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06-06-2020, 07:08 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Richmond, TX
Posts: 109
M.O.C. #20452
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Can Fenders be Modified?
I have a 2012 Montana 3150RL that I upgraded several years ago to G-rated tires. These are slightly bigger in diameter than the OE E-rated tires. I have noticed some black stains on my right fender on the 'tongue' that drops down between the tires, which looks to me like the tire is occasionally making contact with the fender. There are no signs of any cracking or other damage. On addition, I see that Keystone has added a small aluminum vertical bar inside the fender to reinforce it and keep it vertical, which to me signifies that they recognized at the factory that the tire and fender were pretty close together. There is no reinforcing bar on the other (left) side fender.
Has anyone cut and shaped a fender? I think it could be easily but carefully cut, since it appears to be pretty flimsy. I am wondering if it can be re-shaped by apply heat, maybe with a heat gun. I would like to trim off the lowest 2 inches and reshape the fender.
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John & Janet from Texas via Connecticut and Vermont
2012 Keystone Montana 3150RL 5th Wheel
2012 Ford F350 Diesel 4x4 Lariat Crewcab SRW
6.7L V-8 diesel, 6-sp automatic, 3.55 axle ratio
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06-06-2020, 09:43 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,707
M.O.C. #7992
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Had the same experience several years ago. Finally deduced the tires were only hitting the lip on the fender when making really tight turns like backing into my driveway or a tight camping space. During those maneuvers the axles really get torqued. They are still doing it and it has never damaged anything so I'm not doing anything.
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2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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06-06-2020, 09:53 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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On my 2010 both sides had the reinforcing bar. If I were you I'd just bend it out a little bit.
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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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06-07-2020, 06:16 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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Same issue on my unit. I added some additional aluminum braces behind the center area and forced the fenders outward around an inch or so. Seams to have lessened the issue.
On another note, my tires also have contacted the underside of the trailer floor and tore up the darco. I added some stainless l-shaped plates above the tires to help with that situation. It is going to Mor Ryde in a week to get the IS installed which will solve both issues by raising the camper up several inches.
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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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06-08-2020, 06:58 AM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Richmond, TX
Posts: 109
M.O.C. #20452
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Thanks for the Advice
Thanks for the responses. I first noticed this a few years ago and the fender has no cracks or other damage, just the black staining. I will bend the bar outward and keep an eye on it. I am a big advocate of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", so I appreciate he advice!
__________________
John & Janet from Texas via Connecticut and Vermont
2012 Keystone Montana 3150RL 5th Wheel
2012 Ford F350 Diesel 4x4 Lariat Crewcab SRW
6.7L V-8 diesel, 6-sp automatic, 3.55 axle ratio
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