We have had problems with the Bighorn from the first week we bought it in 2008. We have had problems getting Heartland to work with us to make repairs. Our most recent misadventure involved what looks like a bent or broken frame with which the trailer is towed. It is currently in a shop in Portland, Oregon, 1000 miles from our home in California. We were told not to drive it any longer until it was repaired. We have had some of the problems others have had with the Bighorn, including cracks in the bedroom slide, un-level flooring in the bedroom, improper ducting of the HVAC unit, the bottom rung of the ladder breaking off, the microwave oven slipping out of its position, poor fill whole for water that will not allow enough air to keep it from backing up, etc. We have traveled a great deal in our unit. Has anyone else experienced these difficulties with a Bighorn and did Heartland make good on their product?

Well, your rig has a Lippert made frame, you will find similar issues posted in every forum (this one, the dedicated Bighorn forum, etc) where owners of said frames come to commiserate about their frame issues.Lippert recently made a big deal about how all the welders in one of their divisions where all -now- certified (which means they weren't before, but where still making frames)

I had a 2007 Heartland Sundance that I bought used in 2010.Had the same issue with the water fill. Kitchen dinette slide floor came detached from the walls. Uneven floor in the living room. Delamination at the right rear. Frame cracks aroung the pin box structure.Unfortunately it was out of warranty. Heartland is off my list of manufacturers whom I will purchase a product from.

All of these mentioned problems, specially the cracked frames due to chit welding and too thin gauge material is the reason I got asked to not post on the Heartland forum. Member after member came on complaing of the same problems, cracked frames at the king pin, water leaks and almost everyone had bad front jacks. I came back a couple of years later and .... same old problems so I asked WHY hadn't Heartland and Lippert got thier act together and fix the damn problems. Got a rather curt message from the mod. telling me that you can't post like that........oh well, you couldn't give me a Heartland product. Hopefully some folks are happy with thiers......Dave

CYNCWBY wrote:All of these mentioned problems, specially the cracked frames due to chit welding and too thin gauge material is the reason I got asked to not post on the Heartland forum. Member after member came on complaing of the same problems, cracked frames at the king pin, water leaks and almost everyone had bad front jacks. I came back a couple of years later and .... same old problems so I asked WHY hadn't Heartland and Lippert got thier act together and fix the damn problems. Got a rather curt message from the mod. telling me that you can't post like that........oh well, you couldn't give me a Heartland product. Hopefully some folks are happy with thiers......Dave I have a Heartland product. I don't have any cracked frame issues, no leaks, no bad front jacks...I'm not everyone but I'm part of everyone. I'm wondering who the "everyone" is that you talked to? I'm very active on the Heartland forum and I see very few posts regarding these issues. I also camp with lots of Heartland owners at several of their rallies...almost "everyone" hasn't been there either...Are you sure you know this for a fact??B.O.

We had a Landmark next to us in Pendleton, OR last month with similar problems.Beautifull rig but he told of front landing gear problems and Heartland gave up on trying to fix. While we were talking outside we heard a noise from the landing gear area and he said that's what I'm talking about. He said it does that all the time...just sitting there.He said one more try to fix and if not it's history.To bad...again nice looking rig.

Bighorn 5th wheel frame problems | Good Sam Community

Vulcaneer
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
Not that this is on topic but....when I was in Goshen, IN we saw the Lippert Corp offices and several plants. What many do not know is there are many Lippert frame plants. Generally each plant manufactures frames for only a few dedicated customers. For example plant number 48 makes frames for RV builder X, Y, and Z. While another plant makes frames for RV Builders A, B, C. and so forth. Each plant is managed individually. And while their function is very similar, they can have different processes, management goals, and hiring standards, etc.

We were told that our frame was made at one of the few plants that has had NO personnel turnover in the past two years. I am not saying that is true. Just saying that is what we were told.

I can also post that when driving through a few of their frame storage yards, we saw thousands of 5'r frames. All but the bottom of each stack were without wheels and suspension. All welds and gusseting looked terrific. And the designs looked well thought out, with beam spacing and materials. There might have been some with poor welds, but after looking closely at many frames, I never saw one bad one on the storage lots.

