Hinge pin movement

[jcanavera]

Last year I noticed that one of the hinge pins on the door was working its way out. I tried a couple of gentle taps and it didn't want to move.
While at Jackson Center I mentioned it and the door was realigned and the pin was pushed down with a nice silver metalic substance that "sealed" the top of the pin.

I noticed by late fall that the pin was starting to work its way up again and will eventually break through the seal. I didn't want to beat too hard on the pin with the fear of flatting out the top.

Is this just one of those things that I'll need to address on an infrequent basis or is there something else wrong here?

Jack

[Inland RV Center, In]

The hinge pin will work it's way out because of improper running gear balance. When the balance is not correct, the entrance door shakes at a high frequency, therefore pushing the pin up. You should also see some wear on the striker bolt. Hammering the pin back down is not a problem. Andy

[jcanavera]

Running gear balance? Ok so are we talking about wheel balance on the trailer or tow vehicle? Any other sources? Wouldn't normal towing generate some vibrations? I've seen hinge pins ride up on home doors at times. No vibration there other than the open and close.

If trailer, I would guess that wheel balance is a warranty issue that I'll take up with my dealer.

Jack

[Inland RV Center, In]

Jack. Bumps are shock waves,not vibrations. As I have said, many times over, running gear on an Airstream trailer, "MUST," be properly balanced. That means the hub, drum, tire and wheel. You have experienced just one of many things that can and do happen, when balancing is not correct.
I also think you will find, that balancing is not a dealer or warranty issue, but instead, it's an owner responsibility.
Look up our web site, inlandrv.com, click on articles, and then click on "wheel balance." This type of balancing is better than 1/4 ounce for an assembly that weighs over 80 pounds, and lasts over 10,000 miles. Andy

[jcanavera]

Andy,
I guess your point that the pin is rising and your statement that balancing is an issue and is my responsiblility is valid to a point if the trailer had some longer term use and was out of warranty.

Since it is only 11 months old and probably has no more than 3,000 miles on it and the pin was repaired under warranty when the trailer was 3 months old I think I have a valid claim to go back to the dealer at A/S's expense to correct the problem, albeit the correction may require balancing of the tires/wheel assembly or some other issue.

I will check out your web site on this issue. Thanks!

Jack

[Inland RV Center, In]

Jack. Your welcome. Say hi to Bill Thomas for me, if you see him. Andy

[jcanavera]

Shall do Andy. I looked at your page. Who truly (other than you probably) does a wheel balance like this? Is this the process that the dealers go through and is this the A/S procedure...or is this what you have learned through TSOHK (the school of hard knocks)?

Jack

[JaceBeck]

Jack,
Did you ever resolve the hinge pin issue? I have the same problem on my '99 25C and it definitely is not the running gear on mine(with due respect to Andy). I know this because the pin works its way out of the bottom hinge just by my opening and closing the door even when the trailer has not been moved for weeks. I tried some Loc-Tite on it but that didn't work. Have you had any other ideas?

I do gently tap it back in with a hammer every time I see it has worked it's way out far enough.
Jace

[gwsullivan]

Andy, can you give me some sort of cost estimate to balance a dual axle A/S? Also, how long does it typically take? My Safari just turned 13,000 miles and although I haven't noticed any unusual tire wear or things bouncing out of the cupboards it may be a good precaution.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Jerry. The wheel balance is flat rated at .4 hours per wheel, or 1.6 hours for your four wheels.
We usually do it by appointment, so that you can wait for the work to be completed. Total in-out time is about 2 hours.
Andy

[JaceBeck]

Jack,
Finally fixed the hinge pin problem. After I let it drift out far enough, I carefully got some Loctite in there and drove it back down. Hasn't come out since and we used the RV heavily in the Smoky's for two weeks straight.
JC

[Rick Gillis]

I have the same problem on my '99 Safari 25A, with the bottom hinge pin always working its way out. My solution has always been a small tap with some wood, so to not flatten the top of the pin. I'll try the locktite trick next time the pin comes out for a visit.

Rick

[JaceBeck]

Rick,
Let it drift way out, so the scored lines in the top of the pin are fully exposed. Wipe the pin clean of all grease, then put the Loctite on the scored threads only and drive it back down. Let it sit, without opening for at least several hours to a full day.
Jace

[jcanavera]

Originally posted by JaceBeck
Jack,
Did you ever resolve the hinge pin issue

Jace,

I lost track of this thread and just saw your post from May.

No I haven't resolved this although the pin has only raised a small amount this year. I haven't brought the trailer back to the dealer for any follow up warranty issues this year. I like your idea of Loctite. Based on what I am seeing so far it may take a couple of years of travel for the pin to work up high enough.

Thanks for the info.

Regards,

Jack

[JaceBeck]

Jack,
Still no problems since I used the Loctite. Hasn't moved a millimeter. Only used a drop or two.

Thanks for the advice on the 30 footer question. I'm really not in the mood to drop more money, as I have no debt on the 25C, but really would like the extra room, especially in the bed & bath area. I can't stand that corner bed in the Safari.
All the best,
Jace

[jcanavera]

My wife has now had second thoughts about the twin beds on our 27'. We initially chose the twins because it looked like we had more storage space, and the access around a single bed, although more than the 25' seemed too tight for comfort. At this point she says the corner curve bothers her. One of the reasons we bypassed the 25' was that corner bed.

Jack