2012 Landmark San Antonio Frame Flexing

[T-Trucker]

Hey you all,any owners of Landmarks having a problem with frame flexing along the bottom of the bedroom and front wall by the front storage compartments? T-Trucker

[edbehnke]

our Montana is flexing on front left side. back to Goshen...we'll see what they can do. and to think we went with the new 12" fame so we wouldn't have this problem.

[kakampers]

pressure_welder wrote:
-kakampers.

That is definatly better than most, although still far from ideal. Theres still no way an Ibeam should be used, especially in that length. a 30ft +/- Ibeam literally becomes like a piece of spaghetti and being severely dynamically loaded the weak flanges/web are able to twist and flex as the origional post has stated. Its a domino effect, once you start flexing/twisting, the horrid welds from the factory eventually fail. or you have the terribly thin material either cause cracking or full out tearing. I have close family friends with a 2012 cougar 30ft, lippert ibeam frame, the rear bumper ripped off and smashed the spare tire through the back of the camper, AND on the same trip, the structure that holds the pinbox completely failed at the welds and crushed there brand new trucks box. When i diagnoised/fixed the pin box for them as they didnt trust the dealer, the structure thats aparently rated to support 16,000lbs according to the sticker on the pinbox was made out of 2"x2"x less than 1/8" thick, and the welds were so bad i took pictures and sent them to Lippert asking how they could sleep at night putting out that quality! I promise i dont mean to sound arrogant, but i wish i could have some of you fellas/ladies in the shop to show you just what i mean.

I understand your concern, but I can tell you our Bighorn was on the same frame, except the newer version in the Landmark has added large gussets supporting the upper deck to reduce flexing, and we put over 80,000 miles on the Bighorn with NO frame or weld issues. We did have a few busted springs and a torn spring hanger (the weld stayed fully intact, the hanger itself tore)...not bad for what we put her through...in our opinion'

[pressure_welder]

-kakampers.

That is definatly better than most, although still far from ideal. Theres still no way an Ibeam should be used, especially in that length. a 30ft +/- Ibeam literally becomes like a piece of spaghetti and being severely dynamically loaded the weak flanges/web are able to twist and flex as the origional post has stated. Its a domino effect, once you start flexing/twisting, the horrid welds from the factory eventually fail. or you have the terribly thin material either cause cracking or full out tearing. I have close family friends with a 2012 cougar 30ft, lippert ibeam frame, the rear bumper ripped off and smashed the spare tire through the back of the camper, AND on the same trip, the structure that holds the pinbox completely failed at the welds and crushed there brand new trucks box. When i diagnoised/fixed the pin box for them as they didnt trust the dealer, the structure thats aparently rated to support 16,000lbs according to the sticker on the pinbox was made out of 2"x2"x less than 1/8" thick, and the welds were so bad i took pictures and sent them to Lippert asking how they could sleep at night putting out that quality! I promise i dont mean to sound arrogant, but i wish i could have some of you fellas/ladies in the shop to show you just what i mean.

[kakampers]

The Landmark frame is 12" and is between 3/16" and 1/4" thick....

[pressure_welder]

being a certified high pressure welder, i look at some of these frames on 40,000 to 100,000$ campers, at camper shows and just about throw up when i see what there sitting on. When i inquire with the salesmen about the horribly inadequate frame he reassures me that its an incredibly strong frame until i tell him i am a welder by trade and he quickly changes the subject or laughs it off. Its unfortunate but now a days i have yet to see a single camper frame made from box structural tubing. Rather these flimsy 10" x 1/8" thick web ibeam frames with welds that look like they've been done by my siberian husky.

Until we find another camper that actually comes out with a quality built frame will keep our triple E topaz luxury touring edition. Canadian made quality, 10" x 2" x 3/16" structural rectangular tubing, with 2"x2"x1/8" crossmembers, a heavier camper yes, but in my opinion if your into the bigger units then you have to pay to play buy the bigger trucks. This "half ton towable"******is a bunch of BS, basically what there saying is, we've comprimised the structural integrity of this camper so you can still just barely pull it with your half ton, now give me 40G. I can tell when i pull our Topaz that its a strong frame because she dosent flex or creek when going over bumps or backing up into a camping spot. Structural tubing has far more torsional stability, the only way to be equivilent would require atleast 10" x 1/4" thick web'd ibeam. Again being a welder by trade, the current state of these new campers is appauling. People look at me funny at camper shows when i crawl underneath first rather than walking in the door to see the cool interiors...

[justlkn]

I noticed some noises in the walls when using the steps in the front bedroom. It is coming from behind the wall at floor level. I think it sounds like something has pulled away. How do you guys know your frame is flexing and is there anyway for me to tell mine is?

[T-Trucker]

Thx,for all the comments.The rig is currently at a RV shop to get it looked at and hopefully Heartland will step up to the plate and do what's right.I realize that out unit is a year and a half old,but it has not been abused and it is not overloaded.I will keep you all updated,Thx,T-Trucker.

[Pete_k]

Ask this question on this forum. http://www.heartlandowners.org/forum.php But our Key Largo has no issue and have not heard of any others with the issues. Also what are you seeing that your going by on its movement.
Pete

[45Ricochet]

Hope you have better luck than this guy. It was under warranty and Thor paid for it but he was like 1000 miles from home :E
That is my number 1 reoccurring nightmare, my frame. So far so good though :B

A must see clicky OP

[kennethwooster]

I've had several units with Lippert frames. The first Quantum looked like beginning Ag. students did the welding. Bought another Quantum in 07 with Mor Ride hitch and also on the axles. Got an urgent call from Fleet wood to get unit to dealer immediately. I did 120 miles away, and left it there for some time. A Lippert man went in and was suppose to change spacing between the axles. Bought were mounted too close. I went on and later more damage. The Lippert guy only moved on of the axles. Thus everything was missed up. My dealer did the work himself, with Mor Rides instructions. Traded for a 2011 Cameo, and now not worried about the frame. Not sure I would look at anything with Lippert.

[kakampers]

Ran our Bighorn with a lippert frame for over 80,000 miles with NO issues, and have a 2013 Landmark without issues. Heartland has built thousands of units, and although there have been some units with frame flex, they are actually few and far between.

Sorry the OP is having problems, but am positive Heartland will make things right....also, don't care who makes it or what it costs, problems can arise on any frame made by man...JMHO.

[RECVEH2005]

This BS is why I paid the bucks to buy a HitchHiker; Young's Welding builds the frame.

Mike

[kakampers]

Have you contacted Heartland directly about your issues?

[sk734]

T-Trucker wrote:
Hey you all,any owners of Landmarks having a problem with frame flexing along the bottom of the bedroom and front wall by the front storage compartments? T-Trucker

What year is your unit?