Great to hear that you eventually got a resolution.
The entire RV industry is like no other. It's like an insider's old boy's club that only cares about themselves. Besides that, the delivery guys abuse the TTs during delivery by hitting potholes, etc. and going over 65 mph and not having tires inflated correctly.
To me, the reason that frames and suspensions have problems is the total lack of industry standards. No SAE, no ASME, no nothing. Lippert can build the frames however they want to without having to answer to anyone. It's ridiculous. If something goes wrong, their party line response is "you overloaded it" or "it's within specs.". If there were standards, and something was wrong, you'd be able to go to the gov't and file a complaint and get something done. The really sad thing is that many frame, suspension and tire issues don't manifest themselves until past the warranty and you are screwed.
It's not entirely Lippert's fault though as the RV manufacturers tell Lippert how they want the frame built so they're both responsible. The substandard welding you'll find is Lippert's fault of course!
We have been through a very serious frame issue before so I know how bad it can be. Found out the day after we got it something was wrong (by accident too). We initially got the "it's within spec." response. Then went to a certified frame shop and sent the report to the dealer and manufacturer and only then got something done. Took about 9 months overall to resolve. Shouldn't ever have to do that.
I was looking at a Keystone 31' TT recently. The 14" tires on it were maxed to their load capacity based on the GVWR. Axle rating also maxed out. Has the same crappy frame as we had with our problem TT and to make things worse, has spread axles. It's a case of when it will have major problems, not if. Hard to believe they would do this, but again, no industry standards to say they can't.
After having owned 3 TTs in 3 years, I've become a hardened and cynical RV owner. I could write a book at this point...
The best advice I can give anyone is when you buy a new TT, take it to a scale on the way home. Then take it to a certified (or equiv.) frame shop right away and get the frame & suspension inspected and get a report (maybe around $200). Then weigh it again after it's all loaded up for camping. 'Course, almost nobody would do that.
