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Old 06-05-2019, 07:56 PM   #41
Old Okie
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Gussets on my 2017 HC 305RL

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Originally Posted by CT Wanderer View Post
Just thought I'd add a few pictures. Is there anyone out there that has had the frame bend and break like this before? The trailer welding repair guy I've talked to has said it is very unusual for the frame to wrinkle like that unless there was a collision. He said that normally hitting something in the road would cause a bolt or spring to break or the tire to blow but not bend the frame.
I finally got around to inspecting the suspension bracket to frame connections after reading of your problems. There's a gusset like this on top of the frame flange at every spring hanger to frame weld. I didn't see see any of these on yours. If not, looks like Lippert forgot something.

Still not real stout looking, since these are pretty thin gussets which are only stitch welded. However, I've inadvertently run the trailer over several curbs, etc., and nothing's broken yet.
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Old 06-06-2019, 07:44 AM   #42
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But you're right. The point is that you have gussets. This is the same type I have. Apparently it doesn't take much additional support to strengthen the frame at the suspension. So far so good.

The OP didn't have gussets. Once excess flex is allowed the break is inevitable. Lippert should step up and pay for the whole correction. What kind of lawsuit would have happened if the manufacturing oversight resulted in a serious accident and Lippert's negligence exposed?
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Old 06-06-2019, 08:33 AM   #43
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noticed your spring bolts - are these not wet bolts? If not it might be good to pull bolts and check bushings - some bushings are made of plastic and do not last - it might be good to upgrade to wet bolts and brass bushings - food for thought. That gusset does distribute a lot of load and basically removes flex from side of frame.
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Old 06-06-2019, 11:27 AM   #44
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Interesting tidbit. Lippert makes the frames, but they do so to Keystone/Montana's specs.
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Old 06-06-2019, 02:35 PM   #45
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and Keystone might say, "we spec to Lippert recommendations."
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Old 06-06-2019, 03:04 PM   #46
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Spring Bolts

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Originally Posted by Ram Montana High Country View Post
noticed your spring bolts - are these not wet bolts? If not it might be good to pull bolts and check bushings - some bushings are made of plastic and do not last - it might be good to upgrade to wet bolts and brass bushings - food for thought. That gusset does distribute a lot of load and basically removes flex from side of frame.
Nope, not wet bolts. Did your 305RL come with wet bolts?
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Old 06-06-2019, 04:17 PM   #47
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Originally Posted by Old Okie View Post
Nope, not wet bolts. Did your 305RL come with wet bolts?
No - but it had the brass bushing … my neighbor on hos SOB had wet bolts and plastic bushings - he had to stop enroute because he blew a bushing and the unit almost wrecked them - well worth the inspection cost.

My trailer guy does an annual bearing repack and suspension check every year … I trust him - Great piece of mind
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Old 06-07-2019, 04:41 PM   #48
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On the side of the road with the same issue. Damn!!!!!
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Old 06-10-2019, 05:35 AM   #49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Okie View Post

Still not real stout looking, since these are pretty thin gussets which are only stitch welded. However, I've inadvertently run the trailer over several curbs, etc., and nothing's broken yet.

That looks like a 'cost reduced' version. Our 343RL has a brace from the bottom to top flange and is a much sturdier brace. If I was to install it myself, would also use another piece of steel between the brace and 'I' web to further reduce flex in that area.
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Old 06-13-2019, 04:21 PM   #50
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Quote:
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Did any of the drawings show addition of gussets above the spring hangers?
Yes there were gussets as one of the options for repair. Still waiting to here from the trailer shop how they worked out a repair solution with Lippert. Will post pictures and details when completed.
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Old 07-12-2019, 01:59 PM   #51
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Just wondering about your repair

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Originally Posted by CT Wanderer View Post
Yes there were gussets as one of the options for repair. Still waiting to here from the trailer shop how they worked out a repair solution with Lippert. Will post pictures and details when completed.
Just wondering if your repair has been done yet, and am curious as to what they did to fix it. Hope everything is well.
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Old 07-21-2019, 06:48 AM   #52
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Suspension Fixed

I finally got my trailer back after 6 weeks in the shop. They did a nice job doing both of the engineered fixes sent by Lippert. Lippert only offered three hours labor on the job so my insurance paid the whole bill.
They installed angle iron reinforcement on all six load bearing points above the spring hangers. They did the inside and outside where as Lippert only said to do the outside. They also installed 2” square tube cross bracing from driver to passenger side with gussets. It’s nice and solid now. I took it on a trip to the Finer Lakes in NY when I got it back and the trailer performed well, no crabbing and the tires all ran the same temp. I also had them install wet bolts as the originals were shot. The insurance paid for those also so that was a bonus as I was going to do it myself anyway. I’ll attach a couple pictures.
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Old 07-21-2019, 08:55 AM   #53
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It's been a big hassle, for sure, but WAY "better-than-new" is a good thing. Looks great!
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Old 07-21-2019, 10:00 AM   #54
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Now you can enjoy your rig and not worry about frame problems.
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Old 07-29-2019, 11:20 AM   #55
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Good for you, that is a solid fix.
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Old 07-29-2019, 05:10 PM   #56
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The same thing happened to me and it ended up being a broken spring bolt rear axle, rear spring, passenger side. Road service mechanic told me he had 4 calls for the same issue in the last 2 weeks and had another call for the same exact issue as he was repairing my camper.
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