New owner - bent lift arm

[Bobcat54s]

Here is the bent support arm

[Shane826]

That gap looks to be caused by the bent lift arm. Like Kidkraz said, there are no velcro flaps in the back bed area. But I think there should be! I understand older models can’t really have velcro flaps back there because of the fire escape though…

Lift arm can be ordered through TrailManor parts, but it will probably be black instead of white. Should be part number 21062.

TrailManor Parts (Lexie)
(605) 999-9605
[email protected]

If you really want a white one I have a set of them that are primed and ready for paint but they are in the camper and in storage until Spring.

[Bobcat54s]

Thank you for the info. I will give Trailmanor parts a call.

[Bill]

I just took a closer look at your picture of the bent lift arm. In the side of the camper, above and to the right of the arm, there appears to be an empty hole in the wall. There is supposed to be a special bolt in this hole, going all the way through the wall. This bolt secures an assembly called the "pocket stop". This device controls how far the shell opens, and keeps it straight and square. It must be in place - if your TM has lost it, it must be replaced.

I am not the resident expert on the pocket stop. I urge you to spend time here on the forum, using the search tool on the term "pocket stop" in posts by Larryjb.

As the well-known advertisement says, don't leave home without it.

Bill

[Shane826]

Good eye, Bill

That’s the pivot pin for the lift arm on the shell.

Bobcat when you call TM have them send a new pin and cap (the new ones will look very different from the rest on your camper; they work the same) with your lift arm. It’s all of $8-ish.

[Larryjb]

Originally Posted by Shane826

Good eye, Bill

That’s the pivot pin for the lift arm on the shell.

Bobcat when you call TM have them send a new pin and cap (the new ones will look very different from the rest on your camper; they work the same) with your lift arm. It’s all of $8-ish.

I believe the new lift arms are painted black. I'm sure you could repaint it white.

[Bill]

Shane, Larry -

Is it safe to assume that the pocket stop is still inside the wall? Should he be looking/feeling up inside the cavity, looking for it? Will he have to buy another?

And the big question. The lift arm is indeed bent, but not much. I don't know what a replacement will cost, but with shipping and then painting, it will be pain. Optics aside, do you think that he could get by with it in its current condition? Or has the bend weakened it to the point where it is dangerous?

Bill

[Shane826]

Bill- I think the bent arm is causing the gap between the rear wall and bed tray.

As for the pocket stop, it depends on the model year. It has the blue stripes so it could have the rubber bumper that acts as the stop or it could have the adjustable bolt on the end of the lift arm. The bigger problem on these model years is that the pockets are framed in wood that is stapled together and they have the tendency to come apart. I had to fix that on my project 2000 2720. Not terribly difficult but definitely not for the weak at heart either.

[wbmiller3]

My question is, with the pin missing, what is the upper end of the arm connected to?

[Shane826]

It’s just kinda up in the pocket. When the camper is set up the top of the pocket is probably setting on the L (or I guess 7 is more accurate?) of the arm.