myredracer wrote:
Be aware that if your frame ever fails for any reason during the warranty period, Lippert will automatically blame the owner for overloading the frame. And you can be assured if you did something to try and increase the GVWR, that'd be another reason to invalidate the warranty.
Some frames are barely able to support the UVW when they leave the factory. Looking at frames when shopping is a very good idea. I'd avoid the type of frame that is 3 pieces of sheet steel welded together to make an I-beam. Brochures won't tell you a TT has one of them. Some manufacturers even call these weak frames "heavy duty".
We had a previous TT and the day after we owned it, we discovered a major defect in the frame. Lippert stated "it's within spec.". Took it to a gov't certified inspection facility and they produced a report which led to the entire TT being replaced. The frame & axle shop said it was the worst frame they'd ever seen. Def. not overloaded as we hadn't even put a single thing in it yet!
You can upgrade axles with higher rated ones and install a higher load range tire, but the GVWR assigned by the factory won't change. Frames unfortunately are not required to meet any gov't regulations or industry standards and Lippert can build them however they want. Most frames (Lippert) have cold-rolled once-piece I-beams but can vary in height and some have additional reinforcement at the spring hangers. Different TT manufacturers can use stronger or weaker frame designs for similar length and wt. of TTs yet have varying GVWRs assigned to them. Getting a TT with a higher CCC *should* mean a stronger frame, but not always. I suggest crawling under frames when shopping and take notes and photos. I think you'll be surprised at how different they can be. Take 12-13% off a GVWR when shopping to get an estimate of weight on axles & tires. Never use the UVW or dry tongue wt. numbers.
Frames that flex a lot can even damage the superstructure that sits on it. This photo is a failed weld in the aluminum superstructure from excessive frame flex on a TT less than a year old. Bouncy & rough roads and/or many miles on weak frames can increase the chances of significant issues like this. Some frames even develop fatigue cracks above the spring hangers from excessive flex.
A few TTs have BAL frames and Outdoors RV/Nash/Artic Fox use their own in-house built HD off-road certified frames. If we ever bought another TT I'd be looking at one of these.
I highly recommend taking a brand new TT straight to a scale on the way home from the dealer and keeping the scale ticket somewhere safe.
Shop wisely!
What a wealth of information. Thank you kindly.
