Lippert Frames
When we purchased our trailer in 2005, the Lippert frame problems were common. Fast forward to 2014. We are now are looking at gently used units. Trying to limit the new to us unit to model ye...
Forum Discussion
Guess I'll jump in here as well. I've had three fifth wheels, all of which have had Lippert frames under them. The first unit had pin box flex problems. I was one of many and fortunately, my pin box did not tear out before I had a structural engineer design a retro fit kit to strengthen it! That said, I did have the camber go out of one frame I beam, which caused a weld to break inside a wall. The repair cost over 18K and required the beam to be cut, jacked back into spec and a plate welded over the cut!
When I contacted Lippert about the pin box flex, they indicated they just build the frames to the manufacturers specs. I asked if they had engineers who checked over the plans and was told no. It is a manufacturers problem. In other words, pass the buck!
My second fifth had so many other warranty / quality related issues, I did not own it long enough to have frame problems, although after two years, I had to replace the tires, as the axles were out of alignment and caused premature tire wear!
Now I'm on my third, a 2014 fifth wheel. While I have not had any frame issues yet, I know of several people who have. Recently, I had the MORryde SRE4000 suspension system installed. In preparation for that, I designed up two additional frame cross braces. The trailer was designed without any! While installing them, I found all four of the spring hangers to be welded seemingly anyplace close to where they should be. I had to make individual shims to take up the space, as much as 1/4" I don't know how they expect to align the axles, but I'm expecting to see tire wear quickly. I doubt complaining to the manufacturer, or Lippert will cause them to agree to cut the spring hangers loose and reposition them. More than likely, I will have to find a frame shop locally that can do that work.
Bottom line is there is no oversight in an industry that produces a product that we pay high prices for. It is sad true fact and the ability to trust in a quality product coming from them, no matter who the manufacturer is, really is not there. It is a 50 - 50 chance that you will get a unit free from "defective engineering and workmanship.
Bandaid
When I contacted Lippert about the pin box flex, they indicated they just build the frames to the manufacturers specs. I asked if they had engineers who checked over the plans and was told no. It is a manufacturers problem. In other words, pass the buck!
My second fifth had so many other warranty / quality related issues, I did not own it long enough to have frame problems, although after two years, I had to replace the tires, as the axles were out of alignment and caused premature tire wear!
Now I'm on my third, a 2014 fifth wheel. While I have not had any frame issues yet, I know of several people who have. Recently, I had the MORryde SRE4000 suspension system installed. In preparation for that, I designed up two additional frame cross braces. The trailer was designed without any! While installing them, I found all four of the spring hangers to be welded seemingly anyplace close to where they should be. I had to make individual shims to take up the space, as much as 1/4" I don't know how they expect to align the axles, but I'm expecting to see tire wear quickly. I doubt complaining to the manufacturer, or Lippert will cause them to agree to cut the spring hangers loose and reposition them. More than likely, I will have to find a frame shop locally that can do that work.
Bottom line is there is no oversight in an industry that produces a product that we pay high prices for. It is sad true fact and the ability to trust in a quality product coming from them, no matter who the manufacturer is, really is not there. It is a 50 - 50 chance that you will get a unit free from "defective engineering and workmanship.
Bandaid
