HELP! Frame Flex x 100? - Montana Owners Club

Wally Dad · 02-09-2020, 09:17 AM

We had our 2018 3950BR repaired for a "frame flex" issue in September of last year (https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=77986). So far so good....until now.

Today, I saw this crack (see picture) in top corner of the main slide on the door side. I know it wasn't there two weeks ago when I washed the trailer. There is also a crack on the inside. I almost passed out. Before we call Montana on Monday, has anyone else experienced such a problem?

Thanks.

MARK A · 02-09-2020, 09:43 AM

Wow... Sorry that happened to you. I hope they step up and just replace your rig.

jeffba · 02-09-2020, 02:46 PM

That would be new to me. That is 2/3s of the way back. Interesting to see what they say

mootana · 02-09-2020, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally Dad

We had our 2018 3950BR repaired for a "frame flex" issue in September of last year (https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=77986). So far so good....until now.

Today, I saw this crack (see picture) in top corner of the main slide on the door side. I know it wasn't there two weeks ago when I washed the trailer. There is also a crack on the inside. I almost passed out. Before we call Montana on Monday, has anyone else experienced such a problem?

Thanks.

Wally Dad:
I've sent you a PM. Please respond.

Thanks

opel0697 · 03-21-2020, 05:15 AM

I have noticed a crack in my High Country in the same exact spot recently. I don't know what to do. If someone does please help. I filled out the contact me form on Keystone's website so far and nothing. Customer care number just rang and rang. There are 2 cracks side by side and one is almost 12 inches down. I just got it out of storage and didn't notice it before or last trip last season.

jeffba · 03-21-2020, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opel0697

I have noticed a crack in my High Country in the same exact spot recently. I don't know what to do. If someone does please help. I filled out the contact me form on Keystone's website so far and nothing. Customer care number just rang and rang. There are 2 cracks side by side and one is almost 12 inches down. I just got it out of storage and didn't notice it before or last trip last season.

Have you had it checked by your dealer? or a dealer?

bshgto · 03-21-2020, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opel0697

I have noticed a crack in my High Country in the same exact spot recently. I don't know what to do. If someone does please help. I filled out the contact me form on Keystone's website so far and nothing. Customer care number just rang and rang. There are 2 cracks side by side and one is almost 12 inches down. I just got it out of storage and didn't notice it before or last trip last season.

Pictures would be nice as most are interested in this. I`suffered the frame break at the front bed side and tried to get keystone on board with CW and that was a complete fail I think it was 3 or four months of talking and lies from CW. Gave up and fixed it myself, not to difficult. so far so good.
I've always wondered if this is not caused by the way you load your unit or the roads we have to drive on or even the way and how tight you make the turn to back in a camping spot. I mean uneven loading and a huge pot hole can real put stress on the frame in a point load. This is what I felt did mine in as the pot hole I hit shocked the truck and no doubt the camper like I have never felt in all my days on the road and not to many hundred miles up the road the right front tire tread started to separate I replaced all tires truck and camper and was stuck at the Walmart for 2 days while they ordered them in.
Noticed the moulding pulling away when I got home when unhooking, I was sunk. I up graded the suspension, changed to large shackels put on 3 X Factors and a air ride pin box after repairing the wall studs that broke lose and reinforcing with large gussets on the front frame members.
Look at how you load and think back at anything unusual on the road or the last couple of back ins for anything out of the ordinary.
Just a guess.

opel0697 · 03-21-2020, 09:29 AM

I had a authorized repairer look at it and all they did was say they don't do fiberglass wall repairs and have me a card of a local person who does. I can't figure out how to load a picture. It keeps asking for a URL.

opel0697 · 03-21-2020, 09:31 AM

Pics uploaded now.

mootana · 03-21-2020, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opel0697

I have noticed a crack in my High Country in the same exact spot recently. I don't know what to do. If someone does please help. I filled out the contact me form on Keystone's website so far and nothing. Customer care number just rang and rang. There are 2 cracks side by side and one is almost 12 inches down. I just got it out of storage and didn't notice it before or last trip last season.

Dear opel0697,
I've sent you a PM (private message). I see the pictures you posted. A picture showing more of the fifth wheel would give us an idea of the location as compared to the entire sidewall.

I'll wait for your reply to my PM.

Montana

opel0697 · 03-21-2020, 09:51 AM

Here you go. It right above front corner of dining table slideout.

mootana · 03-21-2020, 10:02 AM

Opel0697,
I will forward the information you provided to Keystone Service. You being the second owner, I'm not sure what warrantees apply.

Montana

opel0697 · 03-21-2020, 10:06 AM

I asked that same exact question to seller before buying a year and half old camper and he said all warranties go with camper and even gave me all paperwork. I will update this post with the results.

I do believe learning that Keystone would void a warranty on their product just because selling it would be very important information to share to the masses! One would think they stand behind their product to the end of the warranty no matter what.

mootana · 03-21-2020, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opel0697

I asked that same exact question to seller before buying a year and half old camper and he said all warranties go with camper and even gave me all paperwork. I will update this post with the results.

I do believe learning that Keystone would void a warranty on their product just because selling it would be very important information to share to the masses! One would think they stand behind their product to the end of the warranty no matter what.

On the papers that the seller supplied you, how long was the warranty by Keystone?

Mikendebbie · 03-21-2020, 12:01 PM

For reference here is a floor plan with the red X marking where the crack is located.

lightsout · 03-21-2020, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mootana

Opel0697,
I will forward the information you provided to Keystone Service. You being the second owner, I'm not sure what warrantees apply.

Montana

2nd owners are grandfathered on warranty (it is written in the warranty), beyond that you are likely SOL however because these are not isolated problem they may have no choice. Frankly these stories of weld issues boggles the mind how this is not a recall situation yet. My 2018 Jeep Wrangler was recalled for Frame welds issue, while only a few actually had the bad or failing welds DOT demanded Mopar do a recall.

opel0697 · 03-21-2020, 01:59 PM

It is definitely mind boggling a how many occurances I have come across while searching this matter! I would be glad to drive hundreds of miles to take to Indiana facility for repair. This is for sure a defect.

mazboy · 03-21-2020, 10:56 PM

this wouldn't be frame flex in my opinion, I always thought that was up in the front of the trailer...had 3 trailers with it.

Your resolution is to get it to Goshen. Push Keystone to get it there.

Good luck.

Last2Die · 03-22-2020, 08:44 AM

The more I see these issues the more I dont even want to hook up and drive with it. Has there been any issues with the 3920, 3921 ? Makes me want to trade in for something else....anything else.... Keystone already gave me the middle finger on the axle repairs and tires, and thats nothing compared to the cost to fix frame flex......

Tony

opel0697 · 03-27-2020, 11:13 AM

UPDATE

I was contacted by Keystone. They did agree to pay for my camper to get examined at a local Camping World to determine the cause of crack. I have to give much credit to Keystone for stepping up and doing this for an issue that is technically not under warranty still! Unfortunately COVID issue has the first appointment April 6th. I have also noticed that my kitchen roadside slide bumps and bucks as I extend and retract, and that never occured before. I fully lubed the slide and inspected it. I hope that does not indicate something else majorly out of alignment with the trailer since the cracks started.

Keystone did state they had not seen the crack in my more central location, and its usually upfront by the overhang. It looks like myself and the originator of the post WALLY DAD may be the first.

I will update this thread when I find out more. Safe travels and Pandemic to all!

-Danny

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