2018 305RL Frame is broken and I need help

Benny · 10-02-2021, 12:02 PM

My 2018 Montana High Country 305RL has been out of operation for over a year now. Last Sept I enlisted the help of my dealer to get Lipperts attention regarding my broken
Frame. They had ignored my calls to them like Lippert has done this year as well.
Lippert response is at best a 1 out of five. After several months working through my dealer. Where I sent dozens of photos, descriptions, ect. Lippert sent out a welder to verify my Montana High Country frame made by Lippart in 2018 is cracking apart.
He came out in January 2019.It took that long to get their attention to my problem. I understand Covid was an issue, but now they won't even respond. It is stuck in place because it is unsafe to pull safely. Does someone have a number to lippart corporate that will work.
After Lippart came out, they have refused to return my calls. Luckily, I used Black Cat scales to avoid over loading and even a Smart weight buy Escapees. No adjustments needed. All under the weights on the name plate. The frame was delivered with bad welds as per the lippart tech. I have attached an example where the welds were sub par at best and negligent at worst.
Surely they are past covid and back to work. It has now been a year last month since I started trying to get this broken RV Fixed.

notanlines · 10-02-2021, 03:08 PM

Benny, this will probably be of no help to you, but click on https://www.5thwheelforums.com/forum...ead.php?t=4417
and maybe PM the member with the frame problem. You can use the cred's from this site. It is another sister forum that virtually no one (almost) ever posts, but are reasonably knowledgeable people involved in this thread.

Benny · 10-03-2021, 08:54 AM

thanks I will give it a truy

wegone · 10-09-2021, 03:00 PM

Have you tried a attorney?

BookPaul74 · 10-09-2021, 03:28 PM

Have you tried a welder?

rhagfo · 10-09-2021, 05:11 PM

I think at one month I would have sent notice to Lippert that I was going ahead with repairs, hired a welder to do the work and sent them the bill.

jasin1 · 10-09-2021, 05:20 PM

What exactly are you trying to get resolved? Are you asking for a couple of welds to be fixed ..rewelded and inspected or are you trying to get a new trailer? And that’s why they won’t talk to you anymore?
At some point I’d just fix them myself it has to be cheaper then all the aggravation

**sourdough** · 10-09-2021, 05:36 PM

The issues I see are probably poor welds BUT looking at that gas line and what the RV may or may not have been subjected to environmentally (no I don't live in a salt belt) I figure Lippert is a bit standoffish.

I would never consider grounding the RV "for a year or from now on" due to what you've provided. After Lippert seemed to wash their hands of me, after their warranty had expired, a pro would have had that fixed. Not trying to be judgmental but more realistic. I wish you the best of luck but I would have that repaired and be on the road with no worries. Send them a bill, hope for the best, expect the worst but enjoy the RV.

Benny · 10-12-2021, 06:06 AM

I have brought out three professional welders. One certified by lippert. One that repairs construction trailers, All three agreed it is unsafe. All three refused to work this mess until they had instructions from the manufacturer. How do you repair a sheet metal I bean look alike. Do I need added crossmembers. A lawyer could easily run over 10,000. For a repair I feel should be under 3,000 makes no sense. Also I had a man from a boat yard but he wanted to replace the fake I beams with real ones making my trailer overweight with the current suspension.

roadglide · 10-12-2021, 07:55 AM

I agree nobody should touch until warranty work and liability has been resolved. I would First put 3/16 strap plate underneath on the inside for backing plate you will need to remove the under belly. . And then weld it up on the outside and grind . I would use another 3/16 plate and fit it inside the I beam intermittent weld on the top and bottom do not weld the ends . I have a lot of welding tool and clamps from the uranium mines in the 70s and a retired shop welder from the coal mining days . I know it will be very difficult because I have welded under the back of my toy hauler from overloading and light weight construction material.

wiredgeorge · 10-12-2021, 09:25 AM

I just googled and saw that Lippert warranties frames for one year unless I read their warranty wrong.
https://www.granddesignrv.com/sites/...20Warranty.pdf

Find a welder and get 'er done. Don't think Lippert will bring the cavalry in on your broken frame.

rhagfo · 10-12-2021, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benny

My 2018 Montana High Country 305RL has been out of operation for over a year now. Last Sept I enlisted the help of my dealer to get Lipperts attention regarding my broken
Frame. They had ignored my calls to them like Lippert has done this year as well.
Lippert response is at best a 1 out of five. After several months working through my dealer. Where I sent dozens of photos, descriptions, ect. Lippert sent out a welder to verify my Montana High Country frame made by Lippart in 2018 is cracking apart.
He came out in January 2019.It took that long to get their attention to my problem. I understand Covid was an issue, but now they won't even respond. It is stuck in place because it is unsafe to pull safely. Does someone have a number to lippart corporate that will work.
After Lippart came out, they have refused to return my calls. Luckily, I used Black Cat scales to avoid over loading and even a Smart weight buy Escapees. No adjustments needed. All under the weights on the name plate. The frame was delivered with bad welds as per the lippart tech. I have attached an example where the welds were sub par at best and negligent at worst.
Surely they are past covid and back to work. It has now been a year last month since I started trying to get this broken RV Fixed.

You had a wielder out and inspected it in 2019, and have been without it’s use since then? That is approaching three years, get a wielder and be done with it!!!
I would have had a wielder fix it at about two months.

cenders · 10-17-2021, 08:07 AM

Have you spoken with your insurance company?

Mikelff · 10-17-2021, 08:59 AM

You have two choices. If you have documented that you notified Lippert of frame defects while still under warranty, you should at least consult with an attorney. They should be able to tell you the procedure/ steps they would take, the strength of your case, and give you your options and potential costs. You will need a copy of your frame warranty. Likely, they would first send a letter to Lippert. Second option is to have the repairs done yourself, try to recoup costs, but at least and get out and enjoy your RV.

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