I think you need a brace under your shackles they sell a stiffer across your spring mounts etrailer sells them look into it

@AlcoholFreeRV

2 жыл бұрын

I just installed some... check it out here kzread.info/dash/bejne/hoCE2cmFes6odJc.html

@mxmissile4588

2 жыл бұрын

Elephant in the living room is the original Lippert welds themselves. Take a close look - very poor weld at factory. Lippert's QC should be embarrassed.

@charleswesley9907

Жыл бұрын

The frame will break too . Quite frankly with all the tire scrub caused by making close turns on pavement something is going to break. Look at the tremendous twisting and bending of your axles , wheels and frame by getting out of your truck while backing into a paved camp spot. One wheel will be leaning one way and the other will be leaning the other . The Ibeam that those shackles weld to will twist and break at the points of stress. Those points are the cross members that keeps the Ibeams straight and where the shackles attach . Check for rust collored cracks 1 inch or so above the lower flange of the Ibeam your wheels attach to.That goes for both 5th wheels and Travel trailers . On 5th wheels always chewck for any seams opening or deformation of the Goose neck when the load is put on the pin. They break in the transition to the goose neck . Inspect periodically because breaks can happen over time . Also avoid overloading as it can cause failures . For more info google failures of your type of RVs Lippert builds most all of the frames but to specs provided . So how they are used isnt known nor how much they are rated for is up to the coach manufacture.

@grast5150

3 ай бұрын

That is exactly what I was going to suggest. I had welded 2x2 square tubing which runs from one shackle to the other. This prevents the shackle from swaying and so far no further issues.

I just ran across your first video where the bracket broke. After watching it I thought to myself "since you already had a welder there, I'd go ahead and add reinforcements to all six brackets". I wasn't too surprised to then see this video about the exact same thing happening on the other side. Whenever anything breaks or fails on my RV, I always try to not only repair it, but improve it so it doesn't happen again. My neighbor had a leaf spring fail on his trailer, I convinced him to replace both sides, not just the broken one. We already had all the tools out, and a brand new Lippert spring was $44 on Amazon, far less than the cost of a roadside repair. Most trailers I've seen are built down to a cost and weight limit, so the suspension pieces I've seen are fairly flimsy with little safety margin built in. That's one of the reasons I went with a Class-A rig, it's built on a commercial truck chassis. It's not the solution for everyone, but trailer owners really need to keep an eye on their frame, brakes, and suspension.

@Lauren-vd4qe

7 ай бұрын

not everyone can afford or wants a class a bus; the repairs/tuneups for them are humongus.

Our DRV Mobil suite with a Lippert frame did the same thing. Going down the road at 70 mph. The rear right hanger broke. Severe the break line and ripped the tires. I contacted Lippert and was told. ( that’s the first time they ever heard of that happening ). They did offer to pay for the repair $ 2500. But this is a major problem. I know of at least 3 other people that have happened to one was a serious accident. Why hasn’t Lippert been sued?

@Lauren-vd4qe

7 ай бұрын

lippert only makes frames etc according to what the manufacturer orders. so its the brand of trailer that you have that is the problem, not actually lippert.

@jamesyao9199

2 ай бұрын

Also cracked on chassis’s frame on my No Bo trailer last Summer trip to Newfoundland, almost caused a serious accident!

As a fabricator I would make some kind of T bracket with the top of the T about 12 inches. 1/4 or 5/16 steel both sides. Weld through holes etc.

@fastst1

6 ай бұрын

plug welding is under rated

I see a lot at my shop. The hangers are less than 3/16 thick. I weld a 2x 2 tube between the left and right hanger to give the hanger some strength during tight turns backing up.

Can't believe how thin the steel is on the factory brackets. I would have some made with thicker steel.

Thank you for sharing the good and the bad of RV life

@AlcoholFreeRV

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

Those brackets should be manufactured as an H shape that way they can completely embrace the frame and receive much more welding

Great to see this video shows what can occur.

@AlcoholFreeRV

2 жыл бұрын

I try to share the good along with the less than ideal

I’m looking at a new fifth wheel for our retirement rig and I think you have convinced me to have these reinforced from day one.

@AlcoholFreeRV

2 жыл бұрын

Very good idea!

@Baka_Oppai

7 ай бұрын

just dont buy a fifth wheel with leaf springs period

Consider "V" bracket between "U" legs welded to legs and frame. This is how they used to be done. Posted elsewhere...

@AlcoholFreeRV

2 жыл бұрын

I've heard about these V-brackets, and asked about getting them installed. Unfortunately our short time in Pigeon forge didn't allow for acquisition of these brackets. I do plan on getting them installed however. Thanks for the Comment

@TheMinnow101

2 жыл бұрын

@@AlcoholFreeRV The Lippert bracket support "V" clip is their answer to broken hanger springs. Apparently Lippert will supply them free but you'll need a welder to install them. You might ask Lippert if they have service center near your home. I know they have some out west somewhere. As someone else stated you can buy the MorRyde XFactor bracing(you need 3 kits). Be aware there are two different kits made. One is for suspensions without the correct trac suspension and one is. You have the Correct Trac. You can call MorRyde and get the correct part numbers. The Correct Trac kit is harder to source especially since Lippert discontinued supplying Correct Trac. I have it on our fifth wheel and its very easy to install.

@n2sport1

2 жыл бұрын

This is actually something I believe lippert is starting to do and structurally stronger than a plate on the outside.

That spring hanger design has been used for thousands of trailers, RV, enclosed & HD Equipment for 40+ years. Not likely a bad design, more likely the steel was too hard and the bending process making the hangers caused it to crack a little in each corner. Now road movement finishes the crack until it breaks.

@humourless682

2 жыл бұрын

The failures are due to undamped axles, material which is too thin, and too much weight.

That spring hanger looks like something on a two place snow machine trailer.

Glad you are replacing the spring hangers that were affected. I was concerned when you had the plate welded on on Elkhart. I had a similar issue at the beginning of 2021. I lost the rear pair of spring hangers and almost lost my rear axle. Lippert supplied 6 replacement spring hangers as well as welded shock brackets. I was lucky to have a mobile welder in the same RV Park where I was staying. The only thing I had to pay for was the labor of the welder. I submitted an invoice to Lippert and they reimbursed me,

@AlcoholFreeRV

2 жыл бұрын

Lippert only helped with the 2 hangers for us. not all 6. I do plan on doing some additional work to ensure greater strength for the future

@cbramsey5898

2 жыл бұрын

@@AlcoholFreeRV , If you can fit it in, you might want to consider the MorRyde X Factor Crossmember to increase strength. It bolts in so it is a do it yourself project.

@AlcoholFreeRV

2 жыл бұрын

@@cbramsey5898 the moryde brace is something we have considered. The welder in Tennessee recommended doing some cross-frame bracing for these. Our setup would allow for installation and the fact that it's DIY is appealing

It always amazes me that you have these HUGE trailers and it's all sitting on 8 little 1/4" thick pieces of un-gusseted mild steel, just tag welded to an even THINNER frame. How are they able to sleep at night? I never was impressed with Lippert stuff anyway.

@michaelparks3106

2 жыл бұрын

Most trailers are built down to a cost and weight limit. Few people want to pay the premium price and limited weight capacity a thicker frame and suspension would require.

@casskit9502

2 жыл бұрын

I agree totally. No structural engineering what so ever. A real shame.

@eiloen

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelparks3106 then they get to pay later when they end up paying the bill as all these companies are trying hard to deny responsibility.

@michaelparks3106

2 жыл бұрын

@@eiloen Agreed. I was just commenting on why they are built so cheaply to begin with. Look how few Airstream trailers are sold compared to the cheaper brands.

@ricksmith7631

7 ай бұрын

once again, blaming the mailman for bringing you your tax bill. try blaming the manufacturers of these things, keystone, jayco, thor, forest river, heartland. lippert builds what they are told to build and man times the manufacturers will shave down pounds just so they can add some new features and charge a few extra thousand, trust me i know, ive been doing this for a very long time.