Not that this information helps anyone that has frame problems. But just thought it interesting.
cabanaman
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
No heartland here but I do have a lippert frame and a large 5er. It is almost 7 years old and on its 6th trip across country.I keep an eye on the frame because of these complaints and so far it is flawless.I did add an moryde X member and wet bolt kit a couple years ago just as insurance.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Aug 06, 2013
Vulcaneer wrote:
Bearcattravellers wrote:
We have had problems with the Bighorn from the first week we bought it in 2008. We have had problems getting Heartland to work with us to make repairs. Our most recent misadventure involved what looks like a bent or broken frame with which the trailer is towed.

I doubt your manufacturer is going to help you at this point. The trailer is 5 years old. And 4 years out of warranty.

In my experience, it is best not to worry about such things at your stage of the situation. Just find someone to fix it right. Pay them. And get on with your life.

When it is time for a replacement, you'll know what to do. Buy another Heartland, or another brand?

That is not necessarily true. I would file a claim with both Heartland and Lippert, and go to Safecar site and file with NTHSA. Lippert has been paying for all or part of frame issues for many way past warranty.

Chris
Vulcaneer
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
Bearcattravellers wrote:
We have had problems with the Bighorn from the first week we bought it in 2008. We have had problems getting Heartland to work with us to make repairs. Our most recent misadventure involved what looks like a bent or broken frame with which the trailer is towed.

I doubt your manufacturer is going to help you at this point. The trailer is 5 years old. And 4 years out of warranty.

In my experience, it is best not to worry about such things at your stage of the situation. Just find someone to fix it right. Pay them. And get on with your life.

When it is time for a replacement, you'll know what to do. Buy another Heartland, or another brand?
cummins2014
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
B.O. Plenty wrote:
CYNCWBY wrote:
All of these mentioned problems, specially the cracked frames due to chit welding and too thin gauge material is the reason I got asked to not post on the Heartland forum. Member after member came on complaing of the same problems, cracked frames at the king pin, water leaks and almost everyone had bad front jacks.

I came back a couple of years later and .... same old problems so I asked WHY hadn't Heartland and Lippert got thier act together and fix the damn problems. Got a rather curt message from the mod. telling me that you can't post like that........oh well, you couldn't give me a Heartland product. Hopefully some folks are happy with thiers......Dave
I have a Heartland product. I don't have any cracked frame issues, no leaks, no bad front jacks...I'm not everyone but I'm part of everyone. I'm wondering who the "everyone" is that you talked to? I'm very active on the Heartland forum and I see very few posts regarding these issues. I also camp with lots of Heartland owners at several of their rallies...almost "everyone" hasn't been there either...Are you sure you know this for a fact??

This the usual theme, we also have a couple guys on this forum that beat the Montana fifth wheel to death, and of course talked to many that have the same problems, then there are the many that have no big issues with the fifth wheel. This will always be the case. You are always going to have some on a crusade against about anything they purchase.

.
FlatBroke
Explorer II
Aug 06, 2013
Yep,OP had it 5 years and his first post is about problems. If he contacted Heartland he must of used the wrong phone number. Seems to me he didnt try too hard. I had 2 Bighorns and have had none of those problems.
sljkansas
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
I have a 09 and haven't had any major problems with mine. I did have a water line fitting that was leaking when I bought it, and the dealer came out to the campsite and fixed it. The 1/2 time micro died and was covered by warranty. Other wise we are very pleased with our Big Horn.
kakampers
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
Us out West wrote:
We had a Landmark next to us in Pendleton, OR last month with similar problems.

Beautifull rig but he told of front landing gear problems and Heartland gave up on trying to fix. While we were talking outside we heard a noise from the landing gear area and he said that's what I'm talking about. He said it does that all the time...just sitting there.

He said one more try to fix and if not it's history.

To bad...again nice looking rig.

Heartland and Lippert have worked together to fix the "popping" issue...the addition of a anti-stiction fluid to the hydraulic fluid such as Torg 15 (sic) has solved the problem and a bulletin has been issued by Lippert.
lakeside013104
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
I have a Bighorn. Minor issues that were fixed at my home by the dealer serviceman. I had a sensor issue with the NORCOL fridge. The part was shipped to my home by overnight shipping at no cost to me. In my book that is really good customer service. 100% satisfied with Heartland and my local dealer. Enough said.

Lakeside
Us_out_West
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
We had a Landmark next to us in Pendleton, OR last month with similar problems.

Beautifull rig but he told of front landing gear problems and Heartland gave up on trying to fix. While we were talking outside we heard a noise from the landing gear area and he said that's what I'm talking about. He said it does that all the time...just sitting there.

He said one more try to fix and if not it's history.

To bad...again nice looking rig.