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10-21-2019, 06:40 AM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: May 2019
Location: La Center
Posts: 53
M.O.C. #24001
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Cutting fender
Long story short, the screws came loose on the large section of the curb side fender of my 330RL and it's along the side of the road somewhere. I ordered a new one but they only come full length so I'll have to cut it to fit. Sorry if it seems like a dumb question, but any tips on cutting that plastic to get the leading edge to look as nice as possible? Will large kitchen shears work or will it crack it? Thanks in advance.
This isn't the first time it has come loose. I plan on using bolts with nylon lock nuts to keep the fender on this time. Seems like a poor design to use self-tapping screws on a fender that the wind easily catches.
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10-21-2019, 07:10 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,689
M.O.C. #24086
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I would use a dremel and loctite on the threads of the screws.
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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10-21-2019, 07:17 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,659
M.O.C. #9969
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The Factory Techs use Tin Snips, just taking small cuts. It works, as I had to trim the replacement after my G114 blow out.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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10-21-2019, 10:46 AM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Appling
Posts: 176
M.O.C. #20840
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Regardless of your cutting method you should consider running a piece of masking tape on both sides of the fender along your cut line to prevent the plastic from splintering while cutting.
__________________
Wayne & Karen
2017 3791RD, MORryde SRE4000 w/ X Factor
2017 Ford F350 Lariat, CC, LB, PSD, DRW, 4WD, Curt Q24
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10-21-2019, 11:17 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Austin
Posts: 2,416
M.O.C. #21044
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skirt sheetmetal
Don't know about your replacement sheetmetal - but in 2017 I cut a corner too tight pulling my (then) Laredo 330RL travel trailer and raked half the length of the sheetmetal skirt on a low bollard. Dealer replaced the skirt in an insurance claim - but in the process I learned (then) that all replacement pieces come in primed white and have to be painted to match your unit skirt, and my skirt was black.
__________________
MikenDebbie Aggie ‘77 in the sticks near Austin TX
2019 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
2018 Montana 3921FB
Aussie Gus + Texas Heeler Jimmy
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10-21-2019, 06:46 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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Dab silicon on the back sides of the screws and they will not come loose. Try one of those oscillating tools to cut the fender. They are amazing at difficult jobs like that.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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10-21-2019, 07:28 PM
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#7
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: May 2019
Location: La Center
Posts: 53
M.O.C. #24001
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Great ideas! Thanks. I appreciate it.
The fender I ordered is confirmed to be black. I didn't hit anything, have a blowout, or damage the aluminum. It just disintegrated in the wind. Pieces of it were still hanging off the screws. This on a 2020. The cost of ordering a new fender on my dime was less than the cost of fuel to take it to the dealer for warranty. I just want to do it right.
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10-21-2019, 07:31 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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I've used speed nuts on both my rigs and never had a screw come loose.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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10-21-2019, 08:44 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,689
M.O.C. #24086
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DQDick
I've used speed nuts on both my rigs and never had a screw come loose.
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I just checked mine today. Had 3 loose screws. I think I will put speed nuts on the back of the screws too.
Thanks for the tip.
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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10-30-2019, 02:33 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SWFL
Posts: 964
M.O.C. #17801
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And if you do have a bit of a ragged cut, just hand sand with a sanding block. I think 120 should do it.
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10-30-2019, 05:56 PM
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#11
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Established Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Granite Falls
Posts: 45
M.O.C. #21706
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Quote:
Originally Posted by QKnot
I ordered a new one but they only come full length so I'll have to cut it to fit.
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Would it be possible to remove what’s left & use the full replacement piece?
__________________
2017 3731FL / Andersen Ultimate Hitch /
2019 F450 Lariat Ultimate 4X4 Factory pucks
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10-30-2019, 06:46 PM
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#12
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Bullhead City
Posts: 36
M.O.C. #22520
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Quote:
Originally Posted by QKnot
Long story short, the screws came loose on the large section of the curb side fender of my 330RL and it's along the side of the road somewhere. I ordered a new one but they only come full length so I'll have to cut it to fit. Sorry if it seems like a dumb question, but any tips on cutting that plastic to get the leading edge to look as nice as possible? Will large kitchen shears work or will it crack it? Thanks in advance.
This isn't the first time it has come loose. I plan on using bolts with nylon lock nuts to keep the fender on this time. Seems like a poor design to use self-tapping screws on a fender that the wind easily catches.
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I used nylock nuts to secure mine
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10-30-2019, 06:57 PM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Omaha
Posts: 256
M.O.C. #17319
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If you're talking about the plastic fender cowl over the tires that goes over the metal side that goes down and connects to the frame, my rap-around meteal came lose from the frame this year and broke my plastic fender cowl. Ordered a new one, and yes it came white. I cut it with a 12 inch chop saw. Had to have the wife help hold it as it is a lot longer than the bed on the chop saw. I have a lazer marker on my chop saw which helps envision where the cut will be. Had a fine 80-tooth blade on the chop saw. Made a nice cut. I saw on U-Tube that you can touch up the cut edge with a butane lighter - carefully.
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