We had a DRV Mobile Suites, we had made an appointment with Moryde to replace the bearings to the new ones I have heard a lot about, I forgot the name of those bearings. When we arrived at the Moryde Facility in Elkhart Indiana, a tech went under the rig to look at it, he first asked me what was the weight of the rig, he found what the weight was and informed us that one of the rubber springs had broke and the other was about to break. In looking at the part he told us that DRV when they put the axles on, they put the wrong type of rubber springs for the weight of the rig and that caused the break and the uneven wear on the tires. We didn’t know any of this, we brought our rig in for the bearings to be replaced as the rig was 1 year old already. The tech told me to forget the bearings for now, this was a serious issue that needed to be fixed which thank God that part was still under warranty. That part for one was $1500, and they needed to replace all of them. The tech couldn’t believe we never had a serious blow out and accident because of the inferior rubber springs they used. The tech asked if we ever had sway on the rig, we said we had once coming into Kerrville Tx. But blamed it on the road. He said nope, that was the rubber spring failure. Plus he told us they trained the techs at DRV to install the brake lines inside the frame not outside so in case you had a blow out it wouldn’t tear up the brake line because that was the most expensive repair to do. Ours were installed on the outside of the frame which made sense to me. So all we paid for was to move the brake lines inside the frame and new bearings all the way around. We didn’t get the ones I wanted but the expense would’ve been higher had we done them. That was why he told us to not worry too much on those bearings for now and to take care of the most needed repairs that were the rubber springs. Still ended up spending $1900.00 all together out of pocket, for moving break lines inside of frame and new original bearings, one set the tech showed me were already metal on metal.

look at that 100 new subs since I was here last. Thats great to see.

Avoid sharp turns ! Make shallow turns because the tandem axles do not steer and scrub sideways when making any turn. Have your wife video with her phone your axles and wheels while you turn when backing into a camp spot . That stress is being conducted to your frame and spring shackles . That is what is breaking your frame and suspension. Also 5th wheels suffer frame breaks at the transition from trailer to gooseneck and pinbox attach points . Inspect your frames often . It could save you a very traumatic experience.

@STP-bc5cy

8 ай бұрын

Avoid sharp turns ??? There are thousands of tandem utility trailers out there without ANY issues.

@ricksmith7631

7 ай бұрын

@@STP-bc5cy im a master tech and been doing this for many years. i have seen how these things twist the wheels when turning sharp. this puts alot of stress on the hangers. in my 20 years, i can count the number of times ive seen problems with lippert frames on one hand. im not saying they are perfect and stuff happens but what i find alot of them are from how a customer uses the camper, how they load it out, how they drive it. lippert builds what the manufacturer instructs them to build and lippert does build quality trust me. there are a few things id want to see on this camper, im pretty sure those are 7k axles so the camper is likely around 13-16k, add in cargo weight, subtract pin weight and look at the numbers again. i can look at the wheels and wheel wells, the interior and tell you alot more than an average person could about how the camper was used. this kind of break isnt a shock break its a stress break so that needs to be taken into consideration. but the sharp turn thing is true, the wheel deflection when doing sharp turns can be 20 degrees when comparing the front tires to the back tires since the camper pivots on 4 wheels. before this i was a diesel tech and scrubbing happens on semi trailers but they are built far more robust and can handle this twist.

Did you notice the holes in the spring eyes? 3.19 They seemed to be egged out.

Common issue due to stress. Should all ways strengthen and repare all at the same time.

Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains was a beautiful place to stay at.

You should find out how they can strengthen the frame as well. Seeing a lot of frame issues reported with Lippert.

I am going to remove my entire suspension and load my Open Range onto a BIG TEX 5th wheel trailer. It may look stupid but it is well built and will not fail.

@leonlessard6837

2 жыл бұрын

Hey if it works it works!

I had a c channel welded across from shackle to shackle and to the frame on all hangers per instructions from Lippert that seems to have stiffened the bending The problem comes from tight backing turns that puts pressure on the rear hanger and tears it off.

@eiloen

2 жыл бұрын

No the problem is that Lippert isn't constructing frames etc that can withstand normal use. And then they lie.

Just to add to the comments I'm a retired rv experienced repire fellow 27 yr in the business these travel trailers and fithwheel trailers quality has gone way down and tripled in price

I welded Gussets on the frount and back of my spring handers.

This was handled under a recall on my rig.

