Cracked Welds...aaarrrggghhh! - Montana Owners Club

noneck · 04-30-2007, 01:15 PM

Well, Pulled the belly pan on the old Montana to perpare fix on minor cracks at pinbox. Had this issue with TV cabinet splintered roof panel at end of last year...now I know why! Looks like a poor method for supporting the side walls? I'm the second owner on this unit and its a 2002 so know this is my problem...hence my argh in subject line.
Belly Pan removed

The minor crack

The argh, moment....

Ok, Its not so clear with this picture but it was an attempt to show the full length of the issue where a strip of steel is welded along the main gussett and is intended to hold the weight of the entire wall! One last time argh!

bsmeaton · 04-30-2007, 02:10 PM

So sorry to hear noneck!

The side welds are the classic issue. The pinbox weld is a little more scary and I don't think was as common!

noneck · 04-30-2007, 02:29 PM

Thanks Brad,
I'm looking for someone to tell me if there is a specific fix for this or do I just jack the side-panel back to alignment and put a continuous bead down that plate?

The pin-box crack has been wire brushed by me in prep for touch-up as I believe its an original "pop" that was there for many years.

DHenry · 04-30-2007, 02:37 PM

Have you contacted Keystone? They have specific directions for dealers to repair cracks and reinforcing the frame to prevent it from happening again.

noneck · 04-30-2007, 02:56 PM

Hi Doug,
No...mostly because I'm the trailer's second owner and its 2002 unit. Been reading alot of posts here and suggests both of these make it not likely to be covered.

I'm also in the Dometic listing as well, so the darn fridge needs a fix too.

bsmeaton · 04-30-2007, 03:02 PM

I agree with Doug - I would contact keystone anyway. At the very least, you can find out what the fix is. Beyond the welds you are talking about along the side, I believe they put plates in the LP compartment as well as up front behind the nose cap.

Doug has some pics of the LP compartment.

Fordzilla · 04-30-2007, 10:50 PM

I was a second owner and had frame flex around the king pin and front overhang and Darrell and the gang at the service center fixed me up great. I was just starting to get caulking pulling apart when I hitched and unhitched and had little movement inside the trailer. But they added a bunch more metal around the kingpin and down the sides to reinforce everything and it is holding up great so far.

Sunshine · 05-05-2007, 05:38 AM

We also are second owners and last fall in Goshen Keystone service center redid the front of the Monty due to frame flexing - no charge.

noneck · 05-05-2007, 06:33 AM

Well, Called Keystone and was told not covered as I am second owner, suggested I call Lippert and gave me the phone number. Called Lippert and talked to Mike who requested I send him some pictures. At the very least I told him if he could provide a recommended fix I could at least consider replicating it. Will let you know what his reply is...stay tuned.

noneck · 05-09-2007, 02:13 PM

Ok, Last entry on this frame crack issue. Mike Locke with Lippert also responded that since my unit is a 2002 it is out of warranty. I had also asked for recommendation on what Lippert does to repair this failure and he provided this response;
"Chuck
As your unit was built in 2002 this would not be a warranty issue. I'll explain what needs to be done to fix it. The cracks of course need to be sealed and reinforce with all the weight on the pin. I would also recommend reinforcing the corners with 1/4 inch gussets and run angle brackets down the side rails of the upper deck. Both should be 11 gauge steel."
Trying to stay a happy camper.

noneck · 05-21-2007, 03:57 PM

Ok, One last post on this topic. Completed the repairs for side rails...
BEFORE

AFTER

I used 1/4 inch angle iron on the front 20" section so I can sleep at night knowing it won't fail again...

Ed and Carole · 05-28-2007, 06:09 PM

Read more of this in Technical, Problem & Probleming Solving under Montana Frame Problem Last posting was April 8th. so it is on about page 13 or 14

Ozz · 05-29-2007, 01:32 AM

Noneck, if anyone can repair it, you can. Sorry to hear about your problems with the frame.

noneck · 05-29-2007, 03:53 PM

Ed and Carol...correct, I was following that thread hoping my unit was not going to be in the group. I would suggest its not as much a frame issue as a shell problem and fixing is not simple as placing a weld made me nervous about sending the whole thing up in flames...plywood panel extends to the steel plate that was tac welded to the main overhang frame.
Ozz, Thanks...I am not that good...just human like the rest of us on this forum, still like my used Montana and want to keep my DW happy as she loves it!

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