Handrails / grab handles /3326 roof latch / backing plates, etc

Can you post a picture of the backing plate on your TM. Also a picture of your roof latch from the outside. I need to do something to make mine a little more stable.

Thanks

Dave

Originally Posted by dlkcub

Can you post a picture of the backing plate on your TM. Also a picture of your roof latch from the outside. I need to do something to make mine a little more stable.

Thanks

Dave

Sorry, I just had major back surgery and won't be lifting anything including the TM for a few months. Perhaps another 3326 owner can take pictures of the door side roof latch. To clarify, this is not something I did, it appears to be a factory install on the 3326. I simply re-bedded it when I bought the trailer.

Sorry for the thread hijack.

[mjlaupp]

Originally Posted by dlkcub

Can you post a picture of the backing plate on your TM. Also a picture of your roof latch from the outside. I need to do something to make mine a little more stable.

Thanks

Dave

3326 Roof Latch
I don't have a picture. Mine was loose and leaking on top of the wardrobe so I resealed and tightened it:
1) Find a 2" thick dry sponge + spacers to use on top of the wardrobe to hold the backing plate in place.
2) Remove the nuts and washers holding the saddle on the outside of the roof and remove the saddle and plate.
3) Remove the sponge from inside and pull the reinforcing plate and bolts down and out.
4) Clean all old caulking from the area.
5) Feed the bolts back through the backing plate. (I don't remember if they are attached or not)
6) Put new caulking on the bolts, push the bolts up through the roof and hold the backing plate and bolts in place with the sponge.
7) Apply liberal amounts of caulking on the roof where the saddle plate is to be installed. ( I used white silicone)
8) Bed the saddle plate down over the bolts and put a dab more caulk on the bolt ends. (The caulk on the bolts will act like locktite and provide additional sealing)
9) Install the nuts and washers and tighten a little past snug. Too much and you will crush the roof.
10) Remove the excess caulk leaving a good seal around the plate.
11) Let everything cure for a couple days before latching this shell catch.
12) Clean the caulk off of/out of the wrench you used.

excellent description of the job...

Originally Posted by mjlaupp

I don't have a picture. Mine was loose and leaking on top of the wardrobe so I resealed and tightened it:
1) Find a 2" thick dry sponge + spacers to use on top of the wardrobe to hold the backing plate in place.
2) Remove the nuts and washers holding the saddle on the outside of the roof and remove the saddle and plate.
3) Remove the sponge from inside and pull the reinforcing plate and bolts down and out.
4) Clean all old caulking from the area.
5) Feed the bolts back through the backing plate. (I don't remember if they are attached or not)
6) Put new caulking on the bolts, push the bolts up through the roof and hold the backing plate and bolts in place with the sponge.
7) Apply liberal amounts of caulking on the roof where the saddle plate is to be installed. ( I used white silicone)
8) Bed the saddle plate down over the bolts and put a dab more caulk on the bolt ends. (The caulk on the bolts will act like locktite and provide additional sealing)
9) Install the nuts and washers and tighten a little past snug. Too much and you will crush the roof.
10) Remove the excess caulk leaving a good seal around the plate.
11) Let everything cure for a couple days before latching this shell catch.
12) Clean the caulk off of/out of the wrench you used.

[mjlaupp]

Dave sent me a PM asking for pictures. I decided to post them here. He also stated that his 1998 3326 did not have a backing plate on the roof latch.

This roof latch is only used on the 3326. It takes the place of the curbside rear latch for the front shell found on the other models.

Looks like my saddle is trying to move again. That is why I bedded the saddle in the silicone and made sure that the bolt holes were filled with silicone. It is not leaking as of today.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Mike -

What is the purpose of that roof latch? Is it because the 3326 roof is so long that it needs an extra attachment point on the back end? I've never seen one of those before.

Dave

There is no aft door-side latch at the bottom of the 3326. The latch is on the roof. I never paid much attention to why, but I assume the second axle prevents having a lower attachment point for a latch.

[mjlaupp]

Originally Posted by MisterP

There is no aft door-side latch at the bottom of the 3326. The latch is on the roof. I never paid much attention to why, but I assume the second axle prevents having a lower attachment point for a latch.

Ditto

[mjlaupp]

Originally Posted by mjlaupp

....This roof latch is only used on the 3326. It takes the place of the curbside rear latch for the front shell found on the other models.....

Originally Posted by ShrimpBurrito

....What is the purpose of that roof latch? Is it because the 3326 roof is so long that it needs an extra attachment point on the back end? I've never seen one of those before.....

Originally Posted by MisterP

There is no aft door-side latch at the bottom of the 3326. The latch is on the roof. I never paid much attention to why, but I assume the second axle prevents having a lower attachment point for a latch.

Trivia answer: The roof latch is there on the 3326 because when the front upper shell is closed there is no place to mount the latch striker saddle under the shell. The upper door half is in that position and it would not be strong enough to hold the top during travel.