2018 tab320cs clamshell opening while driving!

Tab320cs

Im currently on a road trip in Texas and I’m in San Antonio as of now. I’m having an issue with the clamshell opening when driving. Went to a Rv service center and they put a new clamp on. But the clamshell opened again while driving. Anyone else having same issue? Any idea why this is happening? Help!   Gouley940

Verna

You will need to put some washers under the screws holding the “bars” onto the clam’s Floor. Try three small washers first and see if you can pull up on the closed and locked hatch. If no, you’re good. If it comes up, try a couple of more washers. 

It happens with changes in seasons and humidity. Just keep plenty of small washers with you. If the screws aren’t getting enough of a bite into the floor, you may want to get screws That are 1/4” longer. 

I had to do this to the hatch on my Silver Shadow Teardrop. Others have done the same on the T@B clamshell hatches. 

Marceline

I had heard about this problem from other t@bbers so I have a pair of bungee cords that I wrap around the clamshell handles that secure to the levelers. 

ChrisandAlexis

ditto @Marceline, when I first read about it happening I was not going to take any chances and added bungee cords around the CS handles and hooked them to the back stabilizers.

fineline72

On our recent trip from Indiana to Texas via Colorado, our rear clamshell came up on I-80 at 75 mph in Nebraska. We were blessed that there was a car passing us at that moment and they waved us to stop. I ratchet strapped the back to the spare tire mount until we got to the campground (our spare tire is mounted on the tongue, but the original mount is still under the camper). I placed two washers under each catch like recommended in the older posts. I tarp strapped both handles to the jacks below the remainder of the trip to be on the safe side.

I wanted to make sure it would never happen again...
When we got home, I bought two steel latches to replace the original cast ones. I shorten them by about 1/4" to just miss the ledge where the catch mounts. Now instead of the latch barely catching - notice where the marker is worn off the tip of the original latch (right-grey latch) The new one (left) now catches by a good amount. 

FYI... The day the clamshell came up was the first 100+ degree day we had ever pulled our camper, so I would agree with the theory that heat causes things to expand, move, then cause this problem. 

Jerod and Rebecca - 2016 T@B 320 CS-S

Denny16

Jujus a heads up, I had these steel brackets with a set screw on a camper shell, and they need to be tightened up occasionally, as the screws work loose going down the road from vibration.
 Cheers 

Slackers

We have the original paddles, but had to use Loctite on the set screws as they kept loosening as we traveled.  We use the blue version of Loctite.  You may try that on the bracket set screws.