Cracks found near axles. What now?

[Austin_183]

Bought a 2020 reflection that the dealer claimed passed a rigorous pre-trade inspection, but...

Found some cracks on the frame and the welds look terrible.

I guess it's a common thing and the fix looks relatively cheap. Still under warranty. Is it even worth it to bother with a warranty claim?

The dealer has to do another inspection to file a warranty claim, but they said there wasn't any frame damage when I bought it, and here we are.

They said damage to front cap was from previous owner hitting something, but the cracks were linear. The roof still isn't flush with the wall after they made repairs. Didn't tell me that they never fixed cracks on the roof.

Has anyone had an experience like this?

 

[Calbar]

Sorry to hear that you are having issues. The frame cracks are being fixed by Lippert or the dealer. Fairly common unfortunately and there is a procedure to do it. As for the other items not sure what to say but dealer should have fixed them if that is what was agreed so I would take it back to them and make sure you check that it is all fixed before you pull it out of the lot.

Rob

 

[markandkim]

What model is it?

 

[traveldawg]

A few of us have experiences this.

Here is my post... https://www.mygrandrv.com/threads/cracked-frame.62471/

There are a few other threads on this to. This cracking is not the frame flex folks talk about but rather from stresses placed on the frame (above spring hangers usually). A good trailer shop can fix it. And installing some cross bracing such as MorRydes x-members is not a bad idea.

 

[Scocciante]

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/MORryde/MR99ZR.html

They work

 

[Charbouc]

Bought a 2020 reflection that the dealer claimed passed a rigorous pre-trade inspection, but...

Found some cracks on the frame and the welds look terrible.

I guess it's a common thing and the fix looks relatively cheap. Still under warranty. Is it even worth it to bother with a warranty claim?

The dealer has to do another inspection to file a warranty claim, but they said there wasn't any frame damage when I bought it, and here we are.

They said damage to front cap was from previous owner hitting something, but the cracks were linear. The roof still isn't flush with the wall after they made repairs. Didn't tell me that they never fixed cracks on the roof.

Has anyone had an experience like this?

I found some cracks on I Beam of my 2021 240RL. GD or Lippert paid for the repair that I had have done by a local trailer company.

If you are on Facebook I would recommend you look at Grand Desing Major issue.

 

[ajg617]

GD factory found a crack just forward of my equalizer. LCI came over and welded a 1x2 the entire length of the I-Beam on both sides as a warranty repair.

 

[eeshelman]

Bought a 2020 reflection that the dealer claimed passed a rigorous pre-trade inspection, but...

Found some cracks on the frame and the welds look terrible.

I guess it's a common thing and the fix looks relatively cheap. Still under warranty. Is it even worth it to bother with a warranty claim?

The dealer has to do another inspection to file a warranty claim, but they said there wasn't any frame damage when I bought it, and here we are.

They said damage to front cap was from previous owner hitting something, but the cracks were linear. The roof still isn't flush with the wall after they made repairs. Didn't tell me that they never fixed cracks on the roof.

Has anyone had an experience like this?

I just got done having that exact problem fixed on my 2021 Imagine. The cracks are caused by the cross beams pushing against the main frame.

I contacted Lippert and they were very nice. I went to two local welding shops (people who k ow steel) and got quotes. I got it fixed with patch parts that Lippert mailed to me for free and the welding shop put on. Lippert is sending me a check for the entire amount which is just short of $1,900.

The attached is a document that leopard put out showing the parts and providing instructions on the repair.

 

[TimtheToolMan]

Bought a 2020 reflection that the dealer claimed passed a rigorous pre-trade inspection, but...

Found some cracks on the frame and the welds look terrible.

I guess it's a common thing and the fix looks relatively cheap. Still under warranty. Is it even worth it to bother with a warranty claim?

The dealer has to do another inspection to file a warranty claim, but they said there wasn't any frame damage when I bought it, and here we are.

They said damage to front cap was from previous owner hitting something, but the cracks were linear. The roof still isn't flush with the wall after they made repairs. Didn't tell me that they never fixed cracks on the roof.

Has anyone had an experience like this?

Clearly want to claim warranty on frame in case there are more significant related issues later that "were not properly fixed under warranty". The fix maybe more extensive than what you or shop expect. Repairs very likely need to include I-Beam and spring drop reinforcements plus upgraded cross support between drops. These I-Beams do not properly handle drop twist, and the drops are poorly supported. A partial repair/patch likely will lead to ongoing and more expensive issues.

 

[ajg617]

Agree - put in a warranty claim. It might be a hassle but in the long run, it could pay dividends. If you can, find an authorized Lippert shop.

 

[Riverbug]

I just got done having that exact problem fixed on my 2021 Imagine. The cracks are caused by the cross beams pushing against the main frame.

I contacted Lippert and they were very nice. I went to two local welding shops (people who k ow steel) and got quotes. I got it fixed with patch parts that Lippert mailed to me for free and the welding shop put on. Lippert is sending me a check for the entire amount which is just short of $1,900.

The attached is a document that leopard put out showing the parts and providing instructions on the repair.

Interesting. The axle retro procedure outlined in the Lippert document sure seems to be a positive affirmation that Moryde's X Factor Crossmembers or welding crossmembers between each spring hanger is a good thing to do. I have wondered if adding those would transfer stress to the frame, but this appears to answer that question. Thanks for sharing!

Edit: I may post a new thread to share that information and get additional dialogue started on the topic.

 

[TimtheToolMan]

Load from the drops go through the frame and by adding cross bracing this load is transferred more efficiently by reducing twist (torque) and stress that the drops apply to the frame. Cross bracing increases strength of drop and I-beam by reducing stress. I-beams can take only a limited amount of torque partly due to thin web section but mostly not enough material away from the center of beam in all directions, like a tube.

Adding cross bracing is NOT just a way of improving strength in one area and weaking another area because of some load transfer.

Sometimes (not talking about above situation) when weak areas of products are strengthened another area breaks, but if done well, it really is strengthening weak area and now a different area is the weakest--but no weaker than before.

 

[Austin_183]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Blue Compass continues to ghost me. The tire opposite the cracked axle is flat, and the trailer was bouncing like crazy when they dropped it off. Sus.

I agree that this isn't flex. Still looking for an independent welder to deal with it. The quality of the welds is terrible throughout the frame.

I think the moral of the story is to pay for an inspection. Both the big chains are staffed with lying scumbags. I paid almost 40k for something I can't even tow to a repair shop to get fixed. Lol