Lippert Frames - Montana Owners Club

poolboy59 · 06-10-2013, 07:09 AM

I was talking to a friend of mine and he said there was a company called Lippert that manufactures frames for trailers. He also said these frames can be defective. I did a web search and have seen some evidence of this particularly with the Cougar line of trailers. It appears Montana frames are made by Lippert as well. Is this cause for concern? I recently purchased a 2005 2980 RL but havent seen anything that would be a problem.

bw2 · 06-10-2013, 07:24 AM

As far as I know, Lippert is the only frame manufacturer, the other went out of business with the last downturn. There are I believe, a couple of high end RV manufacturers that may make their own frames. I have a 2006 3400RL and I have not had a frame issue. There are a number of owners here on the MOC who have experienced "frame flex" with the overhang and the pin box. You can search for the details. IMO, if there are no issues with the 2005 then you will probably not have one. As is the case with all of us, we must pay attention and check on the maintenance, shackles, springs, wheel bearings, slides, pin box area for flex, etc.... as use and age can impact the performance of our units.

**DQDick** · 06-10-2013, 08:36 AM

It does seem to be an issue that affects the newer heavier trailers more than the older ones and even then, not that often. If you have things in the front cap either inside or outside that separate when hooking or unhooking then you need to be concerned. If everything up there is tight, you're good.

dieselguy · 06-10-2013, 04:40 PM

I had a new 2005 2980RL a few years back. The only frame related issue was the filon siding forward and below the bedroom slide cracked outwards from the corner. Keystone had a factory fix for it as in an expansion joint had to be installed. It worked and is still a standard feature on the bedroom slides even on my 2011. Oh yeah ... the frame was beefed up around the spring hangars and equalizer bar on a factory recall as well. Look for small gussets in and around the frame near that area. In 05 the frame wasn't a true IBeam as is the late models, but 3 pieces of steel welded together to simulate an IBeam.

Irlpguy · 06-10-2013, 06:18 PM

Northwood Manufacturing make their own frames, independently certified. I don't know of anyone else that makes them anymore.

1retired06 · 06-11-2013, 01:52 AM

We had a 2005 Montana, and never any frame issues.

richfaa · 06-11-2013, 02:57 AM

It is true. Lippert makes the majority of RV frames and there have been many frame problems reported on this and other forums I have no idea what the rate of failure is but the large majority of Lippert frames have not had a problem. Of course One failure is one to many if it is your frame. If the concern is high about the failures I would suggest that one goes with a manufacturer other than Lippert.

Irlpguy · 06-11-2013, 05:04 AM

The OP has already purchased a Montana with the Lippert frame, if you want a Montana you are going to get a Lippert frame. As has been suggested here and on other posts on the MOC, the issue seems to be most prevalent in the larger models. Even in the largest Montana's you may not have the frame flex manifest itself visibly, keep in mind they all have some flex and it is the entire unit combined that determines the integrity of the RV, not just the frame.

In the case of the OP, I would think if there were no problems so far identified on the 2005 you have purchased, then you may never experience any problems and should not be overly concerned.

In response to the second post on this thread, I identified one RV manufacturer that still make their own frames, I did not suggest they were better or worse than a Lippert frame, obviously they are only available on their units.

What we see on the MOC forums identifying frame flex issues is a pretty small sampling of the overall Keystone owners. You will never hear Keystone or Lippert admit to problems, so we will never really know how extensive the problem is.

BB_TX · 06-11-2013, 07:56 AM

We have an '07 3075RL (about the same size/floor plan as yours). Have 17,000 miles on it, some on some pretty bumpy roads. No frame issues on ours.
I know there have been some reports of such frame failures. But I think the overall percentage is relative small.

Pugtracker · 06-11-2013, 02:48 PM

I have learn from this forum,other forums and myself. If you see any movement or cracks inside or outside you need to ask why. Here are my wall problems. go to link http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/Da...rame%20Failure

It is fixable as far as I can see (I'm never over weight) LOL. Google Rv frame Flex you will find stories

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