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Lippert Upper Deck Flex Measurement Instructions
Hello gang,
I finally did the upper deck flex measurement on my 2017 Montana HC 305RL per the Lippert instructions. Absolutely, zero flex going from loaded to unloaded--which made me very happy! However, the hitch is moving relative to the front cap. From loaded to unloaded condition, I'm getting 7/16" of movement, measured from hitch vertically upward to bottom of cap. I talked to a Lippert Customer Service Rep after making both sets of measurements. He seemed to think the hitch to cap flex wasn't much of an issue, considering it was rock solid on upper deck to main frame deflection.
I'm not so sure, so I have a twofold approach:
1. I plan to take a few hundred mile trip with it, measure the hitch to cap deflection the same way when I get back to see if it's worsened or hopefully stable.
2. I did have Timbrens in place of the stock truck bump stops, which stiffened the ride considerably loaded (and unloaded). It also increased the impact load the trailer takes on a bottoming out situation, since Timbrens are designed for something like an 8000 lb load. It also seemed to bottom out more readily with the Timbrens, since they do reduce the travel of the stock springs before engaging. Granted, not as impact load as a full bottom-out on the stock bump stops, but this was rare. I've taken the Timbrens out for the above-mentioned trip hoping the "softening" of the rear suspension will allow more travel thus taking some shock loading off the trailer.
Truck is a 2015 Silverado 2500HD Duramax; trailer is a 2017 Montana 305RL High Country.
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