Lippert frame reinforcements Jayco & Crossroads OEM

[Snowman9000]

We toured the plant where Jayco builds their big Pinnacles and toyhaulers. I snapped some phone photos of the reinforcing on a Lippert frame for a big unit. I think it was for a TH. Maybe it will give people ideas on their own DIY strengthening.





By contrast, this what I saw when we toured the Crossroads factory this spring. The frame may have been for a slightly smaller fiver, but not much smaller if any.


Following shots are of a rear hitch receiver mounting at Crossroads. The hitch is rated for 3000/300.




Apparently I didn't photo a hitch mounting at Jayco.'
:S

[JIMNLIN]

Us out West wrote:
I would think ALL manufactures inspect/reject all out sourced products.

Many companies set up a outside sourse for parts/assemblies fabrication. The sourse is given the engineering specs to fab the part. After completing the first article the company sends a inspector to buy or reject the first part. Once the first part is bought no other parts are inspected after they arrive at the assembly plant. If down the line assembly finds the parts are bad and don't fit up the assy line workers are rtequired to fix the parts or fix around so the line doesn't shut down.
This is called "first time buyoff". This is how our aircraft companies works nowdays. I would assume a RV manufacturer are no different.

[gmcsmoke]

I wonder how many crappy welds we'd find if we took apart our TV's?

[bad99ram]

Snowman9000 wrote:

Willcamp4 wrote:
I'm surprised that Jayco is now selling trailers with frames from Lippert. It used to be one of their bragging rights. This is all my opinion, of course.

I also was disappointed. Another thing they used to brag about was using Goodyear tires. Although there were a lot of bad stories here about them anyway. But currently they are using Tow Max Power Kings. They also use the Schwintek slides which a lot of people are reporting as troublesome. From what I saw, they have adopted most of the common construction components and techniques as others. But...

Jayco runs a clean, well-organized factory and does seem to have a good grip on QC. They do a high pressure rain test on about 2 out of every ten units. They do a full pseudo-camping test of all systems on about 4 of 10 units, IIRC. They have a very good reputation for customer care, the one case here of stuff under a guy's roof notwithstanding. Their frame is beefed up compared to the run of the mill Lippert. I would still consider them in the future, myself.

As a side note, we just go back from our first trip with our cheap little MH. (We still have our fiver too.) It was quite refreshing to be able to drive without worrying about my running gear falling apart.
🙂

Good write up lots of info. They must have changed up tires recently as my 2013 has goodyears on it. Thanks for posting

[Snowman9000]

Willcamp4 wrote:
I'm surprised that Jayco is now selling trailers with frames from Lippert. It used to be one of their bragging rights. This is all my opinion, of course.

I also was disappointed. Another thing they used to brag about was using Goodyear tires. Although there were a lot of bad stories here about them anyway. But currently they are using Tow Max Power Kings. They also use the Schwintek slides which a lot of people are reporting as troublesome. From what I saw, they have adopted most of the common construction components and techniques as others. But...

Jayco runs a clean, well-organized factory and does seem to have a good grip on QC. They do a high pressure rain test on about 2 out of every ten units. They do a full pseudo-camping test of all systems on about 4 of 10 units, IIRC. They have a very good reputation for customer care, the one case here of stuff under a guy's roof notwithstanding. Their frame is beefed up compared to the run of the mill Lippert. I would still consider them in the future, myself.

As a side note, we just go back from our first trip with our cheap little MH. (We still have our fiver too.) It was quite refreshing to be able to drive without worrying about my running gear falling apart.
🙂

[gitane59]

jimmyfred wrote:
..........The thing is , IF they would use stronger , thicker metal in their spring hangers they wouldn't have to reinforce them ! My T.Supreme weighs 13,220 empty and has NO reinforcements on the hangers , at all ! , jf

Thank you. Same with my Newmar, quality built.
You took the words right out of my keyboard. Lippert must be owned by Disney. Mickey Mouse, that's what that mess of braces and angle iron looks like.

Too bad most all the quality builder's have disappeared. Once again the lowest priced, cheapest crap, highest production number manufacturing wins out.

