7 replies to this topic

[Fly Fisher]

Hello all, just found this forum today, looks like alot of great info in here.
I have a problem with holes wearing thru the pop up part at the base of the lift hinge rivets, both front and back. New Granby, Jan 2005, I will TRY to attatch some pictures to give you people a better idea. I came up with a pretty good way to repair, sent along to FWC, they replied that it was a good way to do it, and have not heard back. It has been 2 months, since I live in Canada, going down to the factory is alittle out of the question.
Anyone else have this problem with the holes and/or getting a reply from these guys?
thanks Fly Fisher.

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[DirtyDog]

Mine hasn't done that and I took delivery about the same time you did. Are you sure that when you lower the top, that the camper door is always open to let the air rush out? If not, I could see how the canvas would not properly fold and be prone to damage from the lowering roof.

It has also been my experience that FWC is not very good about returning emails.

[Fly Fisher]

DDog,
Yes the door is always open. It appears that the back sides of the rivets did not cut off clean or they were not ground. These holes are in direct lines with the rivet locations, front and back, top and bottom. Also no heavey loads have been applied to the roof.
Fly Fisher

[DirtyDog]

Sounds like you are correct about that Fly Fisher. I would imagine that they owe you some service, but like you say you are a long ways away from their facility. You might want to give them a call, they seem unable to offer reliable support via email.

[simimike]

I had some warranty issues with my new FWC (May 2006). After e-mailing them, an appointment was set, I drove 6 hours to the factory. Spent a lovely night in the parking lot. The next day they fixed the broken latch and cabinet door in about an hour. Then a nice drive south on I5 to home completed the experience. So my point is you most likely will have to go the factory to have repairs done. I don't think FWC wants unhappy customers now that they a direct competitor in "Allterraincampers" Keep e-mailing them. Let us know how it goes.

[marty]

you should not try to fix this problem. at all. your folding panels have three piano hinges in each one of them these hinges have every fifth knuckle cut out for a small spring. below and above each spring is a hole the holes have a screw or a rivett in them depanding on where it is. the rivetts are smashed with a hammer to flatten them out. what i am seeing is your rivetts are ether not smashed at all or are not smashed enough your roof needs to be removed and your rivetts need to be smashed and you need a new side linner. the rivett you showed the head of in the photo is connected to a small bungie to pull your side liner in as the top goes down. that rivett does not need to be smashed. have a nice day.
marty

[Fly Fisher]

Marty,
The rivet shown in the picture is connecting the rear liner to the wooden lift panel not the side bungie hook. What I have proposed to FWC is that I temp. support the roof(1 end at a time), disconnect the bottom of the panel, and cover the rough rivets with a heavey gauge plastic or vinyl, then add long patch strips where the holes are. But you are right it should be done by them with a new top provided, after all I did not forget to fix the back of the rivets, it was the manufacturer. The grat problem is that I live in southern BC, approx. 2 hours from Spokane WA. getting the camper to sothern California is doubtfull unless they pick it up on a delivery trip? Good luck there!
Fly Fisher.

[marty]

fly fisher,
the exposed rivett does in fact connect the liner to the panel with a small bungie type strap. what you proposed to fix the problem might work, my only concern there would be wondering how that would affect the closing of the roof with the extra padding in the middle. in other words when the top is down all the padding and patching will be piled up on its self and the roof may not want to close correctly. good luck .

marty