Pandemic Girl Camper from NJ (1 year square drop owner)

[Msjitterbug]

a little help with length of crossbars needed for my 61" wide square drop. With 8" (Rapid Gutter Feet for Thule Crossbars - Rain Gutters - 8" Tall). Any help is appreciated. Would 60" work?

I'm about the connect with Thule to ask as Etrailer was not helpful but recommended to contact Thule.

Kelly

 

[Msjitterbug]

In your boxes, you'll find the manual:

https://www.ironman4x4.com/wp-conte...-270-XTR-143Awning-Owners-Manual-FINAL-OL.pdf

If it were me, I'd bolt (not screw) Thule artificial rain gutter brackets to the walls at the prescribed distances in the manual and purchase either Thule or Yakima racks with feet that will fit rain gutters. Both companies make them. Make sure the U-bolts in the kit will fit the bars.

I'd seal the bolt holes with oil-based polyurethane varnish, let them dry, and add a bit of Lexel sealant while installing. The brackets come with gaskets, but I'd add the Lexel--not silicone.

Tony

Tony!
I purchased as you suggested and things are arriving....So here I am stuck on dumb! Well not really dumb just still nervous about installation. I have a few photo's here of my situation, I'd like some input if you could.

So I purchased the 8" feet (thank god I did) I will need to mount the feet and rapid gutter 1" below the top of the camper due to the trim being in the way (attached photo's). In my opinion it appears that I need to bump out the foot bracket away from my camper (add the thickness with a block of wood possibly) so it can lay flush to the camper wall. Also it appears that the inside of my camper has a thicker trim so drilling from the outside in seems risky (attached photo).

 

[Pmullen503]

A hardwood or birch plywood spacer is what you need. Seal it really well on all sides before you install (including any bolt holes). Paint it to match the trailer or the bracket. I would through bolt it to the sidewalls rather than just screws. You can use and acorn nut on the inside for a little more finished look.

 

[Tony Latham]

A hardwood or birch plywood spacer is what you need. Seal it really well...

I agree. You might put all four of the spacers in a baggie with an oil-based polyurethane varnish and let them soak overnight.

You'll get there.

Tony

 

[Msjitterbug]

Thank you to Paul and Tony for the guidance you are providing me.

All the best,
Kelly

 

[Msjitterbug]

A hardwood or birch plywood spacer is what you need. Seal it really well...

I agree. You might put all four of the spacers in a baggie with an oil-based polyurethane varnish and let them soak overnight.

You'll get there.

Tony

Okay Tony and Paul! all parts have arrived (love gear trade...saved $100 on the crossbars and also $50 on the rapid gutters from there). The crossbars are assembled and I'm so happy that I can trim the ends after installation. I was sweating getting the right length so the endcaps would fit properly. SO I have identified that a 3/4" spacer will suffice. The photo is just an example it's not going to scrape or touch the trim. I have a great piece of wood but have no clue what type it is. It was a dickens to saw by hand to get a sample spacer. I have attached the barcode not sure if there is an abbreviation I am missing that might help in telling me what type of wood it is.

quick note about myself I am a full-time caregiver to special needs and seniors so camping has become my sanctuary since the pandemic. My eldest client is 90 and he's loving this "action"...it's a great topic for conversation the minute I walk in the door, he'll say even before hello......"ya know I was thinking.............(fill in the blank)". Hahahaha! Ahhh Mr. Brown.

 

[Tom&Shelly]

That's oak.

Tom

 

[Msjitterbug]

it's a keeper I'm guessing by the wink. Okay I'll proceed forward until the next step..

In the meantime Mr. Brown (my client) recommended I measure the outside of the camper and then the inside to help me with placement of the brackets (by the way he also suggested I run the bolts through the inside out for a flush finished look).

 

[Msjitterbug]

okay...It's happening! I have installed the 1st bar on the camper and am super pleased with my work. Thank you guys for helping. Tony, PMullen, Twisted lines just to name a few of you. I am super proud at the moment but cautiously optimistic until the full set up is installed.

 

[Tony Latham]

Your camper setup sounds cozy with those wind chimes. For maintenance and upgrades, forums like this are great for tips. As for cross bars, I've heard Thule's a solid choice, but check your camper's specs and budget.

When bots give advice garnered from AI, is it like some kind of sexual bot excitement?

I'm asking for Tom and Shelly.

Tony

 

[Tom&Shelly]

Your camper setup sounds cozy with those wind chimes. For maintenance and upgrades, forums like this are great for tips. As for cross bars, I've heard Thule's a solid choice, but check your camper's specs and budget.

When bots give advice garnered from AI, is it like some kind of sexual bot excitement?

I'm asking for Tom and Shelly.

Tony

I presume the name "Shinola" is to be taken ironically. He's the other brown.

Amazing he joined us in July 2014 and didn't post anything until the three this morning.

Pandemic Girl, I'm sorry he's garbaging up your folder!

Tom

 

[Msjitterbug]

Team!

Thanks for the encouragement, I just read the post and was like, "who is NOW bringing the black rain down on my post, I don't care what AI says you all have made me feel so proud of myself." I'm still working on it of course but I can see the light.

 

[Msjitterbug]

In preparing for the next few steps I opened the batwing box and pulled out the U bolts. The U bolts do not fit my crossbars "Thule Probar" so my question is should I purchase the T bolts for the Thule probar or should I just get new U bolts at Lowes?

Comments or concerns?

Thanks
Kelly

 

[Msjitterbug]

It's UP!!!! I have a few tweeks to do, but still it's up!!!!! Hip hip horray

1. change out bolts for T bolts (should arrive today)
2. cut down cross bars for snug fit of awning (currently over 4" between batwing and camper)
3. seal again "mistake hole"
4. spackle and sand any blemishes inside

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE!

all the best,
Pandemic Girl

 

[Tom&Shelly]

It's UP!!!!

Looks great!

Tom

 

[twisted lines]

Nice

 

[Pmullen503]

Nice clean installation. Good job!

 

[Tony Latham]

Great job!!!

Tony

 

[pchast]

Well Done!

 

[Msjitterbug]

2024 Maiden Voyage to Spruce Run the day of the NJ earthquake (epicenter just 9 miles away). I've had this site booked since January, who knew it was earthquake day 4.8. It was crazy to feel as I have not felt an earthquake before. We had an after shock at 6:30pm that night also.

Anyway, the hubby joined in the trip. Happy to report she drove lovely, deployed as expected and was such a great addition. It took me 11 minutes to put it away by myself which I am also happy with.

I am so proud of myself for installing the ironman batwing. I can't want to use it all summer. Thanks again for all the help and encouragement on getting me to do this myself. I am so so proud my family is sick of hearing about it. LOL! Enjoy the photo's.