New from Alaska

[AlaskaJim]

Hi
I'm not very familiar with the forum but will try to add to it. We towed our 2004 Montana 2955RL to the lower 48 during the winters of 2010/11 and 2012/13 with a 2007 Dodge 3500, 6.7L Cummins diesel. During our return trip this year the frame holding the hitch on our 5th broke.

Cost us $3,500 to get back on the road at Tok, AK. More repairs are needed too. Is this a common problem?

We were totally surprised and disappointed. We are not as positive about 5th wheels anymore and suspicious of 5th wheel frames.

I added two pictures of the crack in the 2"x6"x1/8" rectangular tubing.
jim from Eagle River

[theeyres]

No it is not a common problem and seems to be limited to a few brands that evidently did not specify heavy enough frames. While I certainly have no stats to back it up, it does seem that Montana is one of the few brands that consistently has had problems. Just do a search of this forum and you will see the Montana seems to be the one that comes up most often with frame problems.

It is not a problem just because it is a fifth wheel. Most are built very well.

[JRTJH]

:wlcm: to the forum and sorry to hear about your Fifth Wheel frame issues. There have been some members who have reported similar problems, but there have been many more who own fifth wheels with no problems. This includes Montana owners. The Alcan is a rough road, one that I hope to "conquer" next summer. It takes its toll on even the most well built RV's and every day owners of rigs of all kinds find problems caused by the Alcan.

I have a very good friend who bought a new Seabreeze motorhome in the mid 90's . She and two of her good friends went to Alaska via the Alcan. They vibrated half the front windshield out of the motorhome in the first 500 miles. Additionally, they lost 3 tires, a side window and one of the air conditioners came partly off the roof. Maybe Seabreeze is a poorly built motorhome, I just don't know, but the Alcan does make for potential problems even with "good" rigs.

Best wishes for complete repairs of your fifth wheel and no further problems.

[bucketman]

We want to drive to AK some day,,,,heard horror stories about the ALCAN many years ago, but thought that was fixed. Guess not!!

[crash]

Seems like a road issuse not camper,Just saying:D

[Kalico Daxx]

Welcome from Oregon! Sorry bout those frame issues..that just plain sux! Good luck. :wlcm: