Which toy haulers Do or Don't use Lippert (LCI) frames?

The buyer I was researching for ended up buying some huge monstrosity, a 38' Crossroads Elevation.

trail-explorer wrote:
I've never seen a "DOT" sticker on a TT frame or the actually TT / TH itself.

You're probably right, I used the wrong terminology.

Just trying to convey info I've heard from one of the old WW factory managers. You are correct though, the 'sticker' is not on the frame, its on the trailers front corner. Not sure where the frame rating is/was. Or if there was a frame sticker at all, or just a certification paper that went with the frames. Or if just a verbal shout was given by the frame delivery dude "hey this frame is good for 20,000lb".., idk... lol

Was told WW could buy them either way, rated or not rated. Not sure how LCI rated their frames or where they put the ratings. The ones that were not rated got rated by WW. Not sure how they accomplished that and if they put anything on the frames, or just used a total combined rating with the TH sticker..?
Would assume the total TH weight ratings have to be somewhat related to the 'chosen' frames capacity being used, yes..?

Have heard it called the fat sticker, the weight sticker, Data sticker, Data plate, RV weight labels, Dot weight sticker, etc,,, not sure what the correct label is...?

I've never seen a "DOT" sticker on a TT frame or the actually TT / TH itself.

My Weekend Warrior Wide Body FB2200 had two 5600 lb axles and was rated for 11,200 lbs. Although the generator and all water tanks were forward of the axles, I was able to keep the tongue weight under 1250 lbs even when filled with 150 gallons fresh by making sure the fuel tank aft of the axles was full and toys were loaded with weight to the rear. Like yours, mine was heavy and came in 7500 lbs dry for a 22' bumper pull.

IMO, wouldn't be so fast to discount all Lippert frames.

From what I've been told all LCI frames are more or less custom ordered by the RV manufacturer to their specs. LCI has base size models that need to be spec'd, custom built for each individual model run specs.
In my 2007 era of LCI frames, was told they could be sold with or without DOT certification specs depending what the rv manufacture wants/buys. WW did their own dot sticker ratings, what a joke. All big tt WW TH of that era and size where all gvw13,000lb. Didn't matter what the 'real weight was, didn't mater if it was 28'-32'+4 like mine, all rated at 13,000 gvw.

So blame the RV manufacturer for not specing out a strong enough frame for their TH. Keep in mind its a balancing act of compromise between strength and weight savings...

Don't think for 1 minute that lipert hasn't seen each and every frame problem one of their frames has sustained. They are an old company and my bet is they have learned from their(or manufactures)mistakes building or ordering frames. Granted I have seen some questionable welds from LCI and that is their fault no doubt. But imagine the cost of something as big as a TH frame all tig welded with nice picture perfect x-ray checked welds.

Check the dot sticker for proper GVWR, TW and correct empty weight, after you weight the trailer on a real scale.
Make sure the sticker matches the real world weights before you buy. That will tell you how concerned the RV manufacturer was with ordering and correctly DOT certifying the correct frame for each particular trailer.If you buy from a reputable RV manufacturer and check over the frame for poor quality welds and construction and all of the above, you should be fine.

My WW has a stout LCI frame. But imo not stout enough for the real weight of the TH. The sticker listed GVW is 13,000, tw is 1100. Not even in the ballpark for the real TW or GVW. At least it has 3 6000lb axles. Never had a problem with the frame but did get South Cal RV doctor to do their beefy frame up date. My LCI framed WW TH is solid as the rock of Gibraltar now. But it is one heavy fat pig for a TT...

So in my case, I blame WW not LCI for shorting the DOT sticker on GVW/TW and thus failing to order/build the correct strength frame for real world GVW/TW. Thank God for South Cal RV Doctor...

jmo

If you can afford it, DRV FullHouse has their frame built to spec. Its still Lippert, But its triple stacked box frame built right.

carringb wrote:

arhayes wrote:
And, what are you postulating?

He probably does not want an LCI frame.

I was doing the research for someone I know who is looking at toy haulers.

arhayes wrote:
And, what are you postulating?

Nothing.

offtohavasu wrote:
I would imagine bearing grease is on everyone's mind with a Lippert frame.

I prefer not to grease my mind, if I did, then the Lippert frame would slip off my head.

My 07 KZ uses the Leleand frame but I was under the impression they were no longer building RV products. Shame as it is a stout design and we also love the garage is dropped 8 inches lower for a nice angle on the ramp, as well as cathedral-like ceiling height.