Help!!! Frame broke

With a little online looking it appears the cargo capacity is 1,100 to 1,150 pounds. It would be very easy to be overloaded since that is not a large amount of capacity.

I figure our everyday camping gear with food and water exceeds 1,500. I always make sure any trailer I buy has 2,000 or more capacity.

ERnurse16 wrote:
To down the road - how do you figure we were overloaded? We had water in the tanks and a few kitchen supplies in the trailer. We had our clothes and food in the towing vehicle.

I'm not suggesting that you were overweight but do you by chance have a CAT scale ticket? It would help make your case if Lippert is claiming you were overweight.

To down the road - how do you figure we were overloaded? We had water in the tanks and a few kitchen supplies in the trailer. We had our clothes and food in the towing vehicle.

WOW! I am so sorry you are having to deal with this. I wonder if you can find protable truck scales somewhere or have it towed to a truck scale. I must tell you, however, if your statement that you could haul 500 lbs. of cargo, and you had 250 lbs. of water on board, you were probably overloaded.

Thank you everyone for you answers. We truly appreciate them.
It is a 2017 Palomino Model 201SS on a Lippert frame. To clarify, when I said hauling water, I meant the fresh water tanks were full because we were going into the mountains for the weekend. Not hauling extra tanks of water inside the trailer. According to the manufacturer, we could haul something like 500# of supplies. The full tank of water was around #250. There was no mention in the owner's manual, or any paperwork for that manner, that says the trailer should not be towed with a full tank. I can guarantee that we did not have that much in there. I know Lippert won't care. I'm just exceedingly frustrated with their response. I will add pictures as soon as I figure out how to. I'm truly bothered by the trailer manufacturer and Lippert's response because this easily could have been a fatal accident if it had happened while travelling at highway speed.

Unfortunately we do not live where I bought the trailer. We have it at the local dealer and they are worthless. They are being punitive since I did not buy the trailer from them. They have told everyone that the frame is just "bent" even though we have pictures and proof that all the welds have failed. Needless to say, we are trying to get the trailer back to the original dealer so that we can get an accurate assessment.

We have had 2 certified welders assess the trailer and although they feel like they could fix it, they have both said that the trailer body needs to come off the frame and the whole frame needs to be inspected and fixed. They are also concerned about the damage that the trailer body sustained from hitting the highway.

We have NHTSA involved and I have talked with insurance. My insurance company wanted me to attempt a fix with the manufacturer first before submitting the claim as they feel it is 100% a manufacturer flaw.

Thank goodness no one was hurt! Very sorry that this happened to you.

Huntindog wrote:
First off. I am sorry about your situation. Some pics, and more detailed info would help.

My present TT has FOUR 42 gallon grey/black tanks, and ONE 42 gallon fresh tank. I routinely travel with them full. And over some really rough roads to boot. We load very heavy as well. We even mounted a 5 cubic ft deep freeze on the rear rack.
We boondock in remote locactions for extended periods. If you don't bring it, you can't realistically get it.

My Lippert frame is VERY stout. The welds are top notch. (I am a welder, so I know what I am looking at)My Lippert frame is VERY stout. The welds are top notch. (I am a welder, so I know what I am looking at)

This is our 3rd TT, and the first Lippert framed one. It is also the only one that I have not needed to weld up some repairs on.

Now, as I have said before many times. Lippert builds what the manufacturer requests. Unfortunantly most of them are into light weight/low cost frames. Sabre paid up for a good frame. A REAL 10" I beam, 1/4" thick.

I am as well, certified in all processes but I prefer TIG. The Lippert frames I've seen leave lots to be desired. Maybe you got a good one, many owners have not.

I see you own a Palomino, so do I but a TC not a TT. Been to Colon many times, I know the plant manager personally and looked at the frames in the storage lot and I didn't see any that were better or worse than the others in storage. Almost all had issues that I saw like cold welds, incomplete beads and poor fitment, especially where the axle perches were welded to the main rails. The addition of proper gusseting would eliminate most of the issues in my view, but then I don't fab them. Like you, I'm an end user.

Jayco254 wrote:
What kind of TT is it and does it really have a Lippert frame are is every body just guessing because of Lippert's previous reputation. I've got a Bal huck and buck type frame it's 11 years old and when I hook it up the tongue bends so the propane tanks almost touch the front wall actually the plastic cover does, but when I unhook it goes back to normal I'm still waiting for it too break. Lippert is not the only company that builds a frame that seems too leave a lot too be desired from customers.

Think I'd be adding some gusseting. Far easier to add material than have it break on the road.

What kind of TT is it and does it really have a Lippert frame are is every body just guessing because of Lippert's previous reputation. I've got a Bal huck and buck type frame it's 11 years old and when I hook it up the tongue bends so the propane tanks almost touch the front wall actually the plastic cover does, but when I unhook it goes back to normal I'm still waiting for it too break. Lippert is not the only company that builds a frame that seems too leave a lot too be desired from customers.