intact the ceiling duct work would be. Unless the critters also entered into the "basement ducts" and ran though out the RV.
I was not able to connect a water supply to the camper since it had been winterized. I did confirm there was at least some antifreeze in the tanks because I opened the fresh water and the grey water drain taps and red / pink water came out.

I found out that the slider seals on the RV walls just push in place, like the weather stripping inside a car door opening. Other then the price per foot, and the sealant, cleaners needed, should not be too difficult to replace.

I seen some 2001 Excel 5th wheels selling for as low as $13,000 and as high as $28,000. Those may not be exact model for model and options, but same length.

Also as part of this camper package, is a highly optioned, low mile 2003 Ford F350 extended cab,dual rear wheel, long bed, 7.3 diesel that was used to tow the camper. So, even though the camper may need some work, the over all package price is worth as much as just the truck.
The RV and the truck included is 250 miles from home.

The camper will cost $5,000. The camper will get new tires, and the truck tires are 10 years old. So, I will end up buying 12 tires, 6 for the truck, and 4 for the RV including spares for the trailer and the truck, before I even move the camper. Figure $200 for each tire, that is $2400.

Plus, the exterior just needs a good cleaning / polish waxing.

[Workshop]

Here are several addition photos of the unit. The initial photos of the suspension makes one want to run....but the inside, from the photos, looks better than what I would have thought.














workhorse

[NeoBuckeye]

I value the opinions of the knowledge from this forum.
Workshop, thank you for information in your private message.
I would like to refreshen this unit up and enjoy it.

[ARRET]

Originally Posted by NeoBuckeye

Thank you all for the replies.
The RV and the truck included is 250 miles from my home.
The camper may need more work then i know how to fix, and I might be looking more at the F350 tow vehicle and clouding my judgement of value and ability of the RV.

I brought in a friend who is also an RV owner. We did not detect any water damage inside the RV. No discolored spots on the ceiling, bowed walls or soft spots on the floors near the walls.
As for damage near the spring mounting point, the gas line was not bent ( although could have been fixed / replaced at some point) and the under boxes and fabric underneath was still intact.

Even the bottoms of the storage areas were solid dispite the exterior doors that were water damaged.

One other point, there were signs of critters getting inside the cabinets. The area where the paper plates and napkins were stored looked like a hamster den with the chewed up paper. In two of the ceiling vents, there were pieces of pink insulation, not sure how intact the ceiling duct work would be. Unless the critters also entered into the "basement ducts" and ran though out the RV.
I was not able to connect a water supply to the camper since it had been winterized. I did confirm there was at least some antifreeze in the tanks because I opened the fresh water and the grey water drain taps and red / pink water came out.

I found out that the slider seals on the RV walls just push in place, like the weather stripping inside a car door opening. Other then the price per foot, and the sealant, cleaners needed, should not be too difficult to replace.

I seen some 2001 Excel 5th wheels selling for as low as $13,000 and as high as $28,000. Those may not be exact model for model and options, but same length.

Also as part of this camper package, is a highly optioned, low mile 2003 Ford F350 extended cab,dual rear wheel, long bed, 7.3 diesel that was used to tow the camper. So, even though the camper may need some work, the over all package price is worth as much as just the truck.
The RV and the truck included is 250 miles from home.

The camper will cost $5,000. The camper will get new tires, and the truck tires are 10 years old. So, I will end up buying 12 tires, 6 for the truck, and 4 for the RV including spares for the trailer and the truck, before I even move the camper. Figure $200 for each tire, that is $2400.

Plus, the exterior just needs a good cleaning / polish waxing.

Are you sure the truck is a 7.3? I thought they stopped using it in 2002 model year.