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Old 09-18-2018, 05:57 PM   #1
Marklee
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Default Problems with the arm that holds the beds up

We have a TM 2417, 2013, that we just purchased. We noticed that the front bed (over the tow bar) is hard to move into traveling position.

On the outside, we see that the two 'arms' that hold the bed up and that are supposed to move diagonally out to the sides for travel, are tight.

On further investigation, we saw that the bolt that holds the passenger side is coming loose. This is the bolt that goes into a little piece that slides in a channel lined with 2 pieces of plastic.

This bolt has dropped low because a piece of plastic that lines the channel broke free. At sometime someone lowered the arm at the bottom to make up for the fact that the bolt hangs loose.

Our questions are:
1. IF that bolt falls out entirely, will be able to close the trailer for travel? Or open it again, for that matter?
2. Is there a way to fix this? We don't have a TM service site near by. (We're outside of Reno Nevada.)
3. Is there a way to gerry-rig it to keep it going?

Here are some photos: (Many thanks to Dick who sent the link on how to post photos, and to Bill who posted a straight forward description of how to post photos.)
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Old 09-19-2018, 04:43 AM   #2
commodor47
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The bolts you describe are designed to have some play. As a result the lock nut at the end does not get tightened more than a few threads. When you get the chance, a few photos would be helpful. (http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ad.php?t=16117)

See if these photos help in making sure the bolts are properly installed:

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...php?albumid=66

Dick
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Old 09-19-2018, 07:46 AM   #3
Marklee
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Default Thanks, Dick!

Thanks for posting those two links. I can see that our problem arm is different but I can't tell if it might fall entire out. New trailer, new technology to us!
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Old 09-24-2018, 08:07 AM   #4
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The arms are mainly to support the bed when it is extended. The bolt and washer stack up ride in the channel so the arms automatically extend with the bed. If the bolt were to come out, it would not keep you from opening or closing, you would just have to move the arm manually. I personally would not sleep on the bed without the arm being attached, but that is just me not wanting to risk ending up on the ground at 3 AM.


My 2001 currently does not have any plastic side pieces to keep the bolt in place, but they stay in the groove just fine. The plastic is just there to keep the bed from "lifting" up off the arms easily. I did order the strips and plan to install at some point, but right now, I can easily lift the bed up off the arms allowing me access to make some repairs without having to pull the whole bed frame out.


Hope that helps some and you can figure out what is going on. It also helps to lube up all pivot points of the arms, the bed rails, and make sure you pull/push the bed as straight as possible if it seems tight.
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Old 09-24-2018, 03:40 PM   #5
Marklee
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Default Thanks, Kathy

Thanks, Kathy, that was very helpful information. We don't use that bed, except for storage while camp is set up, so we just won't put too awful much weight on it! Glad to know it won't all fall apart on us.
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Old 09-25-2018, 06:31 AM   #6
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Last year, we replaced the nylon guides with metal strips the same size. It is amazing how much easier it is to open/close the bed. The nylon guides tend to wear out and warp, but the metal strips show no signs of wear at this time. We just lubricate with a silicone spray.
DH can provide details, but we found aluminum strips that were approximately the same size as the nylon guides, and used them for a template. We did have to cut the pieces to size, and drill many holes! I have to admit that this was a time consuming project, but well worth it.
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Old 09-25-2018, 02:44 PM   #7
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Default Thanks, Jampcourt!

Thanks for sharing what you did. That sounds interesting, and if we start having problems we may try it. It is a bit (but not much) harder now to close down that end of the trailer.

Diana
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