Frame flex/Cross Members Broken Welds

[seminolecoop]

When I pulled into Golden Colorado yesterday I noticed my rear wheels were offset to the passenger side. The camper is a 2021 montana 3761fl. When I looked underneath I could see the I-beam channels bent and some of the steal cross members broke at the weld on the passenger side. Has anyone had this happen and got it repaired near Denver. We are about 4 weeks into a 2 month trip from South Carolina, any suggestions on repair facilities would be appreciated greatly. I will try to attach some pictures.

[Mikendebbie]

Can you post photos of the bent/broker steel beams and cross members you are seeing?

[Daryles]

I just finished adding Lippert "Angle" supports for the leaf spring hangers (included on 2022 and newer rigs). Preparation for this required removing the coroplast. Once removed I discovered two cross braces were broken at BOTH sides above the axles. I called the mobile welder I had scheduled to weld in the Angle supports and asked him if he could do anything with it. He said he would have a look.
Once he got finished with the Angle supports, we straightened the cross beams and he welded them back in place. He ran three beads of weld. Front, back and bottom versus the original tack welds.
He did comment that the cross beams are NOT thick enough (flimsy).

I STRONGLY recommend to EVERYONE, cut access flaps 8" in front of and behind the front and rear leaf spring hangers and inspect your cross braces regularly.
Do this BEFORE your three year structural warranty runs out.

Pic 1. Lippert Angle support
Pic 2. Angle support and welded cross beam
Pic3. Broken cross beam.

LCI leaf spring hanger support angle.
https://www.lippert.com/ang-3313-x-3...9-l1813-103727

[RMcNeal]

Wow! Good Catch. That could have been really bad.

[RichR]

Repair at LazyDays Longmount Co. Right on I25. Very large place.

[ChuckS]

Great pics and the “V brackets” should add strength to the spring hangers ..

I use a small inexpensive flexible boroscope that attaches to my cell phone . Ten foot camera cable.

I remove two of the coroplast sheet metal screws and work the boroscope up under the coroplast and can see the brace welds, etc.

I also use this little boroscope to have a look see at many other areas… such as the main slide out hydraulic cylinders located way up underneath , over head HVAC ductwork ,

Images of the $35 scope I use. There are better ones but this one has good lighting, takes photos or videos , and is simple to use

[Greg n Tracy]

Watching closely - as I just tried to fix this problem myself. I sent these pics to my Dealer, and they suggested I have a "frame shop" look at it. What is the warranty for this type of issue?

[Speck56]

Oh boy. We just returned to Arizona from a 5 week trip Niagra, Boston etc. Just before leaving family in Illinois I looked underneath to see a complete cross member laying loose on the under belly. I opened it up and found the other one between the axles broken also. My 2020 3761FL is out of warranty. Due to previous frame issues, I called Keystone. They sent me to a repair facility in Springfield Illinois. They promised nothing but would stay in touch with the Camping World they sent me to. That was October 13th. Still waiting. The Lippert welds are absolutely atrocious. All tacks.

[Foldbak]

Well hell, another thing to worry about. Guess I'll be looking.

[MandK]

Are these broken cross members occurring mostly above the axles?

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by MandK

Are these broken cross members occurring mostly above the axles?

Correct.
My welder told me the cross beam should be more substantial material. It's too thin.
After he welded it, he said keep an eye on it. If it breaks again he would weld in gussets (triangles) into all the corners.

On the other hand...
The outer tube of the hydraulic slides go all the way across AND are welded in on BOTH frame sides on three sides of the tube. It provides structural strength to the frame.

Picture under freshwater tank looking forward. Picture taken AFTER cleaning up (zip tieing all the wiring and hydraulic lines up).

Watch your wheels when backing into a 90⁰ site.
It's freaky how much the wheels flex. All that stress transfers into the frame.
Throw sand, gravel, cardboard, plastic tarp (folded polyethylene is very slippery) etc, under the flexing wheels to relieve the tension.

[Mikendebbie]

Daryle’s - so do you think Morryde X-factor braces would serve to relieve stress on the spring hangers only? Or would also relieve stress on the cross frame joists? I’ve been eye-balling those things for years - just have never pulled the trigger to buy them.

[MandK]

It looks as though the outer tubes are forward and rearward of the spring hangers, similar to mine, also high on the web, and the broken cross member is right above the spring hangers, so I’m hoping the x-factors help.

[Livinrdream]

I had the same problem I believe. I had new leaf springs installed and the nuts on the u bolts were not torqued to manufacturers specs. Axels “walked” to the drives side. Filed a claim with my insurance carrier. 4 weeks later, they totaled it.

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by Mikendebbie

Daryle’s - so do you think Morryde X-factor braces would serve to relieve stress on the spring hangers only? Or would also relieve stress on the cross frame joists? I’ve been eye-balling those things for years - just have never pulled the trigger to buy them.

I watched the install video of them. I believe they would definitely help the leaf spring hangers AND the cross beam supports.
IF you have a newer rig with the "Angle supports" already installed, I dont believe the MorRyde X-Factor supports will fit. The Angles get in the way.

Since we broke a leaf spring Hanger last year at Moab Utah, (didnt catch it until we were at the dump staion leaving) I do a through arrival inspection now.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=819kNHsT19g

[RVer4Lyfe]

Hey There!

Have you tried contacting Keystone RV directly on there customer service line? I know that I have reached out to them on Facebook directly with my unit information and got a return call from a member of management. I believe the customer service number is 866-425-4369. Hope this helps in anyway! Good Luck!

[scottz]

I don't think I have any broken cross members. This rig has had Morryde x-factor braces (3 of them) most of it's life. I also have five angle iron cross members between frame rails on the outside of the corroplast. I put these in under the gray/black/fresh water tanks as additional support but they also stiffen the frame considerably.

I don't have the energy that Daryl does, but I did get under the rig and pushed on each cross member through the corroplast (36" on center) to see if I could feel anything broken; all solid; called it a day.

These are the braces under the gray/black holding tanks. There is also one under the fresh water tank.