Rusty Brackets
#1
Posted 12 July 2010 - 02:46 AM
I looked through a number of topics talking about these dammed rusty brackets... the must be the sacrificial anode of the entire camper. I think my camper looks decent, but I always notice those brackets!!!
So i figured I would take them off and hit them with a wire wheel and then prime/paint. That alone seems like its going to take days of work to get them cleaned up. In addition, I broke off 5 of the lag screw heads.
Fisherman, I saw in one of your posts that you had broken off a few. How did you fix them? A small easy-out or the like?
What do most people do? Should I take them to a powerder coating shop and Will they have the means to clean them first (acid bath?) before powder coating?
Rob
ps: this bracket was probably one of the better looking ones...
#2
Posted 12 July 2010 - 02:56 AM
Sunman2003 Four Wheel Camper -Hawk
2023 All Terrain Camper - Panther 2006 Toyota Tundra Double Cab Limited 4WD
2017 Toyota Tundra Double Cab Limited 4WD
#3
Posted 12 July 2010 - 04:01 AM
#4
Posted 12 July 2010 - 04:47 AM
#5
Posted 12 July 2010 - 08:07 PM
Rob
#6
Posted 12 July 2010 - 09:36 PM
The camper jack manufacturer just doesn't get the big picture after all these years.
We have pushed & shoved, but had little positive results to get jack brackets that won't rust so quickly when around a wet or salty (beach) climate.
The jack manfacturer did switch to a "2 piece" jack bracket a couple of years ago.
They did this in hopes to be able to get a better powder coating on the jack brackets.
I didn't see any big improvement between one or the other.
Gary Morrissey (Our Canadian Dealer) was a professional boat builder in Canada for around 30 years. He had the same complaint of rusty jack brackets on campers he had there (rain forest / ocean climate).
He had someone make him a set of stainless steel jack brackets for his personal camper. They looked great, but were darn expensive.
We have since been ordering in custom aluminum jack brackets to install on all of his new camper orders.
The cost for 4 of the aluminum jack brackets is $ 200.00.
We can sell the custom aluminum jack brackets to anyone that might want them.
BUT, it is important to note that new new jack brackets were are using these days are DIFFERENT that the older jack brackets.
The new jack brackets are 2 pieces.
The new jack brackets are also a different size and have a different hole pattern, so it won't be just a "plug & plug" installation if you are putting newer jack brackets on an older FWC.
The old jack brackets had approx. 6 bolts on each side of the jack brackets.
The new jack brackets (as of a few years ago) have only 4 bolt holes on each bracket.
I think the older jack brackets were approx. 1' inch longer than the new jack brackets these days.
Hope this helps.
Just a little food for thought.
.
.
Stan Kennedy --- Four Wheel Pop-up Campers
1400 Churchill Downs Avenue, Suite A
Woodland, CA 95776
(800) 242-1442 or (530) 666-1442
www.fourwh.com --- e-mail = stan@fourwh.com
#7
Posted 12 July 2010 - 09:54 PM
When we order in a set of camper jacks and jack brackets for a new camper these days, we throw the bolts away (recycle them) that come with the jacks from the manufacturer.
We use the same sized / same style bolts these days, but more expensive with a special coating (stronger against breaking / less chance of rust).
Tips for removing a broken jack bracket bolt ...
The shop guys would remove the camper jacks.
Remove the jack brackets.
Use a small dremel to knotch the tip of the broken jack bracket bolt.
(see attached pictures)
They would use a flat head screwdriver to remove the bolt from that point.
Simple process, as long as you have access to a dremel.
Hope this helps.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
. . . I saw in one of your posts that you had broken off a few bolt heads. How did you fix them? . . .
Stan Kennedy --- Four Wheel Pop-up Campers
1400 Churchill Downs Avenue, Suite A
Woodland, CA 95776
(800) 242-1442 or (530) 666-1442
www.fourwh.com --- e-mail = stan@fourwh.com
#8
Posted 12 July 2010 - 09:56 PM
Stan Kennedy --- Four Wheel Pop-up Campers
1400 Churchill Downs Avenue, Suite A
Woodland, CA 95776
(800) 242-1442 or (530) 666-1442
www.fourwh.com --- e-mail = stan@fourwh.com
#9
Posted 12 July 2010 - 10:04 PM
#10
Posted 13 July 2010 - 02:45 AM
Stan, it looks like the hole pattern to the camper on the new alluminium bracket is the same as older years..Is that correct?? If I drill a new hole pattern in my jack extensions I should plug right in...going to do the happy dance now!
Then,1995 Toyota T-100 4by with 1984 fwc Fleet
Then,1993 Toyota T-100 longbed 4by with 2002 fwc Ranger
Then, 2002 Toyota Tundra AC 4by with 2002 fwc Ranger
NOW, 2005 TOYOTA TUNDRA DOUBLE CAB 4x4 WITH 2001 FWC HAWK EXT
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