Question on towing while slightly raised

[pcorbin]

Due to the way we rebuilt a side wall on our 1807TD Towlite (100% rebuild, from scratch) we are off on the bottom rail where it should pass over the bottom seal on the camper bottom half (as the top is at it's lowered position) by juuuusstttt enough to make it rub/hang up when lowering and raising.

We used a stock piece of camper trim to cover the inside edge on the bottom rail, as opposed to finding/making a piece of aluminum/steel to fit around the edge as in the original factory configuration. This trim protrudes about 1/4" in towards the bottom half, and then rubs the bottom seal when lowering the top all the way down.

I was thinking about just using two 4x4's laid across the frame members front and back, and lowering to rest on those instead of the frame. I can't see that it would be much different than if the top was resting on the frame as designed - 3.5" higher is all, and the 4x4's are certainly strong enough.

Are there any issues that anyone can think of with doing this while towing?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[RichR]

If I am reading your post correctly you want the top to go down past the lower rail. If you have the rubber seal positioned correctly on the upper section it should go down and rest against the rail to seal the opening between the two sections.

 

[PopRichie77]

I think what he is saying is that the top half won't go all the way down due to his repair job. He wants to block it up higher in that position. I don"t know about the 18 foot but the longer ones also have side supports for the top when down, besides the front and back ones.

If you block it up the top won't be sealed, so why not just remove the bottom plastic seal rail on that side.

 

[pcorbin]

I think what he is saying is that the top half won't go all the way down due to his repair job. He wants to block it up higher in that position. I don"t know about the 18 foot but the longer ones also have side supports for the top when down, besides the front and back ones.

If you block it up the top won't be sealed, so why not just remove the bottom plastic seal rail on that side.

That's a good idea - it won't be serving any purpose anyway, and I can lower the top completely without interference that way. I guess I could also find/make something to put back there that may help it seal - something about 1/4" thinner than the original bottom plastic seal.

Our's has no side supports, only front and back.