Lifestyle Fifth Wheel/ Steel Frame

[anaroll123]

Any comments or knowledge would be appreciated! We are buying our first fifth wheel. We are full timing 5 to 8 years. Putting on approx. 7 thousand travel miles each year touring the country and the rest we will be parked. Using a one tone desiel to pull. My question is this. In searching for our rig, we have looked at Forest River Cedar Creek, Keystone Alpine, and yesterday we found a new breed called the Lifestyle. Lifestyle bought Carriage. I toured the manufacturing plant and they showed me that it is built on a SOLID steel frame and showed me how the other fifth wheels are built. How can it be that this is the only steel frame out there. We are talking head to toe steel frame. The man of course selling his product was quit biase however he made great points on the construction and durablity. The weight actually is not an issue either. So how is it that so many other companies can get buy with less? The man explained to me, if i am going full time for that long i need this base structure, Help, now i am really confused. thanks

[pcm1959]

I know there are a number of folks that have had frame issues....one guy I recall with a Cougar was almost a disaster. At any rate, it seems some have been lucky enough to have the insurance company pick up the tab (provided not under warranty). However, I'm surprised at that especially if no accident was involved.
Also, how would not find a good, reputable welding shop to do such work....especially since "body work" would be involved due to removing fiberglass, etc. Phillip

[TXiceman]

hook47, We had two Cameo trailers, with the stacked frame. The last one was a 2012 (toward the end of their production. We had to have $2700 worth of repairs to the front overhang due to flexing on the left side. After this repair, the right side was showing signs of a little flexing.

So putting a stiff frame under the lower portion does no good unless you also, have the front part of the frame beefed up as well. The front part of the frame receives more stress.

Ken

[hook47]

TXiceman, wish you hadn’t posted that link to the new model DRV’s. Now I want a newer model! About the frame issues, the DRV models I referred to, MS & ES, are built on a 15” triple stacked frame as described in the brochure at your link and as I have stated. The part of the overall unit that goes up vertically from the front of the frame and ends up with the pin box is not triple stacked. If you check the links I’ve provided, it shows similar construction of various other manufacturers. You have the “frame” then you have the other extension of that frame that has the kick up for the basement area and pinbox. In other words, it appears that the standard method of construction is an overall undercarriage that is formed in 2 segments: the horizontal frame that the suspension is mounted to (15” triple stacked DRV frame) and the box that attaches to it which forms the frame for the basement and pinbox. Didn’t really notice the 3” stub frame you mentioned.

DRV

I found it very interesting that some of the frames that are held in high regards, such as Youngs Welding, look less robust than the Lippert built DRV frame. This isn’t to say they aren’t strong frames or good RV’s and from what I have found they all basically follow the same construction pattern.

To Norsky, never said DRV’s haven’t had any frame issues. In fact I did say they probably have but I can’t recall any posts on the Suite Owners website and we are pretty vocal about issues. Yes, many rv’ers aren’t on forums and even if they are wish not to post about their issues.

One of the bits of information I find interesting is the listed GVWR of various 5ers. My MS is listed at 18.5K but as I said in a previous post, DRV said I can go to the GVWR of the same model ES, 20K. My rig empty is around 16K which is the GVWR I see on other brands of the same approximate length. The weight has to be due to other than the frig, A/C, water heater, etc.

I think the consensus of opinions indicate that if the manufacturer of the 5er specs the frame appropriately and the owner/user operates it in the manner for which is was designed/spec’d it should provide a long mostly trouble free life. As we all know, stuff happens and some will have problems even with a properly spec’d, constructed and used rv.

Hope I haven’t highjacked this post; to the OP, I do like some of the floor plans of the Lifesyle. Most of us tend to like the rig we have and I am sure with research and the ability to look at actual rigs you will find one that suits you and with a bit of TLC will last many years and miles. Enjoy.

Carriage


Youngs Welding

New Horizons

New Horizons


On edit, my apology to TXiceman; I enlarged the picture of the frame in the link and I guess the 3" part you mentioned is the bottom section that seems to be running the length of the "frame". Will go look at mine to see. Still stand by the rest of my posts but perhaps understand where the 3" comes from...

[Cummins12V98]

Not doubting his story but pictures would have been nice.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

for all the DRV/Mobile Suites owners that posted here:

Broken frame Mobile Suites

Mind you, it is the only one I have ever heard of here. But, since we are such a small minority of RV'ers here, compared to the vast majority who are not even members here, I am sure there are just a plethora of RV problems that have never ever been mentioned here.

[drillking]

Have owned our Lifestyle for over a year now. Very happy with it. Nice ans solid. We full time and have for 5 years now. We studied hard and visited many factories before buying Lifestyle. Don't regret it yet!

[TXiceman]

hool47, look at page 28 of the following MS/ES brochure. It shows a typical frame.
http://www.kansasrvcenter.com/common/brochures/mak8882.pdf

The triple stack you speak so highly of is only the main frame n the back. The forward frame does not have the three piece stack.

I am a retired mechanical engineer and did get involved in welding. Some oef the welding I saw looked like a mud-dobber stuck it together. It was obvious that some of the weld did not penetrate.

