2019 Alpine with structural problems

[JohnP70]

I have a 2019 Alpine 3710KP with broken welds on the cross-members in the undercarriage. We live full time in our 5th wheel and have been traveling around the United States for the past few years and have just noticed this while repairing the grey tank for the kitchen. The bolts holding up the tank sheared off. While underneath the carriage, I looked back and saw two truss members that had broken welds on the steel beams that run front to back. Has anyone ever come across something like this?

[wiredgeorge]

Here is an interesting article on Lippert frames.
..... (link removed, does not contain info about Lippert frames)

You might want to get a mobile welder out and have them look at what is needed as they will need to bring stock to shore up the places that were broken and perhaps any area that has not yet cracked/broken.

[vampress_me]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Here is an interesting article on Lippert frames.


You might want to get a mobile welder out and have them look at what is needed as they will need to bring stock to shore up the places that were broken and perhaps any area that has not yet cracked/broken.

I’m not thinking this is the article link you wanted to provide….

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by vampress_me

I’m not thinking this is the article link you wanted to provide….

Here I was thinking no one reads my posts... thanks for the heads up.

[ChuckS]

Yes I have seen issues with the Lippert Outriggers... Yes this needs repaired.

You can either order new brackets ( measure yours for correct PN to order ) or have a good welder/fabricator repair

Lippert Store Outrigger : https://store.lci1.com/right-hand-fr...rame-outrigger

[JohnP70]

I'm in Georgia at a campground and not sure I can trust anyone to do a good job. The cross truss is a very light gauge probably just for running cables and wires. Might be able to repair with heavy gauge angle and unistrut drilled and bolted until I get to Florida in November. Guess these highways are a bit too rough. The ends that broke free were just tacked without a vertical support which seemed odd.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by JohnP70

I'm in Georgia at a campground and not sure I can trust anyone to do a good job. The cross truss is a very light gauge probably just for running cables and wires. Might be able to repair with heavy gauge angle and unistrut drilled and bolted until I get to Florida in November. Guess these highways are a bit too rough. The ends that broke free were just tacked without a vertical support which seemed odd.

I'd suggest calling Lippert's Customer Service and discussing the problem with them. You may get told that it's a structural integrity issue and must be repaired for safety, or you may be told that it's not an issue that affects the trailer integrity or safety and that you'll be OK to continue towing "as is" until you get back home.....

Some of the truss locations are required to support the frame rails, others, as you stated, are pretty much nothing more than "cable runs" to keep things in place. No doubt they all support the floor above them, but as long as you're not "hosting a square dance troop" to perform in your trailer, the floor should not be an issue....

I'd call Lippert, send them your photos and get the "expert's opinioin" before delaying your trip, ordering parts and trying to find a welder while your reservations get cancelled as you wait for someone to repair your trailer.....