Front Shell Center Latch failure

gonzo628 · 05-02-2016, 01:16 PM

We took our maiden voyage in the TM and it was mostly a success. Unfortunately, I forgot the cheater bar to lift the shackles on our weight distributing hitch at the campground... But, more importantly, my door-side front shell center hold down latch (for lack official name) failed on the ride home. Fortunately, the spring action in the lever kept the latch attached the to the shell (on the shell's catch). the bolts, however, worked themselves loose and have left the trailer. I am going to take a bolt from the other side so that I can match hardware and replace the two bolts. The question is: How do I prevent this from happening again.

NOTE: Previously, in the six months I've owned the trailer, I noticed this latch loose -first because a gap had developed in the area between the front and rear shells (door-side) when it was closed and secondly because the latch had developed some play. I tightened this all back up and it appeared to hold well as we opened and closed the trailer a number of times (chomping at the bit to go camping the first time).

gonzo628 · 05-02-2016, 02:11 PM

Thanks. I remember reading your post (pertaining to this issue). I am going to take one of the other side off and match hardware, then get nylon nuts also. I wonder if a mild locktite would be appropriate?

Worthy of note: all of my hold-down latches are secured with bolts (no rivets).

Bowfreak · 05-02-2016, 03:24 PM

I always attach the hitch to the ball, jack it up attached to the ball and then attached the WDH arms. I can usually do that by hand and don't need the leverage arm/rod.

**Bill** · 05-02-2016, 04:09 PM

Gonzo -

All is well. If you replace the bolts, and use nylock nuts, it won't happen again. You don't need Loctite, though it can't hurt. Belt and suspenders.

As Bowfreak says, you don't have to have the cheater bar. Just drop the coupler onto the ball and latch it, then crank the tongue jack up AND UP! You will eventually lift it to the point where you can raise the chain hangers without a cheater bar. An annoying solution if you don't have an electric jack - but not crippling.

Bill

gonzo628 · 05-02-2016, 04:25 PM

Fortunately, prior the maiden voyage, I installed a Barker VIP 3500 lb electric tongue jack. I know that the jack can lift both (I've done it), but wasn't sure if it was good to lift both, so I just lower the tongue to where it barely sets on the ball, attach my brackets, and finish pulling the jack leg up...

Now, having the harbor freight WDH with the thick chain, I've needed to knock the chain off the hangers, for which i used the cheater bar...

tentcamper · 05-02-2016, 05:25 PM

The latch; I have had the rivet break free and I replaced with a 1" 1/4 - 20 bolt and nylon lock nut and a few washers. Now a must have in my spare parts.

But it sounds like you had the 2 nuts and bolts come free. Mine have stayed tight. It sounds like they were lose and free themselves from the road vibration. They have a large nut and I believe a lock washer.

gonzo628 · 05-02-2016, 06:30 PM

So, I don't have any rivets in the hold down latches (perhaps a design change somewhere along the line)? If not, a PO removed them and installed the bolts. The bolts that went AWOL did not have fender washers (whereas the other side does). The new bolts will have fender washers (perhaps a bit larger than the existing) and nylon nuts. (But first, I must eat dinner)... To be continued...

gonzo628 · 05-02-2016, 06:52 PM

anyone have any idea what happened to the original post #2? My reply, which is now #2, no longer makes sense. Further, I was trying to reference his post to now go out and buy my hardware...

tentcamper · 05-02-2016, 07:32 PM

The rivet I lost was the one that holds the latch that springs open and closed. They were still putting this latch on in 2014 when we were at the factory, because they took one off the production line when we bought a replacement. My latch assembly is held in place by 2 bolts, 2 lock washers and 2 large nuts (nuts with greater then normal tread surface area).

Not sure nylon lock nuts will work? I think the nylon over time will stretch and the latch assembly will slip and you will lose the center latch roof hold down adjustment?? But you sure will not lose the nuts.

Padgett · 05-02-2016, 07:37 PM

Whenever I have something like that happen I use the Harley Davidson philosophy: any thing that breaks replace with the next larger size. I also keep an assortment of fender washers on hand.