Montana 3671BP Structural Frame Damage

[newadven2023]

We have the Montana 3671BP. Often said that RV ownership isn't for the faint of heart. Be ready for when something breaks. Buy the extended warranty, fix what you can and have a technician fix what you can't. Well, the unimaged happened....appears that the structural frame broke, at least part of it. Scheduled with the dealer for drop in a few weeks. Sent pics to them. They asked if I hit something. NO! They said driving over railroad tracks could cause twist that the frame cannot handle. Not warranty work. Will be insurance.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Yikes. That's going to be quite a job to do. Let us know what the insurance company has to say.

Railroad tracks in Indiana have historically been awful to drive over. Ever since I was a kid (and I'm 71 years old now), it was always the standing rule when crossing a RR track to crawl over them because they are always so uneven.

Since then there have been improvements, but you just never know when you will come upon a really rugged RR crossing. Especially when towing a trailer you've got to remember to take it even easier when the trailer tires hit. It's easy to forget once the tow vehicle passes. over you still have 40 feet behind you.

What's horrifying to see is people who blatantly don't care about their vehicles and go zooming over these same tracks. It's a wonder they don't bottom out and blow their tires at the same time.

Different parts of the country have massively better and smoother RR track crossings. Regardless, whenever I come up to one, especially when traveling with the trailer, I still take them at a crawl. I can tell it makes people mad behind me, but THEY are not the ones paying for any damage that happens.

 

[newadven2023]

Brief update, dropped off the Monty at the dealership last Thursday. Adjuster arrived about 10 minutes after we let. Should know something in couple of days.

 

[Kfinnert]

In April, I retrieved my Monty from Affinity in Goshen, Indiana, after they repaired the frame. Quite the job, but they did a good repair, and mine hauls so much better than before. I would be interested in what the insurance adjuster tells you!

 

[RetiredandRollin]

Wow, that looks pretty significant. I may have read that wrong, it happens, but did you say you dropped it off at the "Dealer"? If so, I don't care who it is, I wouldn't let a "Dealer" touch my RV for this type of significant structural damage repair; NEVER!! Once you get your quote, or do it now, call Affinity RV Group in Indiana and get them to do the repairs. They work hand in hand with the manufacturer and they are the authority (in my humble opinion) on frame repairs, FLOOR CROWNING (which is what appears to be happening in your unit), and anything Montana related. Floor Crowning occurs in models with elevated dens or kitchens in which the "outriggers" that support the side walls fail from bouncing forcing the floor to crown up in the middle which in turn cracks aluminum welds in interior framing; its a mess. Call and speak to Tammy or Squeak and send them the pictures, there aren't many repairs out there they haven't done or seen. They are NOT MAGICIANS but definitely the best in the business, again my opinion. (574)971-5543 Affinity RV Group 2380 E Kercher Road, Goshen, Indiana 46526

 

[Kfinnert]

I whole heartedly agree with RetiredandRollin. Affinity is the best location for frame repairs! Everyone there has years of experience behind them!

They did exceptional work repairing my broken frame.

 

[Daryles]

Following

 

[newadven2023]

Thanks for the input. Don't want repair. Want it gone. From our insurance inspection:

Photos verify failure along the weld seam with visible oxidation/rust present on portions of the exposed fracture surface. The insulation has torn away and the floor framing that is welded to the frame has separated due to factory weld failure causing structure and flooring to drop down and stairs to shift.

Rig is unsafe to tow.

 

[RetiredandRollin]

Great information, thanks for sharing. Just out of curiosity, is the last sentence in your post a "you" statement or did the adjuster literally put that in writing on his report? The reason for my question is are they classifying your unit as a "total loss"?

 

[newadven2023]

My statement based on information and opinions I sought from other experts.

 

[RetiredandRollin]

Thank you. I truly wish you the best.

 

[GreG L.]

I had a similar issue (aluminum structure in the overhang broke) resulting from an extreme emergency stop (cut off by a kid) on the freeway from 60 to 0.
Took it to the largest chain RV dealer, in Jacksonville FL (insurance required it, national contract). They kept it for 5 months and said it was fixed. Less than 1000 miles into an annual trip to CA it all came apart again. Limped the remaining 2000 miles with no bedroom slide working. Took it to the same chain in Sacramento and before I could say anything he said I can see they didn't fix it. They cut out the side wall did the repairs and just moving it around it broke again. They eventually found out that not only the structure was broken in several places the frame was also cracked. The frame manufacture sent a team out to evaluate the frame, then sent out a repair crew to weld it back up including some free welding and support that was not covered by the insurance. Total time down 11 months.
My advice is to have someone do a thronal frame inspection around where the structure issues are, it would be well worth a few hundred for the peace of mind.

 

[RMcNeal]

I had the same experience with mine at the same RV dealer in Jacksonville, FL. The kept cutting out the hole larger and larger until I finally insisted that Keystone do the repair. They arranged for the unit to be taken to Elkhart, repaired and brought back to me. They also repaired a few other things I didn't even know about. They actually did a fantastic job on the repair and no trouble with the broken frame since.

 

[RetiredandRollin]

I had a similar issue (aluminum structure in the overhang broke) resulting from an extreme emergency stop (cut off by a kid) on the freeway from 60 to 0.
Took it to the largest chain RV dealer, in Jacksonville FL (insurance required it, national contract). They kept it for 5 months and said it was fixed. Less than 1000 miles into an annual trip to CA it all came apart again. Limped the remaining 2000 miles with no bedroom slide working. Took it to the same chain in Sacramento and before I could say anything he said I can see they didn't fix it. They cut out the side wall did the repairs and just moving it around it broke again. They eventually found out that not only the structure was broken in several places the frame was also cracked. The frame manufacture sent a team out to evaluate the frame, then sent out a repair crew to weld it back up including some free welding and support that was not covered by the insurance. Total time down 11 months.
My advice is to have someone do a thronal frame inspection around where the structure issues are, it would be well worth a few hundred for the peace of mind.

Not making light of what was probably a "not so fun" trip, but Holy Moly how do you "LIMP" for 2000 miles? Wow, glad everything worked out.

 

[RetiredandRollin]

I had the same experience with mine at the same RV dealer in Jacksonville, FL. The kept cutting out the hole larger and larger until I finally insisted that Keystone do the repair. They arranged for the unit to be taken to Elkhart, repaired and brought back to me. They also repaired a few other things I didn't even know about. They actually did a fantastic job on the repair and no trouble with the broken frame since.

If I was a betting man, which I'm not, I would say "Keystone" did not do the repairs themselves. They farm all their real serious stuff up the road to Affinity RV Group which in my opinion is smart of Keystone and very good for the customer. Eitherway, glad everything worked out. Safe travels