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Old 04-30-2017, 04:48 PM   #1
Larryjb
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Default Pictures newbies won't have seen before

When I was looking for a TM, I was very curious about some of the technical aspects of TM construction. Sorry, these are not going to be picturesque!

One of the big questions, what years had metal framing? This varies, and cannot be pinned down to a specific year. However, you can check without removing any screws. Just peek underneath and inside one of the pocket stops. These are located where the lift arm attaches to the upper shell. There are 8 of these in total.
Click image for larger version

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[EDIT - check Post #8 below for more info and another picture]

Not all wood can be eliminated. One place is for the bag seal, and this wood needs replacing once in awhile. It's hard to see as my camera was fighting with the bright sky and dark pocket. Much of the wood is rotted in this image and will need replacing. It shouldn't be very difficult. When the bag seal is removed, chip or blow out the remaining rotted wood, clean with dilute bleach, rinse well (you don't want bleach remaining on metal, it can erode metal). Then replace with 1x1 treated wood. Other's may have their own suggestions for this repair, but whatever solution, it won't be very bad. Nothing like what Maria went through!
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Trying to figure out where those wasps were coming from?
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Here is a good shot of the torsion bar. Tightening the bolt pushes on the short length of the "L", increasing tension on the torsion bar.
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Here you can see how the shell is attached to the lift bar. There is a thicker aluminum plate which is attached to the aluminum frame inside. The outer skin is damaged on mine, exposing the inner plate. The tear here will not affect the function of the lifting mechanism, but there may be sharp edges so a stainless fender washer may be a good idea here.
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2002 Tahoe
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Various TM images that you may or may not find elsewhere:
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Old 05-04-2017, 08:53 PM   #2
wbmiller3
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Good info even for veterans! I've never looked up into my trailer's pocket stops, but I am going to now!
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Old 05-05-2017, 07:43 AM   #3
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Really nice work, Larry! Glad to see it.

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Old 05-05-2017, 09:51 AM   #4
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There will be more to come as I tinker!
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Various TM images that you may or may not find elsewhere:
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Old 06-25-2017, 03:13 PM   #5
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Default Furnace box

I noticed the seat above the furnace seemed loose. When I raised the cushion, I saw that one of the structural supports had come free from the staples:
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Drilled, countersunk, and screws:
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To answer an earlier, but now irrelevant question I had before, it would be quite easy to move the furnace if you wanted to convert a sofa model into a dinette model. The most technical parts would be rerouting the gas and electrical lines.
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Old 04-28-2018, 02:52 PM   #6
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I just looked up inside my pocket stops. (We are currently set up and camping.) I’m not seeing exactly what your picture shows, but I’m also not seeing ANY wood. There is a horizontal piece of hollowed out metal that I can see and feel that runs along the bottom of the upper rear shell. As in parallel to the ground. It looks like 1x1 square metal tubing. If I stick my little fingers back in the hole, I can feel the styrofoam. I have a 2002 model. The previous owner told me it was all metal frame, but I doubted him because of the year. What do you think?
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Old 04-28-2018, 06:49 PM   #7
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You also have an Al- framed TM. You will still find wood behind the shell seals (see my posts on this: http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ad.php?t=19001 )
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Old 08-05-2018, 12:17 PM   #8
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Default Image showing aluminum framing

I have edited one of my pictures to show more clearly where you can find the aluminum framing if you are purchasing an older (1999-2002) Trailmanor. Older than 1999 was probably wood framed, although I think I have heard about one or two that were aluminum framed. I believe most built after 2002 were aluminum framed, but I could be wrong. I'm not aware of anyone on this site observing wood framed Trailmanors after 2004 or 2005.

Even if you have an aluminum framed Trailmanor, there is still some wood used for the bag seals, vent openings, and a few other places. These pieces are relatively easy to replace if you are handy. It took me a few days to replace one of the bag seal wood strips, but I do work slowly.

In the picture below:
The circled area on the left is the end of an aluminum bar used around the perimeter of the wall. Other than the pocket stops, there is no other aluminum framing inside the wall.
The circled area on the right is the framing inside the pocket stop. This may be aluminum, wood, or aluminum with wood behind it.

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Various TM images that you may or may not find elsewhere:
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Old 08-05-2018, 01:36 PM   #9
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When I was at the factory years ago. They told me 2003 was the year that the aluminum frame was added across the full product line for the full year. Some 2002's have the frame also. It sounded like they broke in the frames sometime during the 2002 production run.
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Old 08-05-2018, 03:48 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tentcamper View Post
....It sounded like they broke in the frames sometime during the 2002 production run.
My 2001 2720 and a few others have reported having an aluminum frame in 2001. I feel kind of lucky!
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Various TM images that you may or may not find elsewhere:
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