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Realigning the camper?

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#1 Santiam Camper

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Posted 29 November 2017 - 10:57 PM

When pulling my truck and camper into the garage recently, I caught one of the jack brackets on the frame of the garage door slightly. I stopped immediately, but I managed to pull the camper about two inches out of alignment on one side in relation to the bed of the truck.

Is there any way other than disconnecting and jacking up the camper and reloading it to square it up again?

Thanks

Mike
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#2 Wandering Sagebrush

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Posted 29 November 2017 - 10:59 PM

Mike, I would disconnect, then use the jacks to move/walk it into position.
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#3 Santiam Camper

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Posted 29 November 2017 - 11:15 PM

How do I walk the camper?
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#4 MarkBC

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Posted 29 November 2017 - 11:27 PM

I have used a "come-along" hand-winch to tug my camper into place, a couple of inches.  One end of the winch hooked to the jack bracket and the other end connected to a sturdy tree.

It crossed my mind that this might tear the camper apart -- but it didn't.  It worked!    :)


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#5 Wandering Sagebrush

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Posted 29 November 2017 - 11:30 PM

The camper will move by uneven jacking. Going from memory here... Jack up the side in the direction you want it to move, then jack the opposite side a bit more than the first. Lower the first side, then opposite. Check position and repeat if needed.

I’ve also seen a FWC installer kick the jacks at floor level.
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#6 craig333

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Posted 30 November 2017 - 12:11 AM

Like Mark but I used the Jeep winch. 


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#7 kmcintyre

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Posted 30 November 2017 - 12:33 AM

I've seen the guys at ATC loosen the turnbuckles and rock it back and forth into position.


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#8 bfh4n

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Posted 01 December 2017 - 03:37 AM

Mine shifted in the truck last summer while I was driving in Utah canyons.The turnbuckles had loosened and I didn't realize it. The camper had moved back about two inches on one side and somewhat less on the other. It was crashing around ominously as I drove. I tightened the turnbuckles to hold it where it was until I could come up with a way to get it back in the right position. (I don't travel with the jacks attached.)

 

Back in civilization, I was able to lever it forward with a long 2x4. First, I completely lossened all four turnbuckles. Then I wedged the 2x4 between my hitch receiver step and the rear lower edge of the camper and heaved it forward. I had a piece of wood about 18" long in there to protect the camper. The lever lifted the rear of the camper a little and pushed it forward.  Piece of cake. No harm done.

 

You could probably do what I did with a pole or stout branch, but it needs to be long and you have to get up high to push on it.

 

The moral of this story: Check your turnbuckles often when driving in rough country.

 

- Bernard


Edited by bfh4n, 01 December 2017 - 03:38 AM.

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#9 Rjensen219

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Posted 01 December 2017 - 11:09 AM

Have you considered dollys. These are great for moving the camper or aligning it. Pretty much effortless and inexpensive. https://m.harborfrei...olly-63095.html
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#10 nikonron

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Posted 01 December 2017 - 12:41 PM

Once that I got my camper aligned and set like I wanted it I installed aluminum clips at the back to prevent any shift or movement just in case.   Ron


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