Frame Issue and what to check

[arhayes]

I discovered the issue yesterday while waiting for roadside assistance for a blown tire yesterday. Had not seen the issue previously, but it only appears when pin weight is on the TV. We have been full-timers for over 6 years, though the trailer was stationary and un-hooked during our winter stay in Tucson until last week. Thinking it is a frame issue, but not sure where to go with it or if it is even safe to travel in it. Thoughts????
Sorry pics didn't appear in order.

 

[arhayes]

2 additional pics it wouldn't allow me to attach to the first post.

 

[geotex1]

Yes, it's a frame issue. Broken welds, whether from fatigue or corrosion likely. Once a shop removes the front storage door and the panel, the issue should be clear. Shouldn't be too much of a chore for a certified welder to repair and reinforce. Lippert should have some guidance, but if not see a shop that builds trailers as they'll have the necessary knowledge or know a designer/engineer to turn to.

 

[arhayes]

Yes, it's a frame issue. Broken welds, whether from fatigue or corrosion likely. Once a shop removes the front storage door and the panel, the issue should be clear. Shouldn't be too much of a chore for a certified welder to repair and reinforce. Lippert should have some guidance, but if not see a shop that builds trailers as they'll have the necessary knowledge or know a designer/engineer to turn to.

Thanks! I'd looked in the gen compartment, but am not an expert. See no obvious welds broken or rust. Good idea on Lippert. I'll try to contact them.

 

[JCR GD]

Thanks! I'd looked in the gen compartment, but am not an expert. See no obvious welds broken or rust. Good idea on Lippert. I'll try to contact them.

Please report back... very interested in outcome. Thanks

 

[arhayes]

Please report back... very interested in outcome. Thanks

Will do. Sadly I’m thinking I’ll need to haul it to Indiana but we’ll see. Can’t believe travel plans for 2 years in a row are being sidelined....1 by covid and now this. Ce la vie.

 

[Canyonlight]

Will do. Sadly I’m thinking I’ll need to haul it to Indiana but we’ll see. Can’t believe travel plans for 2 years in a row are being sidelined....1 by covid and now this. Ce la vie.

Alan - I suspect you have already contacted the GDRV Customer Service center and shared the pictures with Jerry McCarthy and/or his team. When we had them replace our walls, I raised possible concerns with frame cracking issues in general. Jerry shared that they very rarely see any frame issues. However, looking at your pictures - it seems frame related as Rob shared. I too will be interested in what is found and if GDRV will take care of you.

Dan

 

[arhayes]

Alan - I suspect you have already contacted the GDRV Customer Service center and shared the pictures with Jerry McCarthy and/or his team. When we had them replace our walls, I raised possible concerns with our frame cracking issues in general. Jerry shared that they very rarely see any frame issues. However, looking at your pictures - it seems frame related as Rob shared. I too will be interested in what is found and if GDRV will take care of you.

Dan

Thanks, Dan. I did send GD Customer Service an email with my vin, details, photos, and contact info. I’m hoping to get a call or email today, but if I’ve not heard something by midday I’ll call. They’ve always been responsive in the past, but we’ll see.

 

[Second Chance]

Will do. Sadly I’m thinking I’ll need to haul it to Indiana but we’ll see. Can’t believe travel plans for 2 years in a row are being sidelined....1 by covid and now this. Ce la vie.

You're not thinking of hauling to Indiana prior to repair, are you, Alan?

Rob

 

[arhayes]

You're not thinking of hauling to Indiana prior to repair, are you, Alan?

Rob

Absolutely not. I wouldn’t go without an appointment. But, I trust no RV dealer, so I’m hoping GD or Lippert can guide me on what my next step should be.

 

[Second Chance]

Absolutely not. I wouldn’t go without an appointment. But, I trust no RV dealer, so I’m hoping GD or Lippert can guide me on what my next step should be.

I was talking about towing it before repairs are made. I wouldn't trust a dealer, either, but - as [MENTION=26275]geotex1[/MENTION] has suggested - I would trust a qualified professional welder.

Rob

 

[D2Reid]

I had a similar issue on my 7 year old SOB. I did my best to inspect for broken frame welds but could find nothing. Partly because I had no idea what I was looking for. I did weigh and unweigh the hitch pin a few times to look for excessive movement. Still didn't see anything. I kind of concluded that the bend, like the one you have pictures of, was a result of flex. Not only did the seal tracks bend and wouldn't hold the seal but cracks in the fiberglass developed.

But a lot of other stuff was wearing out as well. So when the refrigerator went we traded it in for a new Momentum so I never did find out if there was a frame issue or not.

