Fine Tuning The Lifting Mechanisim

Thanks Happy, Ray and Windy.

The latch adjustment is not going to help me ultimately. It's like my rear clamshell is misaligned slightly. If I could stand at the rear of the TM and push on the curbside corner hard enough it would align properly. Of course, I can't do this but I offer this just for illustration.

Can I adjust the torsion arm somehow?

Scott

Yes you can, there is a good discusion on that, do a search on torsion arm and you should get it. Very detailed, about 6 months ago.

If I have a black streak across the front half of the shell on the inside of the trailer do i need to increase or decrease the tension on the bolts?

[RockyMtnRay]

If I have a black streak across the front half of the shell on the inside of the trailer do i need to increase or decrease the tension on the bolts?

The black streak is basically dirt and grime that's worked its way into the front seal of the rear shell. That seal sets roughly under the middle of the front shell ceiling when the TM is closed. Because the shells do have some wiggle due to seal compression when closed, the dirt is being transferred to the ceiling of the front shell.

Thoroughly cleaning the roof seals (and the ceiling) would be my first course of action. You may not have to do anything to the holddown adjustment bolts.

Originally Posted by Denny_A

CO Cop,

Yes! Here's what I posted about adjustment a while back and ammended for your case:

Look at the underside of the frame. You will see large bolt heads projecting straight down toward the ground. Two front and rear, and 4 in the center. Or, 4 on the left and 4 on the right. Each bolt is on the opposite side of the trailer from the lift bar it assists!

The bolts are cranked in or out, as needed, to adjust the torsion which will develop when the shells are "closing", while being made ready for towing. Adjustments should be made with the shell up (low/no torsion load), and only in small increments.

With the shells raised (min torsion) adjust the bolt "in" to increase torsion and "out" to reduce. The Torsion rods extend all the way across the underside of the frame.

So, let's say the torsion of the aft shell needs to be *increased*. Raise the the rear shell. At the rear most lift bars, look under the trailer and find the 2 bolt heads. Turn the left (or Rt) bolt IN about 1/2 turn. Do the same on the other. Lower the shell and then raise it. Note change, if any to the ease of lifting. If it improved, but still needs more adjustment, then adjust the forward lift torsion bars - of the rear shell. Use the same amount of adjustment - 1/2 turn. Recheck the opening forces.

At this point, all four bolts have been adjusted equally. If further fine tuning is needed, it becomes twist-and-try . Maybe all bolts need another 1/2 turn, or possibly a quarter turn has to be removed from each. Just take it slow, and keep track of how many turns of torsion were added/subtracted to/from each bolt.

If one side of the shell (say center, curb side) becomes cattywampus when closing and is difficult to latch, then the bolt for that one torsion bar should be adjusted individually. When complete, the shell should open easily, as advertised, and when closing, both of the center portions (of each shell) should come to rest so that the shell is level horizontally, ready for final latch engagement.

HTH ==== Denny_A

Denny thanks for this post. It took two people to close and latch my new 2619. After reading your instructions I adjusted the torsion bars and now one person can close it without a lot of strain. This saved me a 5 hour round trip drive to the dealer.

I'm going to the TM rally in Pataluma CA in Oct and looking forward to watching experanced TM'ers opening their rigs. I have a bad leg so it is tough for me to open alone. I'm even hoping someone might open mine up for me to see if it is working right.

Thanks

I am right handed. I can open both shells with only my left hand, as long as the TM is level. My wife can open them, but she needs both hands.

My daughter can not close the shells. I think the bars are adjusted a little too tight. My daughter does not weigh enough to bounce the shells latched.

I'll be at the ralley, but won't arrive until around 8pm Friday.

Originally Posted by PopBeavers

I am right handed. I can open both shells with only my left hand, as long as the TM is level. My wife can open them, but she needs both hands.

My daughter can not close the shells. I think the bars are adjusted a little too tight. My daughter does not weigh enough to bounce the shells latched.

I'll be at the ralley, but won't arrive until around 8pm Friday.

Well I will be there on Thursday, so I will not wait for you to arrive but if we are both on the grounds at the same time. If you will let me open your TM to see how a person does it with just his one arm. That would be helpfull.
Thanks,
John

I am willing to sit back, have a cold beverage of my choice, and watch you practice setting up my TM all you want.

[countrygirl]

Happy Trails...thanks for being so willing to help. Where is your web page? Never mind...I found the web page.