poor frame design on travel trailer
On our Crossroads Z1 252BH (year 2016), the a-frame/coupler is mounted underneath the main frame rails of the trailer, rather than butted up to the main frame rails...this configuration results in the...
Forum Discussion
Lippert TT frames. I hear fingernails screeching on a blackboard... :M
We're one of the rare owners that have had a complete TT replaced under warranty due to a bad frame. Only a day old when we found the issues. When we took it to a gov't certified inspection facility, one of the things they found was bad welds which the owner said were really poor quality and not done correctly. It looked like welding was done by a one-eyed monkey with one arm tied behind it's back. As I have mentioned before, the owner of the frame & axle shop said it was the worst frame he'd ever seen. Until you've experienced your own frame issues, you can't appreciate how bad they can be. If we were ever to get another TT, it'd be a brand with a BAL frame or a Northwoods product because they build their own frames and get them tested by an independent co. Never a Lippert frame again.
From Lippert's website: We start with strong, durable materials to withstand extreme travel conditions, and every step of our manufacturing process focuses on efficiency and quality. Our products are built and tested to go the extra mile Typical employee comment and this one from this past Dec.: Its one of the dirtiest jobs in the northern Indiana area and the pay sucks. powder coat management is a joke. you have no home life working for this company they literally tell you friday before you leave you gotta work saturday then they tell you that you gotta work 12 from 5 am to 5 pm when you normal work schedule is 7 to 330. not to mention you only get 1 break Who ya gonna believe?
IMO what's needed is regulations covering the design and fabrication of TT frames like say by SAE. The way it is now, TT manufacturers and Lippert can build frames however they want and put whatever weight and length of superstructure they want on a frame and never have to answer to anyone. If it breaks, it's entirely your fault because you loaded too much into it, traveled with something in the holding tanks and/or hit too many potholes.
As to OP's issue, sounds like the answer is simply an axle flip to get more ground clearance as his problem is not uncommon.
We're one of the rare owners that have had a complete TT replaced under warranty due to a bad frame. Only a day old when we found the issues. When we took it to a gov't certified inspection facility, one of the things they found was bad welds which the owner said were really poor quality and not done correctly. It looked like welding was done by a one-eyed monkey with one arm tied behind it's back. As I have mentioned before, the owner of the frame & axle shop said it was the worst frame he'd ever seen. Until you've experienced your own frame issues, you can't appreciate how bad they can be. If we were ever to get another TT, it'd be a brand with a BAL frame or a Northwoods product because they build their own frames and get them tested by an independent co. Never a Lippert frame again.
From Lippert's website: We start with strong, durable materials to withstand extreme travel conditions, and every step of our manufacturing process focuses on efficiency and quality. Our products are built and tested to go the extra mile Typical employee comment and this one from this past Dec.: Its one of the dirtiest jobs in the northern Indiana area and the pay sucks. powder coat management is a joke. you have no home life working for this company they literally tell you friday before you leave you gotta work saturday then they tell you that you gotta work 12 from 5 am to 5 pm when you normal work schedule is 7 to 330. not to mention you only get 1 break Who ya gonna believe?
IMO what's needed is regulations covering the design and fabrication of TT frames like say by SAE. The way it is now, TT manufacturers and Lippert can build frames however they want and put whatever weight and length of superstructure they want on a frame and never have to answer to anyone. If it breaks, it's entirely your fault because you loaded too much into it, traveled with something in the holding tanks and/or hit too many potholes.
As to OP's issue, sounds like the answer is simply an axle flip to get more ground clearance as his problem is not uncommon.
