just picked up ntu 1998 coleman casa grande to up grade from my 98 redwood as the twins are growing fast! I know about all the "issues" with the ABS roofs but this one is in great shape. What I'm wondering is how are the travel anchor hooks attached to the roof? Love this site, can't wait til spring!
RJ I am referring to "hooks" that travel clamps (that hold the roof down) connect with. There are 4 on the corners of the roof that appear to be screwed in. I am wondering if the is wood in there or is it a specialty anchor. THANKS !!!
I think that many people call those safety latches. If I remember correctly, the latches on my old Yuma were attached with Philips-head screws.
attached to what? I'm trying to figure out what is behind the ABS skin that they are screwed into. Thank you drive through
See the Grand Tour '98 parts book, last page, then scroll up a page to see the description of item 1 'strike plate'. Does it have an embedded nut on the inside (keps nut)? http://dl.dropbox.com/u/37743407/COLEMAN%20PARTS%20BOOK/1998/1998%20coleman%20grand%20tour.pdf
In THIS How It's Made video for Fleetwood (Coleman) it looks like there is a wood liner behind the metal on the front and back ends. See video at 1:34. After installing the ends they show the sides which are bare metal but a short time later we see the inside of the sides with wood at 2:05. As for the roof, this video must have been made when ABS was not being used. The roof is described as a composite of several materials including plywood, foam and fiberglass. The sequence of roof assembly starts at 3:16. At 3:43 they talk about vinyl-coated plywood. So, it would seem that the roof latches are screwed into a combination of materials that include metal and wood. I hope this is in some way helpful.
The part that the latch mates to they refer to as a "strike" and they are held in place by machine screws which go all the way through the ABS and structural foam core and backed by fender washers, locking nuts and a PVC cap to prevent damage to the canvas. Just a FYI the ABS provides very little structural strength to the roof. To use a roofing analogy the ABS is like the roll roofing or rubber membrane on a flat deck roof of a house. Anything mounted or attached to the roof that requires any holding power would need machine screw/bolt, fender washers and nut. Enjoy.
Since your roof is in good shape I would keep it covered and protected from the suns UV rays. Try and keep it in good shape as long as you can.
Congrats on the purchase. I have a 99 Sea Pine and I have so far great luck with the ABS roof. I do notice the "bulge" by the safety latches and I keep an eye on it.
