Frame flex?

[timberframe]

Hello All, and thanks you for having us at your Montana Owner's club. Even though we am not Montana owners yet, we are very interested in them. We have been looking at buying a Montana somewhere's between the years of 2001 and 2007 model. My concern is with trailer frame flex on a not so new trailer. Is it something that I need to watch for? We are looking at taking a trip as snowbirds each year of around 5000 miles or so. Thanks for your insite.

 

[1retired06]

Yes, the first year or two Montanas were built, (believe, not positive 1999 was first year) there were frame problems corrected in subsequent production years, and a recall fix was put in place for those models affected. I have not heard of any problems after 2002. If you are looking at an early model, just check with keystone re the warranty program and ensure if the model year you are considering was in that window, that the fix was done. Fix was an expansion/flex joint modification to the frame. We put a lot of miles on our 2002 with no problems, and certainly no problems with our 05 or 10.

 

[topjimmy]

I had a 2003 34 ft big sky and never had any problems with flex it was a darn good 5th

 

[jimmy2]

i have a 2006 3400rl in the shop right now and it looks like i have about 10,000.00 in flex damage to it beware

 

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by jimmy2

i have a 2006 3400rl in the shop right now and it looks like i have about 10,000.00 in flex damage to it beware

Before you start writing checks give the Service center a call.

 

[jimmy2]

ya she past that new car smell but mysaving grace is this all started with a broken shackle so my insures is going to cover it well i sould we shall see

 

[PapaBeav]

Our 2006 had a bad case of frame flex 2 years ago and was covered fully by Keystone. So before you do anything I would call them first. I told them it was so bad (which it was) that I was afraid the front end was going to fall off, and they told me to take it to a dealer right away. So definitely call Keystone first.

 

[8.1al]

When we first bought our Montana and joined the MOC, I read of all the problems people were having and wondered what kind of a mess I had gotten into. Someone on the forum pointed out that most people were not having these problems. That said, yes, some people have had frame problems but it is far less than an epidemic.

 

[timberframe]

Thanks for all the info on the frame flex issue. Am I to understand that if I buy a used one and it has a flex problem that has not been addressed in the past, that the Montana company may still warrenty?

 

[jsmitfl]

No They won't warranty the problem on the older models. Our 2001 was suppose to be fixed by then Suncoast last year and our first trip out it broke again. Of coarse they didn't fix the complete issue to begin with. Anyway brought it to Tiara of Elkhart and they fixed it. It has went to Idaho and back to Fla, and now back to Indiana. Has been good since the fix. Cost was around $2800.00.

 

[RRman]

So far no frame problems with my 05 Big Sky that I tow using a Gooseneck adapter and its gotten stuck twice and been over bad patches of notorious I-10 in LA several times.

 

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by timberframe

Thanks for all the info on the frame flex issue. Am I to understand that if I buy a used one and it has a flex problem that has not been addressed in the past, that the Montana company may still warrenty?

yes that may be the case. Call keystone woth the VIN number aaaaand they will advise you.

 

[RidgecrestDad-MOC]

What symptoms are people seeing with "Frame Flex"? Cracks? Sagging? Racking?

 

[HamRad-MOC]

Barry,
In our old rig the "flexing" manifested itself in our bedroom. When we hooked to our pickup the vanity would lift up from the floor by a half inch to 3/4 of an inch. We first noticed it when it was moving by only a quarter inch or so. Over time it just got worse and worse. Keystone made good on the repair even though we were several years out of warranty. After the fix we never had any trouble. Travel safely, Dennis

 

[RidgecrestDad-MOC]

Dennis,

Thanks. When Montana fixed it, what did they repair?

 

[HamRad-MOC]

BD,
They took off the front cap all the way back to where the overhang starts. There was broken welds that they repaired plus installed a "kit" of extra bracing. Most of it had to do with stuff where the main frame transitions to the overhang. Dennis

 

[Tfthorp]

Wish I had seen this 2 years ago. Had mine fixed cost about $2500.

 

[richfaa]

The frame flex issue has been common knowledge on this forum for several years. Our 2006 3400 was actually done twice. It was done in 2009 or maybe 2008 and again in 2011. It also had the broken framing on the siding that looked like frame flex but was not. the front cap was off enough times that they should have put hinges on it.

 

[RidgecrestDad-MOC]

Hmmm. I have noticed the lower trim molding on the overhang seemingly has a gap (looks like it lowers when unhooked) extending most of the way along the overhang that closes when hooked up. Does that sound like something I should be calling Montana about? Anyone else have this?

 

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by RidgecrestDad

Hmmm. I have noticed the lower trim molding on the overhang seemingly has a gap (looks like it lowers when unhooked) extending most of the way along the overhang that closes when hooked up. Does that sound like something I should be calling Montana about? Anyone else have this?

Call Montana..Take pictures..Does it do it on both sides???