Truck and Camper Dropped Off Lift

[superduty]

Sucks this happened. I'm the big picture, happening at the dealer is probably the best place for a nightmare like this to happen. Better than a mom and pop mechanic shop.

It's 100% their fault and they know it. Fight them tooth and nail and the end result will be good. It may take a minute though.

In the mean time I would take their loaner and tell them you need it set up for a FWC. It's probably gonna be some time before this is all settled. Especially if you have to hire an atty.

 

[Jon R]

I have scheduled my few dealer visits when the camper was off. If you have to get it serviced with the camper on, I’d recommend writing prominently on the estimate form you sign prior to the work, “CAUTION - With camper installed, front axle weight is X, rear axle weight is Y.”

 

[GflGdog]

In addition, I would demand that the only lift used to be a 4 post lift, with runways. Having spent my life in that industry, this is the only way my setup will be hoisted.

 

[Sagebrush Reconnoiterer]

Back in the last decade of my working years, I worked at a Chrysler/Dodge/Ram/Jeep dealership; as well as at auto parts stores, delivering to garages and dealerships. I've seen numerous acts of stupidity, inexperience, employees that have no place working in a garage, acts of vindictiveness by mechanics, lazy and inattentive acts that caused damage at the garage or soon after. Though I've not witnessed a toppled vehicle, I've heard of it happening.

It's a wonder that no one was under or beside the truck when it came down. A couple years ago an independent garage here accidentally put gas in a diesel truck; trying to remove the gas somehow it ignited and blew up, destroying the truck, building, killing the tech and burning another with 3rd degree burns over the majority of his body.

I'm hoping your dealer is a large one with deep pockets and conscientious enough to make you whole again.

EDIT: I just realized that this is an old thread that had a new post previous to mine. Update please?

 

[rubberlegs]

We have a rental shop in town with tools and lifts, which I used to install new leaf springs. I hoped I could lift the truck with the camper on. They said no problem, it's 10,000 lb capacity and their ceiling was high enough.

But I'd read this thread and was a little nervous. I weighed the front and rear axles and used the numbers to calculate the center of gravity (CG). The shop sets up the lift for you, but boy did I watch like a hawk as they placed the support arms under the truck. They taught us how to use the lift and we were on our own.

I figured the CG was 20" in front of the rear lift arms, but it didn't seem like much margin of error. Definitely it wasn't half way between the axles. Just to help a little bit, I threw the four heavy camper jacks in the passenger front seat for extra "ballast" to move the CG forward a bit more, although they were behind the front axle so not THAT much help. Anyway, the truck lifted ok -- we lifted it a few inches and then carefully continued up to where we could work on the leaf springs.

Whew!

The new leaf springs are another story for another day.

 

[goinoregon]

thx for posting. good luck with this. it does not appear to be a thing that is going to be resolved quickly.