Flex-frame issues and warrenties?

[txloser]

This is true. I think manufacturers just try to adapt. One example of this is my previous Jayco. Frame flex caused an exterior crack at the lower corner where my bedroom slide was. I caught it early and had it “fixed” with a relief cut and a piece of matched trim. This was common on many FW’s for years. Jayco was late to the party doing this from the factory. GD does this from the factory and for the last 3ish years, Jayco does as well.

 

[coglesby]

So far the "fix" has consisted of 1/2" lag bolts to properly fit the 1/2" holes in the frame, and some adhesive to hopefully keep the bolts from backing out.
I would much prefer a mechanical method of preventing bolt backout.
I previously thought about tack welding the bolt heads to the frame. I discarded that idea because welding inside a coach has a high fire risk.
A better idea finally hit me.

Some small steel plates about 1" square, and 1/8" thick with a hole drilled in the center. Some self tapping hex head metal screws to fit the hole.
Place the square up against a lag bolt hex head flat. Secure it with a self tapping screw into the frame. That bolt will never back out on it's own again...But if it needed to be removed later for some reason, it could be.

Would a lock washer work?

 

[Hoopy Frood]

I also asked this on the other thread like this one: Are there instances of the properly sized, and tightened lag bots coming loose?

 

[Captcolour]

So far the "fix" has consisted of 1/2" lag bolts to properly fit the 1/2" holes in the frame, and some adhesive to hopefully keep the bolts from backing out.

We should probably be careful about terminology. If you have a flex issue, the "fix" is to take apart the nose and fix any welds and other work needed to fix the issue.

The 1/2" lag bolts are a preventive measure to hopefully make the nose more stable so a flex failure doesn't occur.

I have my 2021 Solitude 380FL in for some preventive maintenance so am having the dealer perform TSB24-001 to make sure I don't have an issue. Will be interested in hearing the outcome.

 

[ajg617]

We should probably be careful about terminology. If you have a flex issue, the "fix" is to take apart the nose and fix any welds and other work needed to fix the issue.

The 1/2" lag bolts are a preventive measure to hopefully make the nose more stable so a flex failure doesn't occur.

I have my 2021 Solitude 380FL in for some preventive maintenance so am having the dealer perform TSB24-001 to make sure I don't have an issue. Will be interested in hearing the outcome.

I might also suggest that the bolts are being installed in every hole to reduce 'excessive' flex since I don't think you would ever want to eliminate it - not enough flex can cause things to snap. I saw a large SOB 5er (also an LCI chassis) at the Lippert shop where the frame at the front of the bedroom slide out actually broke. This was a solid frame that broke into two pieces. The factory welded a sister frame on but it stopped at the break instead of continuing on forward - terrible repair job that made no sense.