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Topic: Jack Knife Sofa tipped over, bolts are out (Read 589 times) previous topic - next topic

Jack Knife Sofa tipped over, bolts are out

We have been full-timing for a little over a month now. Up until recently, we have only extended the sofa to sleep on it a few times, which was not a problem. However, the other day, when we decided to set it up like a day bed to watch a movie, we encountered an issue. It seems that I have gained some weight since the last time, and as a result, the sofa came out of the floor from its back side (please refer to the picture of the bolts). It's disappointing :-(

There are various ways to reinstall it, but I'm wondering how to proceed based on the floor's composition. Should I use bigger bolts, some kind of epoxy, or perhaps a sleeve? I would appreciate your suggestions.

Thank you,

Al
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Jack Knife Sofa tipped over, bolts are out

Reply #1 –
I suspect the bolts have a primary purpose of keeping the couch from moving around in a horizontal direction.  Not to prevent it from tilting over from a weight trying to pry the bolts out.  If there are only two I would at least double that number, spaced along the back of the couch.

Personally I don't have good experience with inserts and this type of force.  But that could be due to trying to repair something where the screw has already pulled out and damaged the wood so I would rely on the advice of someone with more experience.

Gene
Gene
97 U320 3rd Owner

Re: Jack Knife Sofa tipped over, bolts are out

Reply #2 –
Depending on location of the bolts, an option may be to thru drill, use a backing plate in the basement ceiling then thru bolt it.  Very strong.  Ya, if in the middle of a vertical basement bulkhead, box beam, etc, that may not work.

If that is not a reasonable solution, fill the old holes with plastic wood, drill and reuse the same size bolt OR one diameter up.

And, if this is in a slide, ignore the first suggestion.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Jack Knife Sofa tipped over, bolts are out

Reply #3 –
Square wooden toothpicks, squirt in some wood glue and half fill the hole with the toothpicks then run the original lags back in.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Jack Knife Sofa tipped over, bolts are out

Reply #4 –
The sofa in the slideout sits on a piece of plywood that then is the inside skin of the slideout floor.  The floor is basically plywood, square steel tubing with blue sheet foam and the outer fiberglas skin.  The tubing is 1 1/4" (I think). 

You can fill the hole and re-install the lag bolt or try a hollow wall anchor of your choice.  You could also attach the bolt it to a steel plate and then use several screws to attach the plate to the plywood.

There are pictures on the forum of what the frame looks like that were taken while a skin delamination problem was being fixed.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Jack Knife Sofa tipped over, bolts are out

Reply #5 –
I went through something similar with the recliner in my coach. The solution after trying a few failed experiments was to drill new holes though the metal bracket into the floor.

I couldn't get it from underneath as Brett suggests without cutting and removing the ceiling in the bay, below.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Jack Knife Sofa tipped over, bolts are out

Reply #6 –
If this is on a slide, I would consider a toggle bolt. You could drill a larger hole for the toggle bolt and push enough of the insulation out of the way for the toggle bolt to open.
Dave and Kathy Bennett
2004 U270
Build #6253
1600W Solar
700 AH Battle Born Lithium
2015 Jeep Wrangler

No matter what happens, remember you always get the trip out of it.

Re: Jack Knife Sofa tipped over, bolts are out

Reply #7 –
Bolt that thing down well.  In our previous coach, the sofa came loose during an accident.  Fortunately the dogs were able to dodge it, and the forward motion was slow enough that it didn't end up in our laps, or where our heads recently were.
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Jack Knife Sofa tipped over, bolts are out

Reply #8 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
use a backing plate in the basement ceiling then thru bolt it. 
If that is not a reasonable solution, fill the old holes with plastic wood, drill and reuse the same size bolt OR one diameter up.


Bolting would be the best but mine is situated right over the fuel tank and/or aqua hot. (No slide out) I am hoping to reuse the same bolt holes by refilling it (somehow) along with I will add couple of brackets on to rail with four 1.5" screws to hold the each side of the bracket down on the plywood. 
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Jack Knife Sofa tipped over, bolts are out

Reply #9 –
You could epoxy the screw end back in the existing hole and use washer and nuts to hold the sofa down. They make different sizes if 5/16" isn't the right size.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/5-16-18-tpi-x-3-in-Coarse-Standard-Steel-Plain-Hanger-Bolts-2-Pack-809371/204273745
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Jack Knife Sofa tipped over, bolts are out

Reply #10 –
Thru bolting could work even with it over the fuel tank IF, repeat IF you have room for a washer and nut and still have clearance to the tank.  Bolt would come from the top, not bottom.  Yes, would take some measuring to get exactly the correct length bolt, though minor adjustment in length could be done with a washer or two at the bolt head end.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Jack Knife Sofa tipped over, bolts are out

Reply #11 –
When I spoke to tech support at FT about the same issue he said to be aware of the metal channel that runs under the sofa. You can see it by looking under the slide outside. The channel is right under the frame in the center of the slide. My sofa has a metal plate welded to its frame to offset mounting holes to avoid the channel. My sofa wasn't attached at all when I got it so my call to FT was to find out what size bolts to use. Those in your picture look just like what he said to use. With two bolts in the plate on the left side of the sofa and the two through the small mounting flanges on the right and all is well with mine.


Tyson
2004 295 3610 WTFS
2010 Honda CR-V
Motorcade #18344
AA1DS