Fifthwheel manufacturing methods is one reason I am leaning towards a Class A MH as my next RV.
Total cost of a capable TV and a New Horizon fiver just about equals cost of a quality high end diesel Class A

[LostinAZ]

I'm coming to the conclusion that general RV quality is getting worse rather than getting better. I'm really discouraged.

[Willcamp4]

Answers that. I'm keeping my current trailer. I am tired of what I have seen coming from Lippert, and everyone seems to be using their frames and equipment. They even make electric awnings for RVs. When my neighbor was picking up his brand new trailer that had a Lippert awning, they rolled out the awning and there was no auto stop point. The awning started rolling itself up inside out. What junk. Another friend was towing his Presidential a few weeks ago when one of the axles came loose. Three of the four fixed spring hangers on the trailer were broken loose or had cracked welds. When contacted Lippert said talk to Holiday Rambler (Presidential is out of business?). We make the frames to the specs the trailer manufacturer sets. They seem to take no responsibility for their own actions. If they did they would refuse to sell any product to anyone that is not high quality. I'm surprised that Jayco is now selling trailers with frames from Lippert. It used to be one of their bragging rights. This is all my opinion, of course.

[Us_out_West]

laknox wrote:

routeforty wrote:

Snowman9000 wrote:

gmcsmoke wrote:
I didn't think Jayco used lippert frames

Me too. Well, they do now.
Leland Frame was sold to Dexter. Dexter sold their frame business (maybe more) to Lippert.

Correct. Just toured the Jayco factory 2 wks ago and asked this question. Was told they now use Lippert, but they are made to Jayco's specs.

So? Will Jayco actually inspect and/or reject frames with crappy welds? Got some beach front property in Gila Bend for sale, if you do.

Lyle

Why so condensing Lyle?

Geez!!! Get a grip!!!

[Snowman9000]

CKNSLS wrote:

ChopperBill wrote:
Oh my goodness! Lippert on a Jayco. Now the Lippert haters have one less option when trailer hunting. :S

+1 Also, that's a good public relations line...."the frames are made to Jayco's specs". Yea, out of hundreds if not thousands of frames they make, they are going to make a few special ones....and keep the price point the same?

OK.............

How do you know the price point is the same?
Did you see the differences between the Jayco and Crossroads Lippert frames?

I guess I figured the thread would turn bad. I just wanted to show how one manufacturer, Jayco, has had Lippert build a stronger frame for them. I think it shows a good fix for what had been a weak area.

[Us_out_West]

I would think ALL manufactures inspect/reject all out sourced products.

[laknox]

routeforty wrote:

Snowman9000 wrote:

gmcsmoke wrote:
I didn't think Jayco used lippert frames

Me too. Well, they do now.
Leland Frame was sold to Dexter. Dexter sold their frame business (maybe more) to Lippert.

Correct. Just toured the Jayco factory 2 wks ago and asked this question. Was told they now use Lippert, but they are made to Jayco's specs.

So? Will Jayco actually inspect and/or reject frames with crappy welds? Got some beach front property in Gila Bend for sale, if you do.

Lyle

[CKNSLS]

ChopperBill wrote:
Oh my goodness! Lippert on a Jayco. Now the Lippert haters have one less option when trailer hunting. :S

+1 Also, that's a good public relations line...."the frames are made to Jayco's specs". Yea, out of hundreds if not thousands of frames they make, they are going to make a few special ones....and keep the price point the same?

OK.............

[FlatBroke]

Oh my goodness! Lippert on a Jayco. Now the Lippert haters have one less option when trailer hunting. :S

[routeforty]

Snowman9000 wrote:

gmcsmoke wrote:
I didn't think Jayco used lippert frames

Me too. Well, they do now.
Leland Frame was sold to Dexter. Dexter sold their frame business (maybe more) to Lippert.

Correct. Just toured the Jayco factory 2 wks ago and asked this question. Was told they now use Lippert, but they are made to Jayco's specs.

[RedG]

whporwil wrote:
I have those same gussets on my 2008 Designer.

My 2008 Designer has a boxed frame, not beams.