Couch reinstall

[lightng]

I have a couch that needs to be reistalled. The interior was gutted and new wood in the rear and linoleum laid through out. The problem is the mechanic did not reinstall the couch. Has anyone done a reinstall with pics? I have to start learning to do this stuff. I'm getting taken to the cleaners big time for any little or large repair. Half the time the work is wrong.Thanks for any help

[idroba]

Over the years AS has used many couches and systems to mount them. More information on your unit is needed to give you any help. Year and model especially.

[lightng]

I have a 2001 25ft. Excella. The couch is the jack knife one. Hope that makes sence. I'm a bit of a gringo

[idroba]

OK, 2001 25' Excella owners, step up to the plate and help. I know mostly about vintage units, and cannot give good advice on the later ones such as this.

[lightng]

I suspect I have to expose the belly pan to get to the something or another thingy.

[bganso]

On our '94 Excella, the couch attaches to the plywood floor with wood screws...nothing fancy.

Post some pics of the space where the couch goes, along with pics of the couch.

[lightng]

The local AS dealer used wood screws. The couch came up after I came out of the drive way. They charged me $100 for 4 wood screws. I gave them back to them and got a refund. I'll see what I can do about some pics. Thanks for the interest.

[lightng]

Ok, here goes first attempt posting pics. This is the bottom of the couch. As you can see the jack knife couch is standard issue. The rails are demonstrated in the pic. Thanks

[lightng]

[idroba]

I am trying to help, but have not seen how the factory did it originally. I wonder if lag screws were used? They would be large enough to grab into the plywood floor. Other than that, some kind of fastener which had a toggle on the back side to hold it from pulling out of the floor might have been used, sort of like a threaded inset for wood. The overturning forces on the back side bolts would be the greatest when the jack knife bed is flat and someone is out on the overhanging front sleeping, so the back ones would be the ones to need to prevent uplift, or pulling out of the floor.

[lightng]

I believe lag screws may have been in there before. I'm thinking that some kind of flange on the external side would be the most secure type of hardware. Then I would have to open the belly pan to get to it. Guess I'm going to look and see how complicated that would be. Thanks

[lightng]

Ok, I just looked at how to remove the belly pan. That is out of the question. Guess I'm going with the lag bolts.

[cwf]

Same on our 1999 34' Excella


A hardened lag bolt was used. It rusted and pulled out. It screws directly into the frame from what I can tell.

So I am going to drill hole and tap for 3/8"
Coarse thread bolt. Since using existing holes all will align enough to work.

Will use Neverseez on threads so thee don't corrode.

[lightng]

I will admit I haven't been under the AS a whole lot, but I thought the frame in the area was in the belly pan. I'll get uner it and see if I can line things up.

[cwf]

Originally Posted by lightng

I will admit I haven't been under the AS a whole lot, but I thought the frame in the area was in the belly pan. I'll get uner it and see if I can line things up.

No need to go underneath! All topside on deck of AS!

[lightng]

Maybe I'm not understanding. The floor was covered with linoleum. I can't see where the original holes are.

[cwf]

Ah!

It may be possible to find the original holes. You may see the indentations....

Pulling up linoleum in areas where the mounting tabs are on the gaucho will help locate. That way if using originals you do not put more holes in chassis than necessary.

[lightng]

I'll give it a shot. Thanks