It makes little sense to say 'yeah but Lippert only builds what they are asked to build". They should ask the RV manufacturer what is the camper weight and distribution, because we refuse to sell a dangerous frame that can injure people. That's on the design side. Also they are responsible for good quality construction of the trailer. Welding bent pieces of thin cheap steel to hold the axles onto an even thinner frame? They deserve every bit of the criticism they are getting, as does the RV manufacturer who does know better but is putting profit ahead of safety. It's time to at least have federal lemon laws for this industry, specifying same issue repair attempt limit and repair time limit, or provide a free loaner of at least equivalent capability until the camper is fixed.

I dont know if you know it, but I can see your cross brace between your I beams pressing / imprinting through your I beam where the spring shackle was broken . I will bet that on the other side you will see a depressed area where the cross member weld is trying to pull through your web at about ! inch or so above the lower flange of the I beam. That is what mine did except that it pushed through and pulled out the other side . You should have about 3 cross braces in that area. The extreme twisting on the frame rails by sharp right hand turns forward and backing into camp spots most usually to the right is the same for all tandem axle and more so for 3 axles trailers and your 5th wheel also has a weak spot at the intersection of the cargo hold and Goose neck intersection as you will find on KZread . These frames are not anything more than mild steel and 1/8th " thick by Lippert as specified by the trailer builder . So swing wide when making right turns . The left turns are much wider turns per Americas traffic patterns . Make shallower turns backing into camp sites . Some of that popping and cracking noise is that frame at the axle locations . Those tandem axles dont steer around corners .

When in Colorado we live in the Brighton area

Comparing these brackets to those O have seen on other vehicles ,they look totally inadequate.

That bracket weld did not penetrate the main frame

looks like you could some new spring eye bushings

came here from who knows where but watched anyway. i wonder why they wouldnt make an H style bracket to weld to the frame, but im sure it has to do with saving money on how many grams of steel per bracket.

Just found your channel by accident and I heard where you were going back to Colorado, sounding like your base camp. We went full-time out of Thornton, CO. Are you from there? It seems to me that Lippert probably should have put thicker hangers and welded those on both sides of the frame. Poor manufacturing on Lippert’s part…again. Subscribed!

What's the thin metal above the tire. Is it to prevent damage during a blow out? Did you make them, buy them or it come on the camper? Thanks

I can see buy where it was welded to "edge" of a very thin flange. This was more like a seem weld not a structural weld. You need to "split" a piece of tubular steel, with at least a 3/16" wall thickness, to fit the inside profile of the primary wide flange chassis section so that it extends a minimum of 2/3 the height. And flush with the tubular section reinforcing the beam. Add a tab plate, 3/8 inch thick each side, to attach your spring assembly. Have that tab plate extend at least 6 inches on the reinforcing split tube in the primary support beam and use "fillet" welds, NOT SEEM WELDS. RV axle connections are some of the worst deigns I have ever seen. And will fail over time due to lack of lateral restraint and very thin material. At minimum I can see they added in the form of a tubular (HSS) section to frame at the axles. But I bet they didn't do anything to stiffen the web of the primary load carrying member, the I beam, or wide flange as technically know. Remember, 90% of the weight of your RV is sitting right at these points. This is basic structural steel 101. Thanks for listening.

looks like all RV owners need to learn how to weld and carry a welder with them.

Looks like frame is not hardened steel frame ....like the truck frame. Don't know how they pass DOT and state safety standards. Good luck and buyer beware. Thank you for video and keeping calm during recording. God bless

i was told that if you weld across the face of the square tube you will weaken the frame. Did you final repair work out for you and did you get a professional welder to do the job?

Inspect the frame Ibeams in the web . You may find cracks in the web too.

That is simply not thick enough metal for that leaf spring bracket.

Wonder if the X Brace that E trailer sells would help this issue

Make a bracket that has a wider top say 6 inches so it has more more weld surface and use a thicker metal for bracket.

I didn't see your welder. We travel alot into Pigeon Forge but for future knowledge who was the contractor and did he do a good job and would you use him again?

@AlcoholFreeRV

2 жыл бұрын

Etrailerrepair.com (The Trailer Shop) 865-363-6238 The gentleman was very thorough and seemed to do a fine job. I would call him again.

