Broken Pin Box welds - Montana Owners Club

capn chris · 06-16-2008, 07:14 AM

Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, how did you resolve it? We're in MN and I'm trying to determine how best to have the rig repaired. Not safe to tow now. I've made contact w/Lippert and Montana, and waiting for their response to the pictures I sent and my calls.

Fire5er · 06-16-2008, 08:29 AM

Can you post the pictures so we know what to look for?

capn chris · 06-16-2008, 05:29 PM

Not sure how to post pics, but sure Glenn could. Have sent pics of broken welds and frame members to Lippert and Keystone. Awaiting responses from them. Serious breaks in beams up front!!!! More to follow!

Glenn and Lorraine · 06-17-2008, 01:01 AM

Send them to me and I'll post them for ya.

Glenn and Lorraine · 06-19-2008, 02:57 AM

mail2us · 06-19-2008, 03:31 AM

Chris, you guys be safe and am curious as to how you either determined or notice these breaks? Visual inspection?

Dennis

HamRad · 06-19-2008, 04:57 AM

That first picture looks like the beam broke rather than a broken weld. Hard to tell but the others did look more like possible broken welds or in one case it looked like the weld simply was not complete! Anyway thanks for the pictures it makes it very nice to be able to see what is there.

HamRad

ggranch · 06-19-2008, 05:43 AM

As a one-time certified AWI inspector, the pictures do not show weld failure. They indicate metal failure. Picture #1 shows the weld intact but the metal torn apart in the heat affected zone. Picture #2 shows failure of the beam outside the heat affected zone. Is there a weld on the otherside of the beam? Picture #3 seems to be showing colleratal damage from flexing. There looks to be some tearing of the metal on the boxed beam. The first part of this weld shows no penetration.
As I have a Lippert frame and pin box, I will be looking closely at mine. What were the conditions leading up to this discovery. Your signature does not disclose what type of hitch you are using, not a goose-neck adapter I hope. Keep us informed of Lipperts and Keystones actions please. Bob

capn chris · 06-19-2008, 05:43 AM

The last/lowest picture shows the pin box weld that broke, and of which I was initially unaware. Check the rear box welds visually! Suspect the front beam (pic 1+2) may have stressed as a result of the rear break, and broke?! Lippert crew will be here tomorrow (Friday) to work on repairs, thanks to folks at Keystone Customer Service working w/Lippert people. Only clue of the break was the sudden hitch twisting and pushing up into the underbelly w/serious reduced clearance w/bedrails of the truck. Glad we got it safely to a repair site! Outcome could have been much worse?!! Thanks to Glenn for his help w/photos!!!

Fire5er · 06-19-2008, 06:33 AM

Thanks Glenn and Chris for the pictures, they sure are worth a thousand words.

Chris that's some bad stuff you have going on there. Hope you can get that taken care of soon. Good luck.

capn chris · 06-24-2008, 07:14 AM

Lippert technician/welder showed up Friday (6/20) morning at American RV Repair in Forest Lake, MN. After American staff pulled the front underbelly and loosened the front cap, the Lippert guy wet down the flooring went to work w/a cutting torch from below. He cut out the pin box welds and the entire fron beam. After grinding everything down, he went to work replacing the front beam and adding another to the rear. He then installed a new pin box mount and 2 additional brace beams, front to rear. He then added gusset plates to each corner (16). Lippert truck brought all materials needed. After about 6 hours of cutting, welding, and painting, the American folks started buttoning her back up. Better, and much stonger than new! Pin box worked great towing to Nacedah, WI yesterday!!! Thanks for all of the interest and concern. BTW, Keystone has shared w/me the repair costs!

HamRad · 06-24-2008, 07:36 AM

Chris,

I hope pictures are forthcoming. I'd like to see some of what they did.

Thanks,

Dennis

H. John Kohl · 06-24-2008, 09:08 AM

Glad you are on the road and comfortable with the repairs. Travel safe.

mail2us · 06-24-2008, 02:46 PM

Chris, glad that all repairs were made to your satisfaction. You live good! Even new decals, huh? Dennis

dalesrfan · 08-12-2008, 02:22 PM

Chris.
My 2000 3255RL Did the Same thing... Who at Keystone did you talk to ??? I had to have a Welding Shop in Sterling Colorado fix mine so I could get it home. Mine looked like the front beam Closest to the Nose Cone was tearing in half like a piece of Paper on both sides of the Pin Box. It's also Starting to tear at the Rear of the Pin Box. What year is your unit ????? We had ours fixed on the Friday before memorial Day Weekend

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