frame/chassis damage - whose responsibility?

[frame damage-responsiblity]

Am I right to be upset that a "shackle" ripped off the chassis of my not quite two year old trailer, leaving it seriously lop-sided and twisted?

I'm looking for feedback....Have you had any similar experience? Is this a one-off or a sign of the times?

 I have a 26 foot bumper-pull travel trailer: Shadow Cruiser 225RBS, which I purchased new in 2021. It has done one return trip from Ottawa, Ontario Canada, spending the winter in Arizona. Last week, on its second return trip north, the trailer was so bad I had to stop my trip just south of Sacramento,  Here I lie

On March 28th I pulled into French Camp RV Resort, Manteca, CA. The next day, a local repairman came to look at it, subsequently made a tack weld and successfully rewired the 110V. The trailer is more level, but  I'm advised it is not safe to tow. 

I'm not sure of the correct terminology, so please bear with me. By the back end of the leaf spring, there is a kind of box welded to the chassis; One side of this had separated from the frame, and the frame rails in that area look like flaky pastry  - delaminated(?) The trailer is no longer square as the door no longer closes properly.  I have filed a bit at the bottom, which helps, but the top of the door and the jamb will not meet.

Just fyi, this trailer is my 24/7 home, and I believe Cruiser (Thor?) needs to take responsibility.  This means they either make a professional repair or replace the unit.  I was insulted this morning by a phone call from Lippert wanting to send a welder to "fix it" in the RV park.  This is not acceptable on two counts: firstly, the park does not allow maintenance on-site, and secondly, to my mind, there's no way an adequate repair could be made anywhere other than in a properly equipped facility.

Any thoughts?

NB I understand Lippert builds the chassis for the Shadow Cruiser.

 

 

 

 

 

[TXiceman]

Lippert builds most of the frames for RVs in the USA.  They should be ashamed of the product they put out.  They claim they build to the RV manufacturers specifications and take no responsibility for their welding and thin metals. 

I feel that they should take responsibility that the frames are built with the proper materials and welded properly.  I am a retired mechanical engineer and would not design or build a substandard product.  Whatever the product was, it had my name on it and it was built right, or I walked from the project.

I'd go back to the trailer manufacturer and Lippert to fix the problem.  In any case whether you get their help or you make the repairs on your nickel, make sure that the repairs are done by a certified welder and the suspension attachments are properly braced and supported.

Ken

[Chalkie]

From I see online Cruiser has a 3 year structural limited warranty. Now if that extends to the chassis, I don't know but you should break out it out and read it. They also say that warranty claims are processed in 24 hours. 

You say you have had some temporary fixes but you do not say that you have contacted the manufacturer. That is something you should do sooner rather than later. Contact them and let us know what they say.

[Star Dreamer]

Most parks will allow emergency repairs as this is not a maintenance item. Check with the park management. It is possible to do the repair in the field with the right equipment. I would rather have that done there where you can still use your RV vs taking it to a shop where it might be tied up long enough that you have to get a place to stay like a hotel which will not be covered. (Check your warranty, it probably shows that full time use is not covered only recreational use.)

Once Lippert has done the onsite repair, now you should be safe to move the trailer to a repair facility if you feel they did not do a good enough job.

[rpsinc]

On 4/12/2023 at 11:10 PM, frame damage-responsiblity said:

there's no way an adequate repair could be made anywhere other than in a properly equipped facility.

I vehemently disagree.  I have 32+ years as an installer of warehouse equipment, all done in the field using portable service truck and experienced people.  There are MANY mobile welders, trailer repair techs and truck mechanics with great skills that can do a good repair, perhaps even overcome the unfortunate original design and/or materials & workmanship quality or lack of.

 

On 4/13/2023 at 7:08 AM, TXiceman said:

Whatever the product was, it had my name on it and it was built right, or I walked from the project.

I agree.  I want whatever I do to be safe and be reliable for the life of the product or equipment.  It has my name on it.  Now, I do find that this approach is not very common in our modern world.  Too many are just putting in the hours needed to get a check, not so much caring about the quality of the job they are doing ie. poor welds which I see EVERYDAY.

 

It will be interesting to see how Lippert follows up on this issue.

[Danfreda1]

I wasn’t going to comment but I would bet somewhere in the fine print it says not for continuous living. Most trailers are not built to be used full time, even if the salesman says you can or it says 4 seasons. I know a lot of people do it but that doesn’t mean it’s built for it. 

[Chalkie]

1 hour ago, Danfreda1 said:

I wasn’t going to comment but I would bet somewhere in the fine print it says not for continuous living. Most trailers are not built to be used full time, even if the salesman says you can or it says 4 seasons. I know a lot of people do it but that doesn’t mean it’s built for it. 

True, however what is described as the issue has nothing to do with the problem which would only have happened if the trailer was in motion. The fix could certainly impact its use and the lifestyle of the OP, but I think the manufacturer would have a hard time denying coverage (if it is still under warranty at all) based as usage as the damage could have occured on a family vacation.

 

[rpsinc]

2 hours ago, Chalkie said:

even if the salesman says you can

And salesman also say your 1/2T pickup can tow a 36' 5er.  Just ask him!!

[Chalkie]

59 minutes ago, rpsinc said:

And salesman also say your 1/2T pickup can tow a 36' 5er.  Just ask him!!

That wasn't me that made the comment about the salesman.

