Shell indentation

**DanSTL** · 12-30-2023, 12:05 PM

After my third TM outing I’ve noticed a depression on the passenger shell, looks a closure issue .

This is new but haven’t changed anything other than getting more comfortable (and maybe too aggressive) with closure. Any ideas exactly what is causing this and what might need adjustment?

Shane826 · 12-30-2023, 01:06 PM

Well that’s a new one… First things first make sure all the lift arm heights are correct. If they are out of whack it causes all
Kinds of binding issues. Other than that I got nothing

**Bill** · 12-30-2023, 04:49 PM

Since the depression is on the outside of the rear shell, that means something on the inside of the front shell pressed or slid on it. I would first close and latch the rear shell, then grab a 2-foot piece of masking tape and stick it vertically on the depressed area, so the bottom end hangs down. Then close the front shell slowly and carefully, gradually covering the tape until the wall is a foot or so short of closing. Now put another piece of marker tape on the wall of the front shell, at the same location as the tape on the inner shell, and open it back up again. Now check the inside of the front shell wall at the place indicated by the second tape. Is there anything protruding from the inside of the wall at that point? Or is the inside of the wall scratched at all?

Assuming you have a 2720, it appears to be right in the area of the rear edge of the upper half of the Dutch door frame. There must be something fairly rigid at that point, and even if it wouldn't normally contact the rear shell, an overzealous slam down of the front shell caused it to push inward.

Bill

**Larryjb** · 12-30-2023, 04:53 PM

Nothing from the trailer should have creased the shell at that location. Is it possible you pushed on the shell towards the door side when closing it one day? I'm wondering if the torque may have creased it. The shells are quite literally a piece of styrofoam in between two sheets of aluminum. There is an aluminum perimeter frame around each panel though.

**Bill** · 12-30-2023, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larryjb

Is it possible you pushed on the shell towards the door side when closing it one day?

Larry -

I like that thought. The wall of the upper shell in that area (lower corner, aft of the upper half of the Dutch door) is kind of flexy. The bag seal is supposed to keep the two surfaces apart, but if the front shell was binding on the way down, and a good solid sideways push in that area was used as a "helper", it could have caused the contact.

Bill

Shane826 · 12-30-2023, 07:54 PM

I don’t think that was caused by the front shell seeing as that spot is not covered by the front shell when closed. Note the rub strip where the bag seal on the open end of the front shell is supposed to rest…

**Bill** · 12-31-2023, 05:37 AM

Right you are. Didn't spot that - too much Christmas cheer, I guess.

But if the front shell didn't hit it on the way down, and nothing else is in range to touch it, then I am like you - I got nuthin'. And I'm not sure how a lift arm mis-adjustment could be related. The edges of the crease look dead straight, so I'm not sure how a misplaced torque could have caused it. I can't even think of a way that a skewed bed slide could have done that.

I guess my money is on some external source of pressure from some square-edged object or device. A car door? Something in the garage as the TM was backed in and turned a bit?

Bill

**DanSTL** · 12-31-2023, 08:43 AM

Thanks lots of good info here, while I can’t think of any event that would’ve caused it I’ll watch for a culprit in the garage or on the TM and hopefully can chalk this up as a cosmetic issue and nothing more.

Interestingly only impact I’m aware of was on my way to the TM factory this October when a very large class A clipped the other side of the queen bed while I slept (Loves truck stop) and fled before I woke up and realized what happened. The impact bent the latches that secure shell when open, broke wardrobe hinge , and cracked vertical edge trim - all of which I had fixed at factory.

Definitely did not have this crease damage and unless somehow there was a delay in it appearing, I can’t figure it out either.

Shane826 · 12-31-2023, 12:51 PM

Holy crap! Sounds like “clipped” is being generous! Did you get a plate number or anything? I’d be FURIOUS.

**Bill** · 12-31-2023, 01:59 PM

So the "clip" was on the left side of the trailer, and the depression is on the right? And the depression wasn't there at the factory? Or at least wasn't noticed? It sounds like the entire back end of the rear shell was pushed violently to the side, but the lift arm didn't move with it. Shane, Larry, isn't the lift arm attached to the shell via the pocket stop in this area? Could sudden movement of the shell but not the lift arm or pocket stop have somehow made the inward dent (depression), or set up the conditions for later addition of the depression as the shell was closed?

I have to admit that I am hypothesizing well beyond my level of knowledge, but you guys are the experts.

Bill