 

[arhayes]

I was talking about towing it before repairs are made. I wouldn't trust a dealer, either, but - as [MENTION=26275]geotex1[/MENTION] has suggested - I would trust a qualified professional welder.

Rob

Sorry....misunderstood. That’s why I’m trying to get Lippert or GD to guide me. Not sure it’s safe to tow. Currently in Colo Springs till Monday. I’ve looked at the accessible frame areas and see nothing. I don’t know if a welder will know how to take the rig apart to see the issue. I suspect it’ll require the front compartment covering through the panel panel under the pin area to be removed. I discovered all this while waiting for roadside assistance after a tire blowout which tore up all the street side sheet metal. It hasn’t been a good week. ??

 

[arhayes]

I had a similar issue on my 7 year old SOB. I did my best to inspect for broken frame welds but could find nothing. Partly because I had no idea what I was looking for. I did weigh and unweigh the hitch pin a few times to look for excessive movement. Still didn't see anything. I kind of concluded that the bend, like the one you have pictures of, was a result of flex. Not only did the seal tracks bend and wouldn't hold the seal but cracks in the fiberglass developed.

But a lot of other stuff was wearing out as well. So when the refrigerator went we traded it in for a new Momentum so I never did find out if there was a frame issue or not.

This one is almost 7 years old....built May 2014. We’d hoped for it to last us longer. Plus, it still has the layout we like.

 

[D2Reid]

We’d hoped for it to last us longer. Plus, it still has the layout we like.

We are only a few years older than you, RV wise. 2009 model, fulltimed in 2011. We bought the new Momentum April 2017. We probably would have put more money into the old RV but this new hybrid floor plan was a better layout for us, so we jumped. And in doing so we dumped all the cumulative problems, like maybe a busted weld on the frame.

 

[geotex1]

Sorry....misunderstood. That’s why I’m trying to get Lippert or GD to guide me. Not sure it’s safe to tow. Currently in Colo Springs till Monday. I’ve looked at the accessible frame areas and see nothing. I don’t know if a welder will know how to take the rig apart to see the issue. I suspect it’ll require the front compartment covering through the panel panel under the pin area to be removed. I discovered all this while waiting for roadside assistance after a tire blowout which tore up all the street side sheet metal. It hasn’t been a good week. ����

You should not tow it any great distance. You should be able to find one of the following in reasonable proximity:

- Trailer builder - especially equine and those building goosenecks
- RV/BUS/Semi body shop

If you have success with Lippert, they, like GD, have mobile technicians who are trained and experienced welders. Pin box deck fatigue and cracking is more common than you may realize. If you compare how yours is framed versus the current frames you would find a number of changes, albeit still room for improvement.

I have heard of some pretty outrageous prices from dealer service shops to make the repairs, and I believe you're fully out of frame warranty. Being full-timers, you can get your insurance involved... You can also save yourselves thousands finding a small shop with competence and your willingness to do the labor of stripping it for them - i.e., cutting the silicone, removing the corner trim from the front wall and overhang, pulling the pin box, pull the cargo door, and then loosening the panel. A couple days for proper repair with grinding, cure of weld-through primer, welding, then reinforcing, and a coat of rust-inhibiting paint. Then you do the reassembly. If not the result of corrosion, proper repairs will make it stronger than new.

Good luck getting sorted out!!!

 

[arhayes]

Just to update all, after conferring with a shop in Colo Springs (they were 2 1/2 weeks out to maybe look at it) we decided to come back to Tucson where we winter and own a rig in our RV resort. Not sure if I’d mentioned, but we discovered this AFTER a tire blowout that did extensive sheet metal damage which will be an insurance claim. Turns out Lazy Days cannot see us until the end of July (my 7 yr extended warranty expires July 8), but I was able to get into La Mesa RV here on June 17. I had forgotten the outfit I use to service my suspension most years and called them, then went down and showed him pictures and he was familiar with this type of issue, so I will take it to Professional Trailer Repair on 6/7 for them to diagnose and repair the frame/slide problem. That blowout was a blessing in disguise as I’m not sure how long it’d have taken me to notice this problem.

 

[AZMike]

Professional Trailer Repair just did some long overdue suspension upgrades on my trailer. Those guys know their stuff. Highly recommended!

 

[arhayes]

Professional Trailer Repair just did some long overdue suspension upgrades on my trailer. Those guys know their stuff. Highly recommended!

Thanks, Mike!

 

[mbergthold]

Professional Trailer Repair just did some long overdue suspension upgrades on my trailer. Those guys know their stuff. Highly recommended!

Curious what upgrades you had done, Mike. I'd like to go to Timken axle-less spindles and disc brakes, especially after seeing how thin the spring mounts are (and having axles that I think are not beefy enough for the 2500), but those are pricey, so looking for options.