Possible frame weld broken on new Montana

nwtraveler2 wrote:

nremtp143 wrote:
UPDATE!!!!

FINALLY IDENTIFIED!!!! Once the side wall was pulled back, it was very apparent what the problem was. The side stud of the bedroom slide was apparently about 3/8" too short and was just held in place with a tack weld. The other thing that was troubling, is look at where the weld is and the little extra pieces of aluminumlittle pieces of aluminumlittle extra pieces of aluminum they put under it to get make it longer!!!JUST ****!! It's on the weak, side wall of the tubing instead of near the corner. Plus, you can see that only a small section of the weld held and started to rip the beam underneath. No wonder it turned loose! The gap at the bottom of the stud was filled in with a small piece of aluminum and welded top and bottom to secure it. Also had gussets put on each side of the stud at the bottom and welded. I don't have pics of that for some reason. I know I took them. Below is a couple of pics of the problem and the movement with the skin removed.

ON EDIT!!! For the third time this month, I cannot post pics or video to this site!!!!:M

From the pictures it looks like those "little pieces" are ripped out of the horizontal tubing, not added to fill the gap. Too much frame flex and too thin tubing. Hope they get it fixed. That really sucks!!

Those "punchouts" were welded to the beam under and actually pulled holes in the beam when the stud and section began flexing. Once the tack weld pulled loose in the front section while the rear weld held, it tore the seam under the punchout. The top of that beam was plated with 1/8" aluminum plate and welded. Then the stud and weight was put back down and then gap underneath was filled in with aluminum and welded. Then gussets were put on all four corners of the stud to the bottom beam.