Spring Hanger Bracket Brace

[ChuckS]

Had been doing some research while the weather is lousy. Specifically looking for more info on the spring hanger brackets that like to break at their weld point on the frames.

We all should know that the major contributor to broken spring hanger brackets is backing up at sever angles and tight turns

This of course places a lot of stress load on those welded on hanger brackets..

The attached PDF I put together has some info that might interest some owners. There has been an angle support bracket design out for a number of years that has been forgotten by many

The original Lippert drawing shows a date of 2003 and updates to it in 2021..

Currently this brace support is being installed at the factory for some Grand Design fifth wheels on the Lippert 12 inch drop frame that Montanas use.

It is a Standard Suspension option when you look at their spec sheet

Attached is a PDF I put together that some might find a good read.

[team bradfield]

good info, thanks

[Mikendebbie]

ChuckS - I don’t know anything about welding - so I have questions on the welds.
Judging from the pic of the welded bracket - I tried to highlight the sides of the bracket that are welded to the hanger bracket (red marks on the shop drawing).
Are these the only spots that need to be welded to the bracket? If I ever get this done I want to make sure I instruct the welder correctly.

I’m curious if this fix provides better “insurance” strength to the hanger brackets as the Morryde X-Factor braces?

[Lee-CI]

Originally Posted by Mikendebbie

ChuckS - I don’t know anything about welding - so I have questions on the welds.
Judging from the pic of the welded bracket - I tried to highlight the sides of the bracket that are welded to the hanger bracket (red marks on the shop drawing).
Are these the only spots that need to be welded to the bracket? If I ever get this done I want to make sure I instruct the welder correctly.

I’m curious if this fix provides better “insurance” strength to the hanger brackets as the Morryde X-Factor braces?

We are traveling tomorrow. We were supposed to do so today, but there are some nasty storms predicted overnight, so we are holding off until Monday morning. So long as CRS doesn't sneak up on me, I'll try and get out and take some detailed photos of our 22 model, as it came from the factory with the triangle braces for the hanger brackets welded into place. I'll see if I can't ascertain exactly where the weld beads were laid during installation.

[ChuckS]

From the info I have the extra brace support brackets are now being installed on Keystone Montana and Keystone Alpine 2022 units.. was just shown an image at the Keystone Alpine assy line showing these brackets are in fact welded on for the new 2022 models.. Doesn't help the owners of older units

[Lee-CI]

Agreed on this info won't help previous year models without getting the reinforcement brackets and the services of a welder. Your info is evidently accurate on the modification already being done by Keystone on the new builds. The weld points are indeed where you speculated on the Lippert engineering drawing. Apologies for the photos orientation.

[bshgto]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

From the info I have the extra brace support brackets are now being installed on Keystone Montana and Keystone Alpine 2022 units.. was just shown an image at the Keystone Alpine assy line showing these brackets are in fact welded on for the new 2022 models.. Doesn't help the owners of older units

e

I put the XFactor braces on all three spring hangers seems to work and owner installation, easy, we`ll see

[ChuckS]

I contacted Lippert regarding the bracket support for the spring hangers.. Their response

RE: Lippert ANG 3.313 X 3.313 X .179 L1.813N [ ref:_00Di0aIhw._5005d1gtLIq:ref ]
Inbox


EmailToCase via qal073vd6zfb.i-aihweae.na161.bnc.salesforce.com

9:21 AM (23 minutes ago)


Chuck,

Thank you for contacting Lippert Components for support with this issue. Many dealers/repair facilities are familiar with this repair and have preformed it for cases we have worked prior. There is not a current set documentation supported procedure at this time. However, with the ruling being in affect for a while most retail will contact their local dealer for their rundown and assistance if requested. We are always working to update our documents, so I'm sure a support document for this will come soon. We have a service team we can reference too as well if needed to provide repair procedures to any local dealers/repair facilities of your choice that are unaware of the procedure.

Thank you again for contacting us, if you have any other questions or concerns feel free to contact us again for assistance.

Lippert Care Center Axle/Chassis Tech - Kyron S
w: 432-LIPPERT| f: 574.534.7161

[phillyg]

So, 10 cents of steel and a couple more minutes at the welder can prevent a lot of breakage.

[scottz]

Your photo shows a brace on the center mounts, but it looks to me like the center mounts would require a different (longer) bracket. I'm not sure it would work or even be necessary on my center mounts (LRE 4100).

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by scottz

Your photo shows a brace on the center mounts, but it looks to me like the center mounts would require a different (longer) bracket. I'm not sure it would work or even be necessary on my center mounts (LRE 4100).

I beleive that all the Lippert 12 inch frames for fifth wheels now have this brace on all the hangers... I cant recall seeing a center spring hanger bracket cracked but I suppose it can happen..

The number one cause of the these breaking at the welds anyway is operator error trying to back in at an extreme angle

99% of the time it isn't necessary to back at sharp angels.. I dont back in at over 35 to 45 degree angle and have not in over 45 years...

Its called knowing how to setup your tow vehicle and RV before you start to back up

Lippert has now removed the PN brace off their website.. it was available yesterday but they have broken the link to it

There is a class action law suit out against this issue and is most likely why all of a sudden the 2022 models have them welded on at the builder

[phillyg]

"......99% of the time it isn't necessary to back at sharp angels.. I dont back in at over 35 to 45 degree angle and have not in over 45 years....." I've experienced the complete opposite in many FL sites.

[wed]

Wow thanks for the info

[beeje]

Short of going full boar by having the mor ryde IS installed (like we did) the best thing to do is to have some kind of tube steel welded on across from hanger to hanger. Or like someone else mentioned (if you do not want to weld) install x-factors on all 3 hanger locations from side to side.

[jwengermt]

Thanks for the info. I'll save it in case i may need it.
Safe travels.

[JBS]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

Had been doing some research while the weather is lousy. Specifically looking for more info on the spring hanger brackets that like to break at their weld point on the frames.

We all should know that the major contributor to broken spring hanger brackets is backing up at sever angles and tight turns

This of course places a lot of stress load on those welded on hanger brackets..

The attached PDF I put together has some info that might interest some owners. There has been an angle support bracket design out for a number of years that has been forgotten by many

The original Lippert drawing shows a date of 2003 and updates to it in 2021..

Currently this brace support is being installed at the factory for some Grand Design fifth wheels on the Lippert 12 inch drop frame that Montanas use.

It is a Standard Suspension option when you look at their spec sheet

Attached is a PDF I put together that some might find a good read.

Do you know if you can get the modification braces

[D&D Young]

Thanks for posting this Chuck. This past June on a trip out west, mine broke on my 2018 Montana 3811ms. . I did not notice anything while towing but noticed my door side rear tire seemed to be sticking out further then the front one at a fuel stop. I only had 10 miles to go to a repair shop where I had an appointment for an unrelated issue. On my arrival the front and rear tires only had about an inch separation between them. The hanger had broke and it bent the springs and most everything else on the suspension.
After waiting for an insurance adjuster (5 days) Affinity RV Repair Group (5 star) did the work right away once the adjuster left without waiting for authorization. We were on our way and two days later they called us with what we owed, $2800 out of $4000. It was a long week but we were able to continue our trip.

I will most likely do this upgrade to prevent a recurring event.

Dennis