what mid-range 5th wheels are out there w/o lippert?

Then Lippert bought them all so you now get Lippert if you like them or not. Lelands and Dexters are all part of LCI now.

shadoow wrote:

oldtrojan66 wrote:
Perhaps Jayco has stopped using Lippert, but I think my 07 Designer has Lippert components. I don't know that I have any problems, but you might check into this.

ok, will do. Can't remember why i thought they weren't using lippert...

At one time (apparently) Jayco was *not* using Lippert.
(Frames = Leland Engineering)

See links (from 2009 & 2010) - maybe sooper will chime in whether the info is still current..:@

Thread: "Jayco Frame Builder?"

Thread: "Jayco frames"

.

RVcrazy wrote:
Some models of Nuwa were made with Youngs frames, not Lippert. They sell their remaining new & used units out of Kansas City RV now that they are no longer manufacturing new units. They are above mid-range, but may be affordable in a clearance or used unit.

They are sold at Chanute KS and they sell DRV along with several other brands. The name is Kansas RV center. They still have a factory there and provide service.

mileshuff wrote:

shadoow wrote:
Issues i've had haven't been with the frame, but more with the suspension/axles. This year I've had a sealed bearing failure and a broke leaf spring. Other springs are soon to fail also by the looks of them.

What year is your trailer. Most with problems I've seen have been 2007-2009. Aren't the bearings the same as used on numerous other trailers and are not made by Lippert themselves?

my trailer is a 2009 and axles/suspension was made by LCI (Lippert Components Inc)

The Carriage technology and people now build Lifestyle RVs on their frames.

Atom Ant wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
FWIW my Northwood Fox Mountain has AL-CO axles. Not sure what the Arctic Fox line uses. One of the main reasons we went with Northwood is because of the Lippert frame issues. Even though it is not a wide spread issue it is an issue. Why by something that may or may not have an issue when you can buy something that has proven to be more reliable? TT's/5'ers have enough issues on their own, why compound them? Does that mean I'm stuck buying only Northwood products because of Lippert frames? Maybe so. Better safe than sorry.

Guess you can't have everything - Al-Ko axles would be a deal breaker for me. Had tons of issues with them on an earlier Montana and Keystone replaced them with Dexter. The next year they changed out the whole fleet with Dexter.

What year was this? I have a 2012 Cougar with AlKo.

Me Again wrote:

n7bsn wrote:

colliehauler wrote:
Excel makes a midrange model Winslow. They build there own frames in house.

Couldn't slam Excel for quality, but even their "cheaper" rigs are not what I would call "mid-range".

Given deep pocket, they would certainly be on my list

I would not buy an Excel unless I lived near the factory or it was in my Snowbird route. Most of the Excel owners in our park routinely stop for service at the factory. They are very good about taking care of issues, and that is telling in a way! As most have had issues, leaks and dry rot being one of the big ones!

Chris

Ugh...more anectodotal advice on Excels

goducks10 wrote:
FWIW my Northwood Fox Mountain has AL-CO axles. Not sure what the Arctic Fox line uses......

Our Fox has AL-CO, to date no issues

I really would not want anything Lippert. Ive been there, and have been taken by them. I now have a Carriage. No comparison with frame quality. you could buy a quality trailer by buying a nice clean unit. Most units ive traded in were spotless as well as waxed.

Atom Ant wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
FWIW my Northwood Fox Mountain has AL-CO axles. Not sure what the Arctic Fox line uses. One of the main reasons we went with Northwood is because of the Lippert frame issues. Even though it is not a wide spread issue it is an issue. Why by something that may or may not have an issue when you can buy something that has proven to be more reliable? TT's/5'ers have enough issues on their own, why compound them? Does that mean I'm stuck buying only Northwood products because of Lippert frames? Maybe so. Better safe than sorry.

Guess you can't have everything - Al-Ko axles would be a deal breaker for me. Had tons of issues with them on an earlier Montana and Keystone replaced them with Dexter. The next year they changed out the whole fleet with Dexter.

It's a lot easier to deal with an axle issue 4-5 yrs down the road than a tweaked Lippert frame. Guess I'll take my chances.