Jack Brackets

[Roger]

I found a broken screw in my jack bracket when installing my camper for the summer/winter season. I noticed that most of the other jack bracket screws were a bit loose and or backing out too. I hand tightened them back in but I am thinking this may be a safety issue.

My camper is a 2010 model, so it is not that old. I have not had any jack issues.

What are your maintenance procedures for your jack brackets?

Thanks

Roger

 

[Gormley Green]

I noticed some of mine on my 2010 backing out as well on my last trip. I havent addressed it yet though. Mine are mostly on the front of the camper which face into the wind (and rain) when driving and my concern was about leaking into them. I'll watch this thread.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Interesting. What part of the screw broke?

 

[Roger]

Interesting. What part of the screw broke?


It was the bottom screw on the outside the bracket. I only noticed it because it was a bit skewed to the rest. I used my fingers to unscrew it and it was broken off at about 1.25 inches in, just snapped off. I went over the rest of them and finger tighten them in, most were backed off by a quarter to half a turn.

I'll see if I can post pics later.

Roger

 

[Overland Hadley]

I went over the rest of them and finger tighten them in, most were backed off by a quarter to half a turn.



They were ''finger'' loose by half a turn!

Maybe they were never torqued in at the factory?

 

[Roger]

They were ''finger'' loose by half a turn!

Maybe they were never torqued in at the factory?


I think they are self tapping screws so that is why I just finger tightened them. I didn't want to strip out the aluminum framing they are attached to. I am going to call FWC soon and see if this is a real problem or just me getting my knickers in a knot. I think the broken screw can be replaced, but again I'll call FWC about it.
Do you know if they should be torqued? Do you know the inch/lbs or foot lbs for the torque?

Thanks!

 

[pods8]

I'd be inclined to back them out, put some adhesive caulk on them and run them back in for good...

 

[Overland Hadley]

Do you know if they should be torqued? Do you know the inch/lbs or foot lbs for the torque?


I guess by torqued I was thinking anything more than finger tight, whatever the proper tightness would be on these.

 

[Roger]

So I inspected the inside of the screw hole and noticed that another screw was intersecting the path of the broken jack bracket screw.

I spoke with Terry at FWC too.

The take away is that the broken screw was probably sawed in half by the interior trim screw.

The loose screws (actually I should have said "some" and not "most" in my first message)were OK, just finger tighten and then a 1/8 to 1/4 turn to "torque". I'd done that so no worries.

I'll use a slightly over-sized screw to replace the broken screw and be on my way.

No worries.

Thanks
Roger

 

[Chukar Hunter]

I have the saame issue on my 07 Hawk. Found all loose and 3 broke very easily when tightening them.