Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[GPW]

My 12' TD had a short tongue ... my truck bumper is the mangled proof ...

Weatherman promises 70 F by Friday ... Trailer time ... (finally ! )

[eaglesdare]

anyone built one of these before? see the top arrow, there are 2 silver U shaped bolts, that are suppose to go over that long round piece [axle?} and then it gets screwed to where the bottom arrow is pointing. that is a square silver flat piece.

any advise from those that have built these things? those U bolts don't seem to want to go into that square flat piece and still go around that long round piece.

[eaglesdare]

ok here are the proper terms:

the U bolts [2 of them] are suppose to go around the axle [which sits on the leaf spring]. then those U bolts get screwed into the spring plate.

the problem we have is getting those U bolts around the axle and lined up with the spring plates.

question is: is there an easy way to do this? has anyone used clamps to get those bolts to go into the holes in the spring plate?

i hate for this one little thing to hold us up. i have been going behind hubby to make sure he is reading and following the instructions properly and it looks like he is. so i can't see why there should be a problem at this step.

so if anyone else has built these and has any advice as to get this step done please share.

[Wolffarmer]

Do the u bolts go over the axle with out using force?

Will the u bolts go in the plates when not being put over the axle?

If they don't go into the plates how far off are they?

As we say in farm mechanics. "Don't use force. Get a bigger hammer"

Randy

[eaglesdare]

Do the u bolts go over the axle with out using force?

Will the u bolts go in the plates when not being put over the axle?

If they don't go into the plates how far off are they?

As we say in farm mechanics. "Don't use force. Get a bigger hammer"

Randy

hmm, not to sure about going over the axle part, although i think i remember hearing some banging when hubby was doing that part. so maybe he just needed a bigger hammer?

i just checked on the second question and yes the u bolts will go into the plates without a problem.

so i suppose we could semi screw the bolts in the plate and then get a bigger hammer to assist in going over the axle. oh wait no that won't work, because that plate has to be under the leaf spring.
hmmm.. maybe we can try a bigger hammer and a clamp and hope that works.

[Wolffarmer]

To much paint on the axle?

If it is not off by much a clamping device might do it. If it is off a lot look for problems on the axle as the u bolts fits the spring plates

[Wolffarmer]

Is axle square? or is it slightly rectangle?

[parnold]

The u-bolts are supposed to be a snug fit on the axle. The tolerances are just slightly off. Using a clamp will be a good solution, just be careful not to bugger up the threads with the clamp. I had problem with one of my u-bolts also.

[Wolffarmer]

When you do get the U bolts through the spring plates, tighten the nuts up evenly. A turn on each one in turn, until all is tight.

Try doing this on a manure covered truck with a 3/4 ratchet drive. And not in a shop



Randy

[eaglesdare]

Is axle square? or is it slightly rectangle?

huh? isn't it round?

our directions list our axle as a long round tube like piece.

haven't gone out there yet today to try it again. too cold still.

[eaglesdare]

The u-bolts are supposed to be a snug fit on the axle. The tolerances are just slightly off. Using a clamp will be a good solution, just be careful not to bugger up the threads with the clamp. I had problem with one of my u-bolts also.

ok great, thanks. that gives me confidence that we are doing it right.

[eaglesdare]

one quick question:

those u bolts are suppose to go all the way down on the axle right? i mean the u part will sit on the axle, right?

sorry about asking dumb questions. i just want to make sure we do it right and i am a girl [well an old lady] , blonde by nature.

[Wolffarmer]

Oh, you got a round one. I was just thinking about a rectangle one I have on a trailer here.

[GPW]

Right !!! Like Parnold said : "The u-bolts are supposed to be a snug fit on the axle. " And those bolts are probably a machine fit (close) so a bit of grease on the threads might help ... I used bees wax FWIW..

[Wolffarmer]

Yes, the u bolts will need to fit snug on the axle with no space at all.