Ken

[retispcsi]

I have a Cedar Creek which has a Lippert frame. The frame crack and cost the insurance company 10k to repair. The repairs were done over and above making the area around the pin box better then factory new. I looked at Carriage then at Lifestyle. Great product and yes the frame is super and made in house. Then looked at Excel even went to their plant in Kansas. They make their own in house frame and it is a very good product. Looked at MS and yes their frame is made by Kippers. However I never could find anything negative about their frame. It is massive. Redwood Landmark and others all use basically the same 12 in. I beam cookie cutter frame. Is it bad I don't know. Frame failures are not as prevalent as a few years ago. Anyway after looking at the construction, floor plans and history I picked one to buy. LIfestyle is the same size as the Cameo and as full timers none of their floor plans met our needs. Excel came real close. Great build and factory support. We ordered a MS because one they had the floor plan that fits our needs. Their construction is as good or better then any of the top of the line fivers and they have good customer support. The price point must be considered also. Both Excel and MS when optioned out nicely will tip the scales at 150k or more retail. Good luck with your search.

[larry_barnhart]

It seems like the complaints were in the weld looking like a carpenter did the work. I have seen poor looking welds on some fifths that are in our winter rv park for display on special events. I am a carpenter "so I don't know" if looks is important but good welds do look good I think.

As ib516 about his welds and Lippert frame and metal thickness. I don't think he has forgotten his experience.

chevman

[hook47]

TXiceman, not sure where you find your information on DRV frames, those on the MS and ES which I referenced, not the Tradition, those are 15” triple boxed. You might want to view the video at:MS&ES Frames

I am not sure where this stub frame is but if you have a reference for me I’d be interested in seeing it. Oh, wait. I’ll just go out to mine and look at the 15” triple boxed frame that you can plainly see running the full length.

I know a lot of folks don't like Lippert, their choice. A lot of people say Lippert builds to the specs that the manufacturer wants. Not sure why some people feel that if someone other than Lippert builds the frame to specs the manufacturer wants that it won't have some problems. As far as DRV frame issues, I'm sure there have been some. I can't recall specific posts, maybe you have a reference for that also. I have read most of the posts on the SOITC (Suite Owners) forum and if there was any issues of the frame, I can't recall. Not that that is a guarantee, I sometimes don't remember why I walked into a room!

[dapperdan]

anaroll123 wrote:
Any comments or knowledge would be appreciated! We are buying our first fifth wheel. We are full timing 5 to 8 years. Putting on approx. 7 thousand travel miles each year touring the country and the rest we will be parked. Using a one tone desiel to pull. My question is this. In searching for our rig, we have looked at Forest River Cedar Creek, Keystone Alpine, and yesterday we found a new breed called the Lifestyle. Lifestyle bought Carriage. I toured the manufacturing plant and they showed me that it is built on a SOLID steel frame and showed me how the other fifth wheels are built. How can it be that this is the only steel frame out there. We are talking head to toe steel frame. The man of course selling his product was quit biase however he made great points on the construction and durablity. The weight actually is not an issue either. So how is it that so many other companies can get buy with less? The man explained to me, if i am going full time for that long i need this base structure, Help, now i am really confused. thanks

I would take the time and do some more research. Take a few more plant tours, look at what some of these Mfg's you mentioned use and how they build their RV. Of course they're all going to be biased towards their product but the thing is look at how they're being built. Do the various Mfg's meet YOUR expectations? Asking questions on here is a great start but you really need to see for yourself.

I was pretty impressed with the tour we took a few years ago at the Montana plant, we already had a Montana but I just wanted to see how they went together. Early this spring my wife and I took a tour at the DRV plant, that was an eye opener. I can tell you from my our observation the build between the two wasn't even close, of course neither was the price! But I'm learning "you get what you pay for".

IMHO the best advice would be to go to several campgrounds/RV resorts and ask owners (face to face) what they like about their units and what they DON"T like about their units, you should be able to make an assessment after that sort of research.

Good luck and don't be in a rush, this purchase will be one of the your biggest , do it right the first time.

Dan

[Cummins12V98]

kennethwooster wrote:
I have a 2011 Cameo, and my next unit will be the Lifestyle. NO doubt there, as I have had to trailers with Lippert frame. Both were 38.5 ft long, and both had a ton of problems. 1st one looked like 1st Ag. students when they were learning to weld. Rusty and just junky. Next one had several problems that were just poor frame design. Finally had to fix it on my own design. We have been looking at Lifestyle, and plan to buy around 38'. We bought the truck this year, and maybe next year the trailer. Could be our last purchase. Do no buy Lippert frames.

So your 38.5' RV's were DRV's?

Nothing is perfect but there are really no DRV's that have had problems to speak of.

Lippert builds to what the MFG wants. Most want light and cheap!

DRV's tripple stacked frame is he!! for stout.

[kennethwooster]

I have a 2011 Cameo, and my next unit will be the Lifestyle. NO doubt there, as I have had to trailers with Lippert frame. Both were 38.5 ft long, and both had a ton of problems. 1st one looked like 1st Ag. students when they were learning to weld. Rusty and just junky. Next one had several problems that were just poor frame design. Finally had to fix it on my own design. We have been looking at Lifestyle, and plan to buy around 38'. We bought the truck this year, and maybe next year the trailer. Could be our last purchase. Do no buy Lippert frames.

[TXiceman]

hook47, I did not include the 3" high sub frame that MS adds in areas. If you look closely at the diagrams, the 3" is not over the full length. Mobil and Elite use this frame construction. Th Tradition is built to a lower price point.

Lifestyle uses a similar construction for the frame with a stacked frame construction.

I wish DRV would find another frame supplier. From the QC at Lippert, they can still take a well designed frame and due to poor QC build a poor product. I looked at one 2015 Mobil Suited recently and saw some really poor welding.

Ken