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[flipskid]

So i added the shock struts to my camper this year. Doesnt take any effort at all to raise the top now. Also i had the headliner replaced at fwc this year. In the process seems my lift panels suffered and i am having issues with both of them and on inspection, it doesnt seem like anything keeps the back side of the middle rivets from poking into the pop up material. Tery at fwc said to bring it in and they would check it out for me-thanks Tery. Anyway, on inspecting the panels they are riveted into the top aluminum framing and screwed into the bottom framing. Why the different methods? Is it the stress differences? Anyway, on reading how to reinstall the lift panels, it seems people are drilling new holes for the top rivets. I dont like the thought of putting more holes(next to the previous holes) in the framing. I was wondering if a top joyce (like the flat lift/push against joyce) could be utilized to screw the top hinge into. The panel would have to be shortened to accomodate the joyce thickness. holes would have to be made to screw the joyce to the top, but not in the same area, and the top lift panel could be screwed into the joyce.

Also, if the lift struts are added, do the hinge panels still need the spring loaded piano hinges? Could any of them be deleted? I thought i read on here somewhere where someone fab'd a lift panel without the spring loaded hinges. does it keep the panels from buckling, or just assist with the lifting process?

thanks J

[Alley-Kat]

Anyway, on inspecting the panels they are riveted into the top aluminum framing and screwed into the bottom framing. Why the different methods? Is it the stress differences?

I found out from Marty at All Terrain Campers, that if there were screws on the top section where the rivits are, the heads of the screws would dig into the lift panel, destroying it, when they are closed.

Anyway, on reading how to reinstall the lift panels, it seems people are drilling new holes for the top rivets. I dont like the thought of putting more holes(next to the previous holes) in the framing.

From what I know, the new holes are only required because the old holes don't align with the new hinge holes.
Structurally, I don't think the new holes will make a bit of difference in the strength of the square tube aluminium that they are drilled in. And, this process has probably been completed on many campers over the years.

The recent lift panel install that I helped with was done on the FWC camper of a working Structural Engineer, a graduate of Cal Poly SLO, and I think he would have mentioned this issue if it bothered him.