Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Well, I know it's bent, but I'm not sure what, if anything, to do about it.
Last summer we bought a 1986 30' Holiday Rambler TT from an older couple. It has virtually every option available and the interior was in excellent condition and everything worked. We were surprised of the generally excellent condition, given it's age. The price tag of $2500 seemed too good to pass up. We bought the trailer on the spot and have had great luck with it so far on about 6 camping trips.
The problem is that it has always drooped on the door side - about 1. 5" or so. Well, I think I figured out why they were selling it
. It appears as though they must have hit a big pothole or something 'cause there is a big round dent in the bottom of the frame above the leading axle. It is clear that something made the axle/spring deflect all the way up and into the frame, bending the frame in the process. The side surface of the C-channel frame is slightly buckled in this area. I can also see that the floor on the inside is buckled upwards under the sink area. This deflection is noticeable under the cabinetry for a good 6-8 feet or so and is about 1. 5" upwards at the middle point right above the leading axle. The aluminum space frame of the camper is mostly still straight. It is probably tweaked just slightly 'cause the doors rub on the door jambs slightly. You'd never notice it though looking at it from the outside. I did find a receipt in the recordbook that they had the wheel alignment corrected just prior to our purchasing it, so at least it shouldn't eat up the tires from being out of alignment.
I'm not sure if I should worry about the bend in the frame or the fact that it is drooping on the one side. I was thinking of trying to get it to at least set level by putting an extra leaf in the springs or air bags on the one side. An air bag on the leading axle would sit right where the frame is dented and bent upwards and I'm not sure if this extra pressure at this point would be a potential problem.
Any recommendations on what to do about this? I've been looking for other RV forums in the hopes of running across another similar situation. Haven't found any good RV forums yet though. Your thoughts are appreciated.
-Deon
(BTW - Sorry for such a long post)
Last summer we bought a 1986 30' Holiday Rambler TT from an older couple. It has virtually every option available and the interior was in excellent condition and everything worked. We were surprised of the generally excellent condition, given it's age. The price tag of $2500 seemed too good to pass up. We bought the trailer on the spot and have had great luck with it so far on about 6 camping trips.
The problem is that it has always drooped on the door side - about 1. 5" or so. Well, I think I figured out why they were selling it
. It appears as though they must have hit a big pothole or something 'cause there is a big round dent in the bottom of the frame above the leading axle. It is clear that something made the axle/spring deflect all the way up and into the frame, bending the frame in the process. The side surface of the C-channel frame is slightly buckled in this area. I can also see that the floor on the inside is buckled upwards under the sink area. This deflection is noticeable under the cabinetry for a good 6-8 feet or so and is about 1. 5" upwards at the middle point right above the leading axle. The aluminum space frame of the camper is mostly still straight. It is probably tweaked just slightly 'cause the doors rub on the door jambs slightly. You'd never notice it though looking at it from the outside. I did find a receipt in the recordbook that they had the wheel alignment corrected just prior to our purchasing it, so at least it shouldn't eat up the tires from being out of alignment. I'm not sure if I should worry about the bend in the frame or the fact that it is drooping on the one side. I was thinking of trying to get it to at least set level by putting an extra leaf in the springs or air bags on the one side. An air bag on the leading axle would sit right where the frame is dented and bent upwards and I'm not sure if this extra pressure at this point would be a potential problem.
Any recommendations on what to do about this? I've been looking for other RV forums in the hopes of running across another similar situation. Haven't found any good RV forums yet though. Your thoughts are appreciated.
-Deon
(BTW - Sorry for such a long post)
