LIPPERT IS BEING SUED (class action)

[jjbbrewer]

I took another look at my Spring hangers and I missed that there's additional Steel support welded on the frame above the hangers.

Maybe that's what they meant, but IMHO, it doesn't help the problem. When they've broken on me both times were at the bends of the hangers (red arrows).

Attachment 32397

[Chewwi]

Maybe that's what they meant, but IMHO, it doesn't help the problem. When they've broken on me both times were at the bends of the hangers

Did the welds break or did the hanger itself break?

[WhittleBurner]

Did the welds break or did the hanger itself break?

We had 1 weld that fell right off the frame, which I believe contributed to the other side cracking below the bend. In our case Lippert sent their mobile repair truck to us as this was a clearly failed weld and and safety issue. We are/were amazed that it took 3 years to fall off, there was a very small area that had a good weld. Lippert also fixed the cracking hanger at our next location , that is where they installed V clips/brackets to all 4 of our tire hangers.
Here is the old thread

[WhittleBurner]

I took another look at my Spring hangers and I missed that there's additional Steel support welded on the frame above the hangers. I pointed out what I mean with white arrows. I missed this before and I don't see that support in the photos others have offered in this thread. Would this be the fix Lippert started doing on their frames?

Attachment 32390

That is an extra support to prevent cracks in the I beam above the hanger, part of GDs specs on the frame, you can find more if you poke around the frame. They (GD) also have extra braces in the front of the frame where the nose protrudes which is another known area prone to breaking over the years in all makes of 5th wheels.

That plate is not the fix for the flexing and breaking hangers. The V clips are what Lippert themselves installed on ours . Lippert makes the frames to Specs designed by GD , I guess after many broken hangers they designed the clips into their frames. My previous post has a link to the issue we had a few years ago.

[RobWNY]

That is an extra support to prevent cracks in the I beam above the hanger, part of GDs specs on the frame, you can find more if you poke around the frame. They (GD) also have extra braces in the front of the frame where the nose protrudes which is another known area prone to breaking over the years in all makes of 5th wheels.

That plate is not the fix for the flexing and breaking hangers. The V clips are what Lippert themselves installed on ours . Lippert makes the frames to Specs designed by GD , I guess after many broken hangers they designed the clips into their frames. My previous post has a link to the issue we had a few years ago.

GD and my dealer told me there is no problem and since my RV is a 2021 then I guess GD used a frame not up to their current spec because I don't have those V clips and they are lying to me about it and so is my dealer.

[jjbbrewer]

Did the welds break or did the hanger itself break?

The hanger itself broke at the bend. I should have taken pictures of it, but it was just like this.

[Petrovsky]

Just wanted to mention that, in my case, they have modified the hanger with an angle welded in the hanger itself. See attached pictures. AZmike has modified his hangers, also a 2600rb by welding a back plate to them after fortifying his suspension with More-Ryde components. I intend doing the same. Note that there is already rust settling in. I will paint it up with Tremclad.

My opinion on the picture with the support above the hanger on the frame will not prevent the hanger from absorbing side to side forces.

[jakev383]

Needless to say, my 2015 Reflection 323BHS does not have the angle piece on it. The hanger is welded all the way around though!

[crollman]

I realize this thread is a little old, but figured I'd post the following info for anyone who needs it.
I have a 2021 Reflection 29RS with a broken hanger. Lippert has agreed to reimburse me for replacement of the two rear hangers as well as the installation of V-Clips.

Lippert stocks V-Clips, but they are very difficult to find because the description doesn't include the text 'V-clip'.

Part Number: 103727
Description: "ANG 3.313 X 3.313 x .179 L1.813"
Price: $5.95

[geotex1]

Lots of confusion going on in this post...

First, not the first time a lawsuit has been lodged against Lippert pertaining to frame weaknesses nor suspension hangers.

The flange stiffeners above the hangers were a bandaid for a prior cracking problem. Structurally, it is just enough of a bandaid, but really the bottom flange needs to be built up to be the superior resolution to distribute the stresses.

The V-clips are what are used in the spring hangers to reinforce them, and they became commonplace on the frames in 2021 heavy 5er builds AFTER frame inventory/standard order fulfillment without them was used. It is also a bandaid that is effective and was actually construed from owners' repairs. Fabricated brackets versus bent bar would be the superior solution.

I do not believe any of the lawsuits got far and generally settled or died on the vine. It is very hard to argue a manufacturing defect/deficiency versus lack of maintenance, and lawyers know this. LCI is huge, and I'm sure they're the 500# gorilla in the room in terms of legal representation. Now if one of those lawsuits would be lodged in a State with mandatory trailer inspection done by State-approved facilities, then there's more teeth.