2010 Montana 5th wheel frame problems

laknox wrote:

FastEagle wrote:
Have you had the trailer weighed? Sure looks like an overloading problem to me.

FastEagle

p.s. Not a hip shot comment. My military specialty was Aviation Structural Mechanic (30+ years). Stress fractures (cracking) are almost always caused by loads beyond the capability of the design.

Of course, being built by the lowest bidder had =nothing= to do with it... :B

Lyle

I'm not sure what type of competition there is in the RV frame building business. I know Lipppert recently purchased another manufacturer that had a good reputation, so they may be one of the very few making RV frames. But I agree with the manufacturer's specs playing a big role in the strength of the frame. Quality of workmanship is another issue, however. I've seen some Lippert frames with good solid welds (like mine), and then some that looks like Ray Charles did the welding.

laknox wrote:

FastEagle wrote:
Have you had the trailer weighed? Sure looks like an overloading problem to me.

FastEagle

p.s. Not a hip shot comment. My military specialty was Aviation Structural Mechanic (30+ years). Stress fractures (cracking) are almost always caused by loads beyond the capability of the design.

Of course, being built by the lowest bidder had =nothing= to do with it... :B

Lyle

Once upon a time Alan B. Shepard mused - while setting atop a rocket getting ready to be fired into space - that the whole thing under him might have been built by the lowest bidder.

FE

FastEagle wrote:
Have you had the trailer weighed? Sure looks like an overloading problem to me.

FastEagle

p.s. Not a hip shot comment. My military specialty was Aviation Structural Mechanic (30+ years). Stress fractures (cracking) are almost always caused by loads beyond the capability of the design.

Of course, being built by the lowest bidder had =nothing= to do with it... :B

Lyle

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Mile High wrote:
Don't put all the blame on Keystone - Lippert is hiding under the table......

I still throw it back to the RV MFG. They want light and big, not a good combo. Look in the pics above the metal has broken and it looks like it's very thin.

Mobile Suites uses Lippert also but they spec their frames to be very strong.

That was a very thin looking frame...at what point does the stinking manufacturer stop cutting corners, (ie, frames, tires, audio equip, etc)), keep charging outragious prices for their product and start putting together a quality product? I know there are some out there who make a quality produc, but it's a minority f manufacturers....It should make one wonder if the tires are going to "blow" first or if the frame is going to crack.

someone asked what hitch OP was using...I'm curious to hear what type hitch also...GN or traditional 5th wheel hitch....or was the frame assembly just that terrible...

Mile High wrote:
Don't put all the blame on Keystone - Lippert is hiding under the table......

I still throw it back to the RV MFG. They want light and big, not a good combo. Look in the pics above the metal has broken and it looks like it's very thin.

Mobile Suites uses Lippert also but they spec their frames to be very strong.

NC Hauler wrote:

Mile High wrote:
Don't put all the blame on Keystone - Lippert is hiding under the table......

Agree, Lippert manufactured the frame that Keystone manufactured the 5er onto.

And Keystone keeps buying them by the thousands and apparently ignores the problem. Thousand of Lippert frames, more than than other company's combined, that don't fail. Lippert is just like MTD, they will build you cheap krap or good stuff. Just bring your specs.

Have you had the trailer weighed? Sure looks like an overloading problem to me.

FastEagle

p.s. Not a hip shot comment. My military specialty was Aviation Structural Mechanic (30+ years). Stress fractures (cracking) are almost always caused by loads beyond the capability of the design.

Mile High wrote:
Don't put all the blame on Keystone - Lippert is hiding under the table......

Possibly. Do remember that Lippert makes the frames for the DRV Mobile Suites and the Jayco Pinnacle fifth wheels. Not many problems with those units as far as frame issues.

:E hate to ask, but what kind of hitch was being used on this fifth wheel???????

Mile High wrote:
Don't put all the blame on Keystone - Lippert is hiding under the table......

Agree, Lippert manufactured the frame that Keystone manufactured the 5er onto.

I believe in my case that the closet was built so poorly that it would have come apart with or without the frame flexing. Mine is a 2013 Montana Moutaineer which I believe it has the same closet.