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Bentframe's avatar
Bentframe
Explorer
Mar 06, 2017

2015 Cruiser Viewfinder Signature 28bhob bent frame

I have a 2015 Cruiser Viewfinder Signature 28bhob. After returning from the beach I noticed a hump over the axles which caused the trim on the bottom of the kitchen slide out to rip off when I let the slide out. Come to find out both I beams have bent down at the axles to the rear and the beams have twisted at the spring hangers. Also the back half of the camper has shifted t the right. There's is very little to no crown in the two 3500lbs axles. One spring pack is damaged with the possibility of the others being damaged.
Progressive Ins denied my claim and I am stuck with a major fix if not totoled out camper.
The camper has never been in any type accident. The damage is from the rough road we traveled to the beach.
Has anyone had this issue with this camper or one like it a year or two older or newer?
Cruiser will not do anything about it. And so far Lippert will not do anything about it. Progressive says it is a manufacture defect.
  • The damage is caused by poor design and lightweight materials. Hire a lawyer and go after the manufacturer.
  • Sorry to hear that. We had a serious frame issue on a previous TT that ended up in it being replaced under warranty. We got lucky. Lippert initally said the TT was "within spec"...

    Lippert will always say that it's your fault because you overloaded it. Have you ever weighed it? Specs say it is 31.4' with 7545 lb GVWR. If 3500 lb axles, they're close to being maxed out and won't take much to over-stress them. Payload is 1650 lbs and for a TT that long is on the low side and can lead to easily overloading of the TT. Have you towed it with one or more full holding tanks? Frames have a slight "camber" front to rear and sag over the axles to the front and rear. Normally not very noticeable.

    What type of frame? Is it the type that has faux I-beams made from 3 pieces of sheet steel welded together? If so, these are very flexible and can cause problems. Can you post some photos? Having difficulty picturing what the damage looks like. I would suggest taking it (if towable) to a good frame & axle shop for an inspection plus they can give you options for repair, if any. As mentioned, the only resolution you may have is hiring a lawyer. If you go to a frame shop and get a thorough report and photos you might try going back to the dealer and Cruiser with the evidence. Getting a lawyer to do this might be a good idea. Sounds like poor design, plain and simple. Cruiser is not alone in doing this unfortunately and one big cause is lack of any regulations on frames & suspension.
  • Do you like the trailer? If so I would be going to a welder to install a sub-frame to put the I beams back in place and install some 4400 or 5200 pound axles and new springs.

    That might be a bit simplistic but we have not seen pictures.
  • Well after a three month battle with Cruiser and Progressive Ins, Progressive has agreed to fix my camper. Lippert sent out a rep to inspect the frame after I had sent numerous emails containing photos and measurements to them. Lippert advised this issue was not a manufacture defect.
    I went though pure hell fighting with the insurance company. I am now waiting for my camper to be fixed. Progressive first said that there were no signs of an impact so they were not going to cover it. After many arguments pot holes, rough roads and rough bridges are considered impacts. You don't have to hit a curve, ditch, another vehicle, or any other object to be considered an impact. The damage is being fixed under my collision policy. So..... I hope this will help anyone facing this situation that there ins company is giving them heck about.
    If you own a Cruiser Rv of any type in the 14 15 16 or 17 year model I highly recommend you walk to the back of your camper and look up the frame rails to see if they are bent over the axles. I bet most if not all will be bent..