Lippert frames
Been towing for 30 years, but never heard of a Lippert frame. Seems like most of the comments are negative.
So, what is a Lippert frame?
So, what is a Lippert frame?
Forum Discussion
71 Replies
SoundGuy wrote:
SoundGuy wrote:
My 2014 Coachmen Freedom Express has a pressed together Lippert frame that has cracked near the rear tires on each side. :M
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.GrandpaKip wrote:
If you truly believe this, then why in the world do you keep recommending this trailer?
Surely this is self explanatory! :S
My apologies. However, your understanding is just that (an opinion). If you had stated when, where and what Coachmen had done, that would be fine for all the trailers that have been constructed since then. But the fact still remains that you have touted this trailer many times without caveat.
As I see it, the main concern would be with new members of this forum looking at used trailers. With your recommendation, they might be led to believe this is a great camper. A problem with cracked frames should eliminate this trailer from any consideration.SoundGuy wrote:
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
X2 on this. in general the public who buy these products want cheaper prices on everything . in the manufacturing industry no matter what it is. appliances, autos, rv's the factors going into the retail price involve are complex but material cost, labor,advertising, warranty coverages are what sets the prices.- Just a guess here, I will admit, but the idea of lippert manufacturing their own steel is almost zero. Structural metals comes from mills that cost hundreds of millions of dollars to build.
I just looked online and found 12" rolled beams for sale, and the spec of the material thickness is .232", so yes, 'dogs measurement of 1/4" ( .250" ) would be within twenty thousandths. Sounds right to me.
As I stated earlier, the 6" beam under this 19' trailer I am in right now has a material thickness of approx 1/8" ( .125" ). Seems reasonable to me. drsteve wrote:
The 2018 Coachmen in my sig has plenty of shoddy workmanship, the most serious being a floor that flexes and makes loud cracking sounds when walked on in front of the stove.
I seem to recall already suggesting a solution for this ... the cause isn't so much the floor itself but the fact that as you walk near the galley the galley frame moves ever so slightly against the floor, sometimes a bit more noticeable than other times depending on exterior ambient temperatures. The solution is to simply secure the galley frame to the floor with more screws, in my case coarse thread deck screws - stop the movement and you'll stop the "cracking" sounds. Worked for me. :BRalph Cramden wrote:
goducks10 wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
goducks10 wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
My present TT has a Lippert frame. It is by far the best frame I have had under any of my TTs.
10" tall real I beam (not welded) 1/4" thick.
The welds are top notch, and the frame is powder coated.
Lippert gets a bad rap here, but my frame is proof that they can put a good frame under a TT, if the manufacturer is willing to pay for it.
I had a out of warranty problem with the Lippert sealed bearing axles my TT came with. Lippert had discontinued those axles, but made me a very fair offer to get both axles replaced.
They could have easily weaseled on me, but they stood up and did the right thing.
I know I may be a rare bird here.... But I am a Lippert fan
I highly doubt the web is 1/4" thick. If so that TT would weigh way too much.
The flanges would be 1/4" where they meet the web.
Just curious what TT do you have?
2010 Palomino Sabre. 30BHDS
The web and flanges measure 1/4 thick.
I am not set up to post pics. I do have pics of my frame on the factory floor. from when I toured the factory after picking it up.
Jbarca has seen them.
I don't BS about this sort of thing.
Well thats impressive.
I don't doubt the 10" with 1/4" inch flange and web thickness. I do however doubt it's rolled and not a machine welded / fabricated shape. The only 10" rolled shapes I am aware of that could be used in a trailer frame application would be an S10x25.4 or S10x35. Neither of those have a 1/4" thickness anywhere. The lighter 25.4 has roughly a 1/2" flange and a 3/8" web.
I know there are some 3 piece welded frames. The one that a picture was posted of last page and every trailer I have owned are rolled steel I beam. No weld is smooth and a machine weld looks like a perfect stack of dimes. These I beams are perfectly smooth/tooled not welded at the web/flange.