Having some trouble with Eclips RV and Lippert in regards the frame damage… anyone know an Attorney handling a law suit for not repairing their inferior frames

If I was you I definitely would reinforce all shake brackets.ill let you know this is common problem with manufacturing company.not only that shake break the frame is only 1/8 thick and you will continue to have problems with the shackles,frame worpage,frame bending at the hitch

Sad the junk they sell now days..

been following multiple vids re rv frame failures... basic foundational stuff... some of these rigs are very expensive... ive decided against the rv adventure.... better to get some land and build a cabin.🎉

Has this been reported to NHTSA, Seems like this is endemic to a lot of RV's.

Time to re-think the "alcohol free" aspect of this.... ;>)

@AlcoholFreeRV

2 жыл бұрын

Managed to get through it all sober! But it definitely tested me 😃

@JohnnyRacerX

2 жыл бұрын

@@AlcoholFreeRV Good for you - well done !

Told you in the last video you need to reweld and reinforce ALL the frame and brackets. Next, your tongue is going to break.

This is the new super light trailer frame system. Super cheap

Well if your trailer is made by Troy industries which they have a lot of subsidiaries under them they have Lippert build crap frames. Lippert is only building them to specs they are told to build them by...

I've heard this is a problem on lot's of Rv's that and the Lipert frame issues.

@AlcoholFreeRV

2 жыл бұрын

unfortunately you're right

@stephenbullock1443

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely yes! Those frames are 1/8 tube China steel.that needs to be 5/16 thick to support the weight and shakle mounts

All should’ve been reinforced at once.

After spending a fortune, you should not have to re-engineer and fabricate shackle hangers.

I’m a fabricator in Michigan Detroit area if anyone here also has this problem

Moral of the story: NEVER drive behind a towed travel trailer. Don't do it. For you guys towing: Do you have a death wish?

That's what happens when you bend metal it gets weak in the bend .

when did Lipper go with 1/8 steel? This is not a Lipper issue as I see it. Do not buy a trailer with a Lipper frame? Is that possible? I see it as a trailer manufacture issue as Lipper only builds to the manufacturers spec's required. I will keep my 1996 Companion for a while.

Where are the law suits ? Can't beleive people take these dangerous products so lightly .

I Bet U Don’t Have Shocks on U-R Axles Which Will Help Level out U-R Ride & Make U-R New Ride smooth.

I look at the first video and if you go look at the comment I made them I saw that when the other guy was working on it

i will point out, keystone has a recall going on where we are required to add extra structural support to the shackles to prevent flexing, this stiffens the shackles preventing them from flexing and causing fatigue, it wasnt lipperts fault, it was keystones engineers fault. know why lippert is so popular, they know the major manufacturers design crap with little engineering and lippert knows how to fix the issues but manufacturers wont let them due to costs involved. there are more lawsuits directed to thor than lippert and thor owns all the major manufacturers.

If people saw how cheap these RV's were made they wouldn't sell near as many. Pot heads and meth heads work in all the factories. People get really ripped off and it's sad...

I am seeing a lot of Lippert frame issues videos. Something is definitely not right with what they are delivering.

Switch to dexter system. problem solved.

You seriously need to upgrade to independent suspension with torsion axles.

@0:33, whoever welded that plate on to secure the hanger should be fired. What a terrible job! I can weld better with my eyes closed, and what’s with not cleaning it up and painting it? That is pure trash.

Please have your future welders audition for the job before you let them weld brackets. That first bracket that you showed repairs is complete dogshit of a weld. Yea, it might be working right now, but I'd be embarrassed to charge you more than $2 for that workmanship.

🤔 95% of their steel is very low quality, low nickel steel on a pressed bend. A weld there will cause failure. I don't see why they don't take an extra step and use a bolt on shackle system like the cars did back in the 70's and like trucks use today

