Lippert frames

Not nearly as bad as they were some years ago.
If I liked a certain trailer that had one, I would still buy it - esp. a travel trailer.

My 2014 Coachmen Freedom Express has a pressed together Lippert frame that has cracked near the rear tires on each side. :M The parent company Forest River has been forced by NHSTA to issue a RECALL for specific models lacking required frame stiffeners. Unfortunately, even though my trailer was built during the time period covered by this recall my particular model is not on the list because it does have these frame stiffeners - yet the frame still cracked. :M For this reason both Coachmen and Lippert denied a claim made by my dealer on my behalf to have this frame repaired ... he's since gone back at them repeatedly and in a recent email says that Lippert has finally now agreed to cover the cost of repair. I'm certainly not happy this Lippert frame has failed and the reasons don't really matter to me but I am now satisfied I'm not being left holding the hook on this. As to the OP's question, my understanding is that newer models now use a different frame that shouldn't exhibit this frame cracking problem that have plagued so many Freedom Express owners. Whether this same improvement has been made to other Coachmen models or other manufacturers' models I couldn't say but if I were in the market for any trailer that had a Lippert frame I'd want to know that it was up to the task.

They not only make frames, but many other parts too.
My trailer has a Lippert frame, motorized awning, motorized slides, motorized tongue jack and motorized stabilizers.


Jack L

Build them cheap, stack them deep and build them with unskilled welders. Recipe for disaster.

SidecarFlip wrote:
Build them cheap, stack them deep and build them with unskilled welders. Recipe for disaster.

Why would you expect anything else, after all YOU asked for it - "you" meaning you and I and all the rest of us who want as much trailer as we can get for as little cost as possible. That's the recipe for disaster. :W

Lippert/LCI may use the cheapest labor available and their goal is to turn out as many widgets (whatever the component is) in the shortest time possible. However, the RV manufacturer writes the specifications for the chassis and suspension. If the manufacturer specs a lighter weight or weaker frame than should be under the trailer, that's what LCI will provide.

Rob

Second Chance wrote:
Lippert/LCI may use the cheapest labor available and their goal is to turn out as many widgets (whatever the component is) in the shortest time possible. However, the RV manufacturer writes the specifications for the chassis and suspension. If the manufacturer specs a lighter weight or weaker frame than should be under the trailer, that's what LCI will provide.

Rob

You are correct but when you personally experience the shell game that happens when you have a frame related issue, and the RV manufacturer refers you to back to Lippert under the "component supplied by others" verbiage in the warranty, then you can make that statement.

gmw photos wrote:
https://www.lci1.com/

Lippert employee feedback. :)

We had a previous TT with a Lippert frame. Found out the day after we got it there were problems with it. One issue was all spring hangers were bent to one side 1/2" or more. Took the TT to a gov't certified inspection facility who said it was the worst frame they'd ever seen, including lots of substandard welding. Lippert initially said "it's within specs". Yeah, to their substandard specs! Photo below shows what can happen to the superstructure from excessive frame flex (I-beams). TT got returned and replaced under warranty.

Lippert frames have various designs and some are worse than others. One design has I-beams made from 3 pieces of 1/8" mild steel welded together that *look* like a "regular" I-beam - very flexible and not recommended (IMHO). Despite what LCI may say, they don't have good quality control and it doesn't seem to have improved.

One thing I think is lacking is industry regulations for trailer frames like from say SAE. As it is now, Lippert can put whatever weight and length they want on a particular frame design nor do they have to meet any welding standards. Axles and tires can be loaded up to near capacity ratings and lead to things like bent axles and premature tire failures. If a frame fails, it's normally the customer that is blamed for overloading it. Worst case I ever heard of was a Lippert frame that folded like a pretzel at the axle location.

Some manufacturers like Jayco and Lance use BAL frames which uses a special type of rivet and has almost no welding. Northwood uses an in-house built frame on all their model lines which is independently certified to off-road standards and is a very good frame.

Lippert has been building garbage for many, many years now, and there failures are well documented. I wouldn't buy anything they build, I've seen better welds from teenagers.