Doug,
Thank you very much. Just hearing the issue is out there is a help. Yes, my frame was contracted to LCI to build from Sunline specs who is now long gone. They went under in Nov. 2006. I called the local LCI plant in PA who made the frame asking for help on confirming the grade of steel. While that operation is very much smaller now, they helped me confirm the steel grade so I know what I'm dealing with.
dougrainer wrote:
Do you know if you have a LCI(Lippert) Frame?
LCI builds the chassis to the OEM engineers specs, NOT what LCI engineers it. I have seen (Master tech) dozens of LCI frames that do what yours is doing over the years. The problem is, they do NOT build the frame strong enough for the Hole cut out for the slide room. That causes the type flex you have experienced.
Usually what causes the customer to notice the problem is when they have numerous issues with the operation of the slide room. It sticks/jams/ will not go in and out correctly.
In this case, the frame bend is only at the rear hanger. The slide arm hole area shows no signs of being bent. It is true straight along the bottom of the frame rail.
But behind the rear axle hanger, there is lower flange damage.
The yellow line is the center of the bend.
Here is the outside
I did look at the door side, once I scraped rust off I could see it better. The door side has a small ripple in the lower flange in the same place, just this side is not yet bent. While the lower flange started to buckle, it did not bend the beam yet. (luckily) This are I can reinforce before it gets worse.
Here are pictures of the slight ripple. If you find this on your frame behind the rear axle hanger, this is the time to address it before bigger issues come over time.
At the 3 1/2" mark is the center of the ripple bump
Looking at the top
Holding a straight edge up against the rippled area so you can see it maybe a little better.
I have a plan on how to correct this, but looking for info on what has been done before.
Thanks again
John