Geez....the uneducated....ugh! It is not Lippert or any chassis/frame builder's fault. No, I don't work for any chassis or RV company. I am an ER/ICU/Trauma Nurse who understand Physics and Psychology. Lippert ONLY produces what the RV manufacturers order. They have NOTHING to do with what your RV manufacturer put onto it or into it. RV manufacturers are "lightening" the weight of RVs, by utilizing aluminum studs, rafters, joints, etc., instead of wood. The DESIGN of your 5th wheel is the problem. Look at where your axles/wheels are placed. If they are put towards the very back of the RV, the hitch carries the entire front load, including the batteries, the propane, and all the weight of the front. Thus, the frame, and weld of the hitch WILL ultimately fail. Especially in taller, longer, heavier RVs. It isn't rocket science. It is common sense Physics. And the frame just cannot carry the load you carry. Always look at the GVWR of your vehicle that pulls the RV and the RV GVWR max load. Many RVs, that are long, need a third wheel/axle, placed towards the front, to stabilize the weight distribution of the RV. That way, the hitch isn't being abused and overloaded by fools who buy something they don't truly need. The bigger RV, the more insecure a man is about his "little trooper", thus, buys over sized things he doesn't need to compensate. And status is Another reason fools buy too big. Maybe it would be better for the two of you to get therapy, instead. Just sayin', as honesty is my specialty, which takes courage.

So you overbuild a house, which stays put, but you underbuild the house you cart around at 75 mph? Suckers.

Looks like very poor engineering sing light gauge material. Wouldn't cost very little more to build it right in the beginning.

Your brackets are too long and thin, making the RV ride too high and wanky. Get some shocks to absorb the road impact.

Really a very cheap design. Amazes me that the manufactures don't spend another $10 in material and $15 of extra time to make these critical brackets stronger

Why do people by these pieces of junk ? Those brackets look like something off of a child's toy.

The material It's made from isn't strong enough. This area will ALWAYS fail though, as the axles are undamped, which will increase the forces going through the brackets maybe 5X....... Having it plated by people who have no idea what they are doing, will not resolve your problems.

@enricoderojassarson5596

2 жыл бұрын

They use the thinnest steel frame, then powder coat it with one coat of paint. Within 2 years, that paint peels off and takes twice its thickness of steel with it as it peels away. My frames are as thin as 4 copies of xerox paper!!! Poor design from fabrication, they need to galvanize the entire frame. You cannot weld to a frame that thin, can only add plates and bolt it up and hope it does not fail on the interstate. If you buy a new RV, get it undercoated ASAP. If you buy used, plan on taking it to the dump once the frame starts to fall apart

@humourless682

2 жыл бұрын

@@enricoderojassarson5596 If you buy a new RV of this type, I think you are probably mentally ill...........

I’m a welder and I would be Embarrassed to get paid for a job like that that guy who called himself a welder needs to go school

BS workmanship at the factory. DOT should be involved with this, too many serious violations. Class action lawsuit.

i would not buy any r.v. that has a Lippert frame period!!

I am just a fixer and self taught welder and I can do better then these trailers. Unreal how poor these brackets are

Lippert are the worst fame manufacturers. They use under gauge metal and do sloppy work.

Cheap crap imported steel, bad welding and engineering, a disgrace to American industry. Fix the tongue - plate it with 5/16 flat.

Why does every product in the USA looks like it's been dsigned and produced by a highschool class visiting Orange County Choppers? 🤣🤣 All details in the construction are crap.

Junk ass new rv's. Thank you. Will not be buying any rv after seeing all these failures. They make them look so good. Upon closer inspection all are so cheaply made. We will not be buying into this kind of junk. We will just get a motel and save ourselves a lot of pain. And money. Be well....

This is evidence of poor engineering . There is no way this would last.

My cousin made it he does horrible work in Mexico but they only pay him seven dollars a day so what do you expect essay.

Sell the RV. Not worth the headache every trip something is going to breakdown. No enjoyment in that. Constant worry - how can you enjoy the outdoors with this worry hanging over your head every time you travel.

Boy, these trailers are built like shit. I see nothing but big problems for you in the future buddy.

pure junk spring hangers

What a poop show. How is this company still in business

horrible design, horrible welds that frame tubing is no good. the frame will twist and flex until something else cracks and or wear the suspension bushing fast. I build trucks for utility company, that RV material is what Id use for 1 ton trailers, not multiple ton units, those RVs are disasters just waiting to burn and come unglued. in 90s i built a job site trailer for construction crews to warm up and have office at coal plant and constructions sites, still at job site today. The RV would last on season with 10 workers, mud boots, tools, the RV would be junk in 2 months.