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2004 Hallmark Ute XL tub starting to separate from upper section at front corners


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#1 ardvark

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Posted 02 May 2018 - 08:12 AM

As we have been using our Ute, I have noticed the tub is starting to separate at the front corners when the camper is lifted onto the truck or when it is taken off. This camper has been stored indoors and I am obsessive about not overtightening the turnbuckles. I was wondering if anyone has found a simple repair. I am sure Hallmark could make the repair over the winter, but I am not sure how much I want to dump into a 14 year-old camper, plus make a 1,200 mile drive back and forth to Colorado. From what I have read on the Internet that tub separation at the front corners is not all that unusual.


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#2 ardvark

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Posted 02 May 2018 - 09:30 PM

No responses so I guess no fast fixes. Looks like a full wall rebuild. I would just get rid of it and get another, but these Hallmarks are crazy expensive and I like the camper. 


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#3 ardvark

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Posted 07 May 2018 - 09:18 PM

Got it done using 1 1/4" angle iron and 1 1/4" x 1/8" strap. Now I have to figure out how to pretty it up. If anyone has the same problem I took a couple of pictures I will be glad to share.


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#4 meandmydog

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Posted 21 June 2018 - 04:40 AM

My ute had the same problem before I bought it. I saw it when I was checking it out to buy it. I arranged for Hallmark to fix it before I took possession of the camper. I was lucky and the camper was only 25 miles from Hallmark's shop. They fixed it for $500.00. They used a piece of 1" x 1" aluminum angle metal. I'll attach a couple of pics, before and after. It seems to be staying together so far. 

 

IMG_1077.jpg

 

IMG_1082.jpg

 

IMG_3043.jpg

 


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#5 ardvark

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Posted 21 June 2018 - 08:26 AM

Thanks for posting the pictures. I did pretty much the same thing, but wanted to carry the support all the way across so I used 1/8" angle inside and, after pulling the water tank, I also ran two 1/8" straps all the way down the tub. That way it is all tied together vertically and horizontally. I did all that on the interior rather than the exterior and it came out looking surprisingly good and unless you are familiar with Hallmark interiors, I doubt you would notice the repair. Over all it took me an entire day, but only about $100 in material.

 

In my opinion, the manner in which the front upper section fastens to the tub is not the best design and when I pulled the water tank and opened up the wall, I was amazed how little support there is behind the wall board. My wife and I really like the Hallmark and use it often, but I think it is the design rather than usage that leads to this problem. Its hard to see how you will not get some deflection and ultimately corner separation over time with this model.  Kept reminding myself it was 14 years old. :)


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#6 ricamiller

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Posted 15 December 2020 - 01:36 AM

Hi Ardvark,

 

Are you still monitoring this thread?

 

I have the same problem that you describe with my 2006 Ute. I have some questions that I would like to ask you about your repair.

 

Thanks,

Ric


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