We had to do some custom work on a 2019 Sprinter Winnebago camper. We had to remove the genny, waste water tanks, siding panels and other stuff. Then we installed these anti rollover outriggers so they can test this thing for what speed it will roll over cornering. There is another set that goes on the front that basically requires removing the bumper and bolting it on with 8 bolts that they will install themselves. Needless to say, things didnt go as planned. These rear outriggers we installed were custom built to the tune of $12,000, and I dont know what the front cost. Here we go... It starts out simple enough; remove the rear panels, remove the genny and waste water tanks - one grey water, one black water. The grey water tank was relatively empty.

Not so much for the black water tank... out rushed 25 gallons of putrid crap water that smelled like Satan's ass crack and splashed everywhere, including on us. This was supposed to be a NEW camper with nothing in it!

After several hours of cleanup, the work continued. The genny and tanks are out, and the fab can begin.

A new cross beam is installed and mock-up begins with the bracing.
Of course the CAD drawings sent to the Co. were not correct, so we had missing holes in the frame and hitch. Tear it all back out, drill the missing holes in the frame and modify the ones that didnt even accept the bolts. Reassemble and start to torque the bolts - first pull I made with the torque wrench I knew the specs were wrong. It called for 70 Nm and @ 48 the torque stopped rising and the brackets started deforming. The threads for the bolts was Micky mouse junk that would easily strip @ 70, so we convinced the engineer to go with 45 Nm.

Mock-up finished and torques documented on the hardware with a marker.

The end result!


I enjoyed this trip and job. Those MB engineer guys were so hung up on torque specs, whether drilling a hole in the frame would compromise safety or test results, ect they couldnt do this job because they couldnt think how to make something work when it wont. Super nice guys and very smart, but no real world skills whatsoever for fabrication or fixing something when it doesnt just bolt up. They were pleased with the work, and they want my team (boss and I) back again for something else in a cpl months.