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Old 09-16-2024, 06:57 PM   #1
LarryBessette
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Frame failure

Well I've stepped in it now. Wife and I are on our 50th anniversary trip. Going west from NC and visiting 13 National Parks and as many National Monuments etc as we can in 82 days but there is a problem. A few days ago I noticed that the floor was sagging in front of the refrigerator. Went out to look and found that the left side frame rail is twisted. As a result the brackets welded to the rail have failed and the floor is sagging. That was an oh s**t moment for me. Being curious I cut a hole in the under belly and fount exactly what I was afraid I would. Broken welds on 4 joists.
I'm not canceling the trip so go to the store, buy some steel and bolt everything back together well enough to continue. Unfortunately I was only partially successful. There is now inadequate clearance between the tires and the underside of the floor. I need more clearance.
Any input the group could offer would be appreciated, especially if it would help get us through this trip. We are in Utah.
I did a quick search and it seems that frame failures are not uncommon.
 
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Old 09-16-2024, 07:38 PM   #2
LeftOverParts
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First, congrats on your .anniversary!

Think you might have to forfeit one day to have the welds repaired by a shop or mobile welder. If you contact weld shops in your area or where you’re going to ahead of time, they may be able to get you in. See if you can send them pictures so they have an idea of the work.

You didn’t say where in Utah so a quick search on iPhone maps shows the following. You could do the same for mobile welders.

Another source for finding welders might be the local Napa or truck repair shops.

Good luck!
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Old 09-17-2024, 08:22 AM   #3
LarryBessette
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Frame failure

I'm going to have to find someone who can straighten the rail before any welding can be done.
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Old 09-17-2024, 08:39 AM   #4
Mikendebbie
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Larry - what is the year and model of your RV?
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Old 09-17-2024, 09:48 AM   #5
thegumbos
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I hate to say it, but you might be looking at a more expensive repair.

Last year, while traveling through Southern California, we somehow managed to severely crack our frame. The damage was probably caused by a combination of hitting potholes on the interstate and the fact that we had installed Lippert risers to lift our rig 2” (so that we could clear the hill in front of our driveway).

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The frame was damaged enough that both tires on that side were touching each other. Since we couldn’t move the rig in that condition, we contacted a mobile welder, who was able to cut out the cracked part of the frame and re-weld the frame and spring hangers so that we could continue home to Washington State.

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However, when we got home, we discovered that, when the frame had cracked, the rear end of the frame had dropped down 2” and the temporary welds had secured it in that position. After contacting numerous local RV repair facilities, we were told that only an authorized Lippert welder could repair the unit.

First, we had to pay for a Lippert technician to drive up from California to inspect the rig. Then we had to find an RV repair facility that would allow an outside welder to come onsite and do the repair. THEN we had to pay for the Lippert welder to drive up AGAIN to do the work.

Needless to say, this turned out to be a VERY expensive repair job!

Here’s the final repair with new hangers and cross members:

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Old 09-22-2024, 01:51 PM   #6
jkxtreme
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I would also like to know the year and model of Larry's RV. We constantly check for frame damage in our 2023 model 3901RK. Since our fridge is all the way at the back I am always worried about frame issues. We've only put about 5k miles on our unit but I will inspect the frame after each trip. We are currently in central Pa. and the roads here are pretty terrible. I think I'm going to add shocks to the trailer but not until we get back to our home base in central Florida. Next year we head west so I don't want any surprises.
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Old 09-22-2024, 02:09 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thegumbos View Post

First, we had to pay for a Lippert technician to drive up from California to inspect the rig. Then we had to find an RV repair facility that would allow an outside welder to come onsite and do the repair. THEN we had to pay for the Lippert welder to drive up AGAIN to do the work.
Kurt just curious why you needed the Lippert blessing…was it warranty work? If not, I would let the expert do their job. Lippert clearly didn’t do theirs in building a quality frame, I wouldn’t trust a field guy to point to the nearest frame crack!
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Old 09-22-2024, 02:11 PM   #8
Garybricker
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Originally Posted by jkxtreme View Post
I would also like to know the year and model of Larry's RV. We constantly check for frame damage in our 2023 model 3901RK. Since our fridge is all the way at the back I am always worried about frame issues. We've only put about 5k miles on our unit but I will inspect the frame after each trip. We are currently in central Pa. and the roads here are pretty terrible. I think I'm going to add shocks to the trailer but not until we get back to our home base in central Florida. Next year we head west so I don't want any surprises.
Stay off IH 70 in Indiana
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Old 09-22-2024, 04:44 PM   #9
Speck56
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Oh boy. This is problem. Our 2020 3761fl was in a shop for 8 months arguing with Keystone. All the welds were inadequate. The flex ruined both front living slides. Unfortunately I have no advice while your traveling. Be careful, keep a eye on the slide outs
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Old 09-22-2024, 05:02 PM   #10
Speck56
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Also, stay off the I 70 in Indiana. The Worst
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Old 09-22-2024, 05:21 PM   #11
LarryBessette
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Thanks for all your responses. My unit is a 2019 330RE. We are continuing with our journey. We are so far west that we might as well finish the trip. So far, even with reduced clearance the tires are not contacting the body of the camper. It looks like my temporary repairs are holding. When we get home I will decide what repair path to take, straighten and reinforce the rail or cut the bent section out and replace it. I'll let you all know.
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Old 09-30-2024, 02:38 PM   #12
Kfinnert
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Hi Larry -

Curious to know how the trip is progressing. I live on the Central Coast of CA. and have contacts up and down the State to include some in NV if help is needed while on the road; no guarantees, but we can see what can be done to help out another RVer.

I highly recommend California RV Specialists in Lodi, Ca. https://calrvspecialists.com/ ask for Dustin, he and his wife own the shop and have many years of experience. They might be able to get you repaired and back on the road.

Best of luck to you on your grand journey!
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Old 09-30-2024, 04:34 PM   #13
182flyer
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Garybricker &Speck56: spot on with I 70 in IN; just traveled there last week=terrible.
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Old 09-30-2024, 07:01 PM   #14
brycesteiner
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probably glad your not in Brevard now. The welds holding up still?
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