Forum Discussion

Tumbleweed79's avatar
Tumbleweed79
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014

Crack in Sidewall by Bedroom Slide

We purchased a brand new 2014 Keystone Avalanche on June 2, 2014. By the 23 of June after having pulled it only twice I noticed a crack in the sidewall by the bedroom. It was small and while concerned I wasn't sure if it had been there when I bought it or not. We were parked for over a month and I decided to keep an eye on it and if it got ANY bigger I would make the call to Keystone. Well...it did. Below are the pictures.

I contacted Keystone, they told me to get it to a dealer. The dealer in Tulsa where we were was booked up until October so we ended up pulling it to Texas. After I dropped it off the service manager called me and told me that what he had thought was a simple "stress crack", after seeing it first hand was certain it was a cracked weld or broken frame.

After several days of waiting I got an email from the dealer stating that Keystone had "respectfully declined" assistance in our problem. They cited a Warranty Exclusion that "Damage or loss caused in whole or in part to a .... cargo platform" was not covered. At this time, it doesn't appear I have ANY warranty on this unit. Although Keystone won't answer that question.

The cargo platform in question was one that we had on our Keystone Bullet (with absolutely no problems) and carried our two kids bikes and a door mat. That's it NOTHING else.

Has anybody else had this type of crack on your unit?
Have you had any trouble with your manufacturer covering the repairs or "respectfully declining" to assist?

The unit was only 19-20 days from purchase and had this problem.

I have pictures to post, but am not understanding how to go about posting them. Please help with that.

Thanks!
  • We had a 2012 Cameo that did not c rack below the bedroom slide, but it dis open the caulking in the seam on the horizontal trim below the bedroom slide. I marked it while unhitched and then again while hitched. It was pulling the seam 1/8" a part vertically.

    We had the unit repaired at Kansas RV Center in Chanute, KS. It is the old NuWa plant and they are well aware of the issues in the corner with the bedroom slide. They pulled the siding off in that corner, made a steel splicer plate and put it all together with a plywood backer piece to strengthen the corner of the slide, top and bottom.

    It seemed to fix the problem, no more movement. The cost was a bit shy of $3k.

    Since your trailer is new, tell the dealer to get the trailer to the factory and let them deal with it.

    I am not sure it is all the manufacturers at fault here. The roads are getting to be really bad. We have gone with a Trailer Saver TS3 air ride hitch, Demco Glide pinbox and Mor/Ryde IS suspension for the trailer. The trailer dies ride smoother so hopefully we won't beat it to death so soon.

    In the mean time write your state reps and demand that some money be spent on roads.

    Ken
  • Where do you have this 'cargo platform' installed?

    On pin box or rear of 5vr on hitch?

    On pin box.........you have a fight on your hands getting Keystone to except responsibility.
    At rear on a hitch.........easier to show it didn't have an effect.

    Wall studs just forward of bedroom slides breaking a weld at bottom support are common.

    I would be making contact DIRECTLY with a Keystone Rep. vs second hand thru dealer. Keystone provides the warranty not dealership so deal with them directly.
  • Is it under the bedroom slide, extending down to the frame? IF so, that is a common problem. The flex in the frame is too much with the slide bouncing on top of the floor, and the rigid wall cracks at the weakest point. A few years ago, a saw cut and moulding was the factory answer to avoid the crack.

    If that's not the area, then I'm not sure what you mean.

  • Go over to the Montana owners club web site. You will find many comments on cracked welds and frame problems. The frame is probably made by Lippert, maybe you need to contact them as well.
  • if it is under the slide its from frame flex if behind the slide it is usually a broken wall stud
  • Our 5th wheel is 20 years old and has developed cracks in the sidewalls since it was new. I gave up having them fixed because the repair ended up more noticeable than the cracks. What I do now is when I spot a crack I drill a hole at the end of the crack (use a drill bit that is a little larger than the crack). Fill the crack and the hole with silicone sealant, let it dry and then paint to match. Drilling the hole will help stop the crack in most cases.

    I have one crack that I couldn't stop it is now about 18" long and 1/4" wide in some spots. It finally stopped when it reached the top of a large bay window on the side of our 5th wheel. I keep it filled with sealant to prevent a leak and paint it to match.

    I would fight since yours is still under warranty. Maybe even get a lawyer involved.
  • Take a lot of pictures and get a decent lawyer to write a real convincing letter to both your dealer and KEYSTONE.
    Wait I said decent,, but a lawyer that can write a good letter usually does' the job.It may cost you a few $$$$ but welll worth the fight.