- This topic has 12 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 1 month ago by
moo2613.
moo2613.- Topic
- moo2613
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Well, after many hard miles over the past 12 years (We picked her up on May 23, 2010), poor Cami has developed some butt sag (rear of the camper is visibly sagging a little). Not the end of the road type of situation, just noticeable when you look at the side trim strip. I do suspect some sort of sag or bend in the frame. Also, the Full Wall Slide is almost rubbing against the top of the opening in the rear (I can’t hardly get a finger between them) where as the front has plenty of space.
We have no intention of replacing her since to this day, we still feel like we never get to spend enough time in her. So, for her 12th birthday, we would like to get her “lifted back to normal”. If the factory was still open, I would try to set something up there. First option is to get with Tiara RV that we bought her from in Elkhart, IN and see if they still have any of the Cameo specialists working there (at the time of purchase, most of the staff had worked at the Carriage factory). Another option would be to try the Kansas RV center that I have read about in other posts. I guess we are looking for any thoughts and / or suggestions. I do not think there is a major structural issue or we would have seen cracked walls or something by now. Inside the diver side rear compartment, the little wall on the left (where my in-line surge protector is) has been pushed loose and will no longer fit back in place. Thanks for any thoughts
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- CLOC-Admin
We have a 2011 Cameo 32FWS that has similar issues. Although, the “sag” looks more like the stance leans to the left (full wall slide). FW slide is also rubbing at the top of the opening in the rear. I’ll be interested to see how others reply. Just recently noticed the “lean” after our last long trip in 2019. 2018, I replaced the shear springs.
B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TXExpired Member- Topics - 40
- Replies - 107
- Total - 147
You might consider installing the independent suspension from Morryde. I had there suspension installed about 4 years ago with no problems. My cameo rides much much better. Worth the cost.
Expired Member- Topics - 40
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- Total - 147
You might consider installing the independent suspension from Morryde. I had there suspension installed about 4 years ago with no problems. My cameo rides much much better. Worth the cost.=
moo2613- Topics - 14
- Replies - 43
- Total - 57
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I upgraded that side to the heavier shear spring several years ago and it really helped with the lean to the driver side. I also added a leaf to all of the springs back in 2011 after I dented the frame with the axle on a trip.
CLOC-Admin<!–more–>I think there are 2 different issues being addressed here. I have a 2013 Lifestyle FWS and I have the same issue as moo2613. My unit doesn’t lean but from the rear axle back there’s a very noticeable drop or sag all the way to the rear of the trailer. What makes it so noticeable is the trim strip. When my slides are in it looks as if the frame is bent or broken thus the reason for the sag. I’ve no cracks or leaks and the roof shows no sign of any issues. I have IS suspension so the trailer has always had smooth ride. I’ve not removed under belly covering yet but will when the weather turns warmer. If anyone has had this problem, what caused it and what was the remedy. Thanks
B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TXJohnD222- Topics - 8
- Replies - 518
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Moo,
your comment “I do not think there is a major structural issue or we would have seen cracked walls or something by now. Inside the diver side rear compartment, the little wall on the left (where my in-line surge protector is) has been pushed loose and will no longer fit back in place.” Has me wondering if anyone ever picked up the back of the trailer with hd jacks at the rear frame versus using the big foots. That might have bent the frame and would explain the inability to no longer fit the little wall (that hides antennae junction etc). There is a slide roller mounted to the frame back behind the rear axle somewhere. So it might be that the slide is higher rather than the 5er rear end is sagging. Or it could be the slide is level and the frame is sagging behind that roller.
find a hard level surface – a concrete slab camp spot is probably best. Disconnect from truck and lever 5er with big fonts. There is a trim piece that runs along the full length between the fiberglass wall of the 5er and the dark colored metal lower piece. That should be about the same height above the concrete slab. Not perfect, but about. If there is a noticeable shorter height at the rear, the rear frame has lost its cantilever. If there is a noticeable taller height, someone bent the frame upwards by lifting the 5er from the extreme rear. The double framing ends a bit behind the big foots and that framing section is not built to support the massive weight.
now roll out the big FWS. Ignoring the nose, is the bottom of that slide about the same height above the concrete in the front, middle and back?
JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)moo2613- Topics - 14
- Replies - 43
- Total - 57
Thanks JohnD222. The trailer has never been picked up by anything other than the Big foots, so we can check that one off. I have never left the camper with anyone and any repair work has been done in my shop by mobile repair.
I will check the heights one day this week as it is setting on my level concrete shop floor. Thanks for the input. That metal trim strip is the same one I was referring to when talking about the visual sag.
moo2613- Topics - 14
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- Total - 57
It seems that only the driver side rear corner is sagging by 1/2″. All 3 other corners were the same height.
JohnD222- Topics - 8
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Moo,
if this is the lower trim strip when on wheels, you have on that side one or more bad spring bolts/bushings, or a bad rubber equalizer. If it had always been that way it is simply because that side is 1,000 pound heavier than curb side on a 36FWS unit, pretty close to grossing out 7k springs.
If this is lower trim strip when leveled with big foot, the rear portion of the frame has lost it’s upward camber.
It seems that only the driver side rear corner is sagging by 1/2″. All 3 other corners were the same height.
JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)moo2613- Topics - 14
- Replies - 43
- Total - 57
That measurement was taken while leveled on the bigfoots. Is the camber fixable?
JohnD222- Topics - 8
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- Total - 526
When it went bad on my last non-Carriage 5er, I was looking at $10k per side, taking about a month per side. Slides had to be removed and after that, the entire outer skin (side panel of fiberglass and wood that is glued to aluminum frame). I took it to Indiana where I could get an entire 8-foot tall by 40-foot long replacement side panel. (Locally slides had to be removed and they would cut an splice back a smaller partial panel.). Once panel is removed, the frame is cut about 8-feet from the rear, unit jacked up just a bit in rear, then steel welded in place to keep the upward cantilever. What started out as one side ended up as both sides by the time I took the trip. It was gorgeous inside, but $20k was too much. I took a big hit and sold it to someone that wanted to move it to a permanent year round campsite, and bought my Cameo 36FWS.
it was not a safety issue at that point. If I hadn’t plans for a lot of cross country travel, I would have kept it and lived with the inconvenience for a few years or maybe try welding reinforcement (without removing slide and outer skin) so it did not get any worse.
JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)moo2613- Topics - 14
- Replies - 43
- Total - 57
Thank you!
CLOC-Admin
Expired Member
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