jmtandem
western nevada
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Joined: 01/18/2006
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This has been very interesting and glad you reposted to let us know how it is going to turn out. The welds are pathetic in your pics, if that is bashing so be it. Let the manufacturer's do better welding and we will all congratulate them not criticize.
Keep the trailer as it is better than new at least as to the rewelded sections. A good welder will not let it leave without being welded just right. Getting another trailer from the dealer or manufacturer is just another gamble on what was or was not correctly welded.
Most RV's are built to 'recreational quality' that is a cut below horse trailers or many other on the road commercial trailers. It is unfortunate but that is the way it is. When was the last time you saw a horse trailer goose neck or fifth pin broke from normal use? While some RV's are better framed than others (like
Airstream or Arctic Fox/Desert Fox that makes their own frames) the entire industry is in huge need for upgrading to better quality. This is not bashing, it is the truth.
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed airbags overload springs bumpers
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powderman426
ohio
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I fully agree with five'r on this one, as I don't like the feeling that I need to worry that something I post is going to offend a moderator. After looking at the many pictures of the damage, I don't see where they removed the lower skin to expose the area where the gooseneck is attached to the main frame. There is a good possibility that the same welder did welds in that area also, and that is a major stress point just like the upper pin box. If it were mine, I would insist that they expose that area to check for other damage or poor welds. JMO 
Ron & Charlotte
28' Prowler & 05 Ram QC LB
I started with nothing and I still have most of it left
I never fail, I just succeed in finding out what doesn't work
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Bill, KE7FSV
Taylorsville(Salt Lake City area), UT, USA
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I don't consider informing the members of this forum of a problem, which luckily did not cause loss of life, "bashing".
Probably a good many of us have frames made by Lippert.
I for one, while saddened to hear of the problems the OP had, was glad to know what to look for on my fifth wheel.
Bill
2007 Tango 2660RKS FW, 2006 Chevy 3500 D/A with service body.
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ernestfortier
Palmdale, Calif.
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I really have to agree with the majority of the members here, the original post should not have been closed. This is a major safety issue. There are a lot of states that allow people to ride in a 5er. There could have been some real nasty results from a frame being welded as this one was. It should not matter what or who is being bashed when safety is involved, especially when real evidence, such as photos, are included by the OP. The photos are proof enough that this did happen and what is being called bashing is in reality truth.
Ernie Fortier
99 Bounder 34V
2 honda 2K paralled (for economy)
5.5 Onan onboard
96 Geo Tracker 4x4 Auto. convertable
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aruba5er
Neenah Wisconsin
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I went out and looked at mine after seeing the orignial pics and see nothing like was posted. That makes me feel better. I can see by the new pics that the insulation is rolled up for the repair. Last year my wife complained about how cold it was at the head of the bed so a friend and I took off the front and found No none nada insulation between the headboard and the front cap. Score 1 for Keystone anyway. Pic # 10 shows a great weld. Way to go repairer guy. I am really surprised that the manufacturer dosen't use robotics for welding. They must make enough frames to warrent it. then every weld is 100 percent. I have a friend that makes exhust manifolds and the only thing the man does it put the parts on and the machine does all the welding. Amazing. Lippert could do that too.Put the blame on the manufactuer(Keystone in this case) for not finding the bad welds and excepting the frame. I can see by the pics how bad they were. Real shame. You know the next thing, CHINA frames and even crappier steel.
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mwebber78
New England
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I personally have a problem with the closing of the previous thread and threat to close this one for bashing. I haven't read any bashing here thus far and the pictures of a poor quality weld and the opinion of a professional hired BY LIPPERT ought to be enough to allow people to express thier distrust of Lippert products. Honestly the first thought that crossed my mind is that the group that owns this forum owns Lippert stock to react so impatiently.
Just my opinion from a forum member of a handful of years.....
Michael 
2 DD's and my DW 
2011 Forester 3171DS Class C
Nissan Cube "Fun-Box"
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DoneBeenCamping
AZ
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lockdoc wrote:I know that your opinion of your 5er has been soured through this experience but one thing to consider: now that you have that heavier tube framing properly and professionally welded into place I would bet that your newly remodeled 5er will last you a lot longer and give you more peace of mind than another "off the lot" camper. At least you know that the framing where it is needed to be strong.....IS vs not knowing what a new one looks like under that shiny plastic cap.
Just something to think about. Glad for you that you are being made whole again!
I appreciate what you are saying and it possibly might be true but I would have concern about the rest of the welds in this particular 5th wheel that are not being addressed in this repair. I couldn't continue to own a 5th wheel that has had this kind of failure. Safety and liability are big concerns. I really question whether this 5th wheel owner can be made whole again with this 5th wheel.
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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That was a pretty light frame for a 5th wheel. It should have been heavier from the get-go. The sloppy welding sure did not help it. I wonder if the frmae manufacturer every had any stress analysis work performed on the frames they build. I can pretty much bet that they do not have a structural or welding enginer in the palnt.
And I did not see any Lippert bashing going on anywhere. Just plan and simple facts. Seems to be more frame related issues than in the past IMHO.
Ken
Amateur Radio Operator.
Vintage 1989 Avion Silver, 34V, toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with one miniature Schnauzers, one standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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rustycopperballs
Four Corners,NM
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Maybe this was good accident at best while you were not mobile, but my question is do you remove your wheel chocks before you hook up? I always leave mine on until the pull test
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fordsooperdooty
Southern California
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Quote from another RV.Net/TrailerLife post..."I just called Northwood (Actic Fox, Nash) and talked to the assembly line manager, he verified that Northwood Nash used their own in house made from scratch chassis frame under their RV's.
He stated that they can and have use Alco Frames (which is a division of Lippert), but since they are not engineered as robust and strong as the Nash home made frame, they continue use their own.
The Northwood Manager also noted that Northwood RV's are generally are heavier because of their frames than many other brands."
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and consciencious stupidity."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
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