You say the only beams you know of are such and such. You ever think Lippert a chassis mfg might have their own tooling machine to make I beam out of thinner steel...just by chance?- [img]
Click For Full-Size Image. width=300[/img]
I have lots of pics. This one clearly shows it is NOT a welded beam.
I did not take any that will "prove" how thick it is. That was not the purpose of these pics taken 8-9 years ago. I have however measured them with a dial caliper a year or so ago, when Jbarca and I were discussing frames, and how they work. Ralph Cramden wrote:
I do not know what "rolled" means. I DO know what welded looks like. I have seen that on many TTs.goducks10 wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
goducks10 wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
My present TT has a Lippert frame. It is by far the best frame I have had under any of my TTs.
10" tall real I beam (not welded) 1/4" thick.
The welds are top notch, and the frame is powder coated.
Lippert gets a bad rap here, but my frame is proof that they can put a good frame under a TT, if the manufacturer is willing to pay for it.
I had a out of warranty problem with the Lippert sealed bearing axles my TT came with. Lippert had discontinued those axles, but made me a very fair offer to get both axles replaced.
They could have easily weaseled on me, but they stood up and did the right thing.
I know I may be a rare bird here.... But I am a Lippert fan
I highly doubt the web is 1/4" thick. If so that TT would weigh way too much.
The flanges would be 1/4" where they meet the web.
Just curious what TT do you have?
2010 Palomino Sabre. 30BHDS
The web and flanges measure 1/4 thick.
I am not set up to post pics. I do have pics of my frame on the factory floor. from when I toured the factory after picking it up.
Jbarca has seen them.
I don't BS about this sort of thing.
Well thats impressive.
I don't doubt the 10" with 1/4" inch flange and web thickness. I do however doubt it's rolled and not a machine welded / fabricated shape. The only 10" rolled shapes I am aware of that could be used in a trailer frame application would be an S10x25.4 or S10x35. Neither of those have a 1/4" thickness anywhere. The lighter 25.4 has roughly a 1/2" flange and a 3/8" web.
I DO NOT have a welded frame rail frame.
It is what I consider to be a "normal" I beam.goducks10 wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
goducks10 wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
My present TT has a Lippert frame. It is by far the best frame I have had under any of my TTs.
10" tall real I beam (not welded) 1/4" thick.
The welds are top notch, and the frame is powder coated.
Lippert gets a bad rap here, but my frame is proof that they can put a good frame under a TT, if the manufacturer is willing to pay for it.
I had a out of warranty problem with the Lippert sealed bearing axles my TT came with. Lippert had discontinued those axles, but made me a very fair offer to get both axles replaced.
They could have easily weaseled on me, but they stood up and did the right thing.
I know I may be a rare bird here.... But I am a Lippert fan
I highly doubt the web is 1/4" thick. If so that TT would weigh way too much.
The flanges would be 1/4" where they meet the web.
Just curious what TT do you have?
2010 Palomino Sabre. 30BHDS
The web and flanges measure 1/4 thick.
I am not set up to post pics. I do have pics of my frame on the factory floor. from when I toured the factory after picking it up.
Jbarca has seen them.
I don't BS about this sort of thing.
Well thats impressive.
I don't doubt the 10" with 1/4" inch flange and web thickness. I do however doubt it's rolled and not a machine welded / fabricated shape. The only 10" rolled shapes I am aware of that could be used in a trailer frame application would be an S10x25.4 or S10x35. Neither of those have a 1/4" thickness anywhere. The lighter 25.4 has roughly a 1/2" flange and a 3/8" web.- Whoa, I started a landslide, 'preciate the comments though. So, I have an '05 TrailCruiser, would that have a Lippert Frame? Seems pretty skoocum. How do you tell, do they put there name on it?
gmw photos wrote:
GrandpaKip wrote:
....snip...
If you truly believe this, then why in the world do you keep recommending this trailer?
Because some people have to try to convince others they are never wrong ?
"Listen to me, I am the truth, the light, and others will lead you astray"
Kip, a certain poster here has stated that yours truly is trying to lead others astray into dangerous territory. Oh my.
HAHAHAHAHA.........NAILED IT!!!