[Ray,IN]

Your description sounds like the frame is now twisted or out of square. That cannot be remedied by a mobile welder. It requires a well-equipped frame shop to make the necessary corrections and welding.

 I agree with Chalkie, contact Lippert NOW! make a record of every conversation you have with Lippert and the dealer who sold the trailer.

Most times that kind if damage is due to the driver making very sharp turns/spot turns(or when backing) and dragging the wheels sideways.

A question Lippert will ask is, "what is the actual loaded weight of the trailer?" If it is 10# over the GVWR your claim will be denied. Reason? overloading voided the warranty. BTW, if you haven't already, read the warranty closely so you know your rights.

 

[Danfreda1]

Hasn’t been back since Thursday, imagine that

[Tulecreeper]

13 hours ago, Danfreda1 said:

Hasn’t been back since Thursday, imagine that

👍  And check the user name...

[frame damage-responsiblity]

Thank you everyone for the variety of contributions in reply to my original posting. I have read them all . and would like to bring you up-to-date:

1.       I have have had a number of exchanges with a helpful gentlemen in Nampa Idaho (Heartland?);

2.       Cruiser/Lippert seem to be standing by the 3-year structural warranty on the Shadow Cruiser and, subject to reservations, I shall be taking them up on their offer of a welder to fix things so that I can safely return to Canada asap. Further necessary work could wait till then.

3.       New tires would also be needed before travelling any further.

4.       The park was pretty adamant, and the tack weld was done on the QT. Interestingly, Cruiser/Lippert left it to me to get the trailer to a place where Lippert’s welder could work on it, which I have done.

5.       A good look under the trailer in the bright light of day makes the source of the problem quite clear to me: the thickness of the spring hangers is just about double that of the frame rails to which they are attached : an “accident” waiting to happen. There are 8 hangers overall (4 on each side).  Unless these are all modified, I shall spend my life waiting for the next shoe to drop.  I wonder what the safety people might have to say on something like this – or my insurer.

6.       Would something like this be considered a design error or a manufacturing oversight?

7.       My reservations concern such things as the squaring of the whole, a door that closes properly, new tires all round, and a few smaller items. The 110V AC still needs to be sorted out. I shall perhaps need to live with the other 7 hangers.

8.       I must have contacted every tow company and heavy hauler within 100 miles of French Camp. AAA’s services sent 2 unsuitable vehicles to the Park, before removing me from their list.  Finally, I hit on Ramont’s Towing: a professional company, with top-of-the-line equipment (incl. the Lobed), whose  people were not only on-the-ball, but treated this old lady as a serious client. Everyone was friendly but efficient: from Paul, who gave me clear info on their terms, to Chris, the cheerful backstop in the shop and Chad the awesome driver, they were a real pleasure to deal with.  Paul’s estimate was also on the nose! If you’re ever in North California and need a tow of any kind, give Ramont’s a call – you won’t regret it.

9.       My insurance broker and insurance company need to be on board with this procedure.

10.   It looks as though I shall not need to call on SAL, who carry the extended warranty.

11.   At the Escapade in Tucson, I had the truck and trailer weighed, and everything is within limits, so I’m not worried on that score.

12.   I haven’t seen anything about type of use, provided it is personal.

 

I think that covers most of your comments – once again, thank you and

Happy Trails. Patricia

[sandsys]

Patricia, Thanks for the update.

Linda

[Hill_Country]

I'm not real clear on what the problem is, but if the spring hangers need reinforcement you might look into the Morryde X-factor brace.  https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/MORryde/MR33WR.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google | Dynamic - Search Ads&adgroupid=60357936130&campaignid=1672411816&creative=418475254248&device=c&devicemodel=&feeditemid=&keyword=&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9028094&matchtype=&network=g&placement=&position=&gclid=CjwKCAjwue6hBhBVEiwA9YTx8D8WGTFGU_vbffV6OXOJGqg1rBo7w1SX3J3zg9r0weYx0bI8ZVFEABoCz-UQAvD_BwE

This is a very simple installation and is very effective.

[frame damage-responsiblity]

Hi Hill_Country,

Thank you, the video helps: I've had a look and hope I can make things clearer.  It's not so much the hanger that needs reinforcement, as the rail.  The rail has failed.  The lower end of the spring hanger, is still bolted to the rear end of the leaf spring, but the top end is "floating" and remains welded to a piece of rail. The top end of the hanger, instead of sitting neatly up against the underside of the rail, has split off, taking with it a  piece of the rail, leaving a ragged gap in the rail itself. 

I note in the video the thickness of the spring hanger and the rail are about the same.  On my Shadow Cruiser, the hanger is almost twice as thick as the rail, which perhaps accounts for the result. In the video, I also note what seems to be a piece of reinforcement above the rail where the hanger sits below. Probably a good idea.  The trailer is double axle, so only 7 more hangers to go 

Welder can't get here till next Monday (24th), then it's off for tires, brakes and whatever else is needed to make this thing safe and roadworthy.

Happy Trails!.

[usbusin]

A picture is worth a thousand words. 

[Kirk W]

2 hours ago, frame damage-responsiblity said:

Welder can't get here till next Monday (24th), then it's off for tires, brakes and whatever else is needed to make this thing safe and roadworthy.

Please do keep us posted as you progress. We do care and will help in any way that we are able. Wishing you the best results!