Broken welds on pin box and frame

[kaspin2330]

Hi, I am new to the forum, but had searched on Google to find some threads on this issue. We bought a used 2014 Keystone Sprinter 5th Wheel in 2015. It was very lightly used when we bought it. We are not heavy campers, had used it maybe 2-4 times a year and each trip is usually a few hundred miles. We did take it from Seattle to Texas shortly after we bought it. Worked great. We were on our 2nd trip from Seattle to Texas this June/July 2020 to visit my parents. We got to Las Vegas when I noticed the pin box seemed to be sitting lower in the back of my truck and then when we took a fairly sharp corner, the pin box caught the truck bed rail. We drove it to a camping world in Las Vegas. They looked at it and found the pin box welds on both sides were busted and then after taking the underside sheeting off, they found that the frame was cracked and splitting. We were not carrying anymore than normal. We filed a claim with keystone and they talked to Lippert and they only warranty their frames for 1 yr. Keystone is still investigating, but not holding out hope. I am trying to plan ahead if they deny my claim. Where would I have my trailer taken to to get the frame fixed? I don't even know where to start. I thought a RV accident repair place would do the work. I don't know if Camping World is really a body repair shop, since they already told me they would not be able to fix it. Anyone know what I can do to get it fixed should I be on my own (no help from Keystone)?? Any advice is welcomed.

Attaching pictures taken by Camping World.

Thanks,
Keith

[roadglide]

It’s confusing it looks like from one picture it was ripped open by accident. The broken area can you take a picture looking at the pin box from the front?

[bobbecky]

You are just wasting your time talking to either Keystone or Lippert. As second owners of a 6 year old trailer, you have no claim with either one. Just find a good welder to make repairs and move on. Some years ago, we had a broken frame, and found a mobile RV tech who is also a welder. He came to our site, repaired the frame issue, and decided to drop the pin box to check, and found many cracked welds. He spent about an hour grinding and then welding all the cracks. Nothing has broken since then as he made things much stronger than when it was new. This happened over four years ago.

[kaspin2330]

Unfortunately I am not in Las Vegas with the RV. We are back home in Seattle area. I don't have any pictures from the front of the pin box, just the side. I am attaching those.

[JRTJH]

I'd suspect that if you didn't tow that trailer over some extremely rough roads, then it wasn't exactly a "very lightly used" trailer when you bought it. It takes some pretty serious potholes or road construction "drop-offs" to do that kind of damage.

As for contacting Keystone or Lippert, about all they can (or will) do for you is suggest you contact a competent welder. There is no "warranty after 6 years on a used trailer component to the second owner". Even the roof membrane's 12 year warranty is restricted "to the original owner".

As for the broken pinbox, it can be repaired by any welder that knows what he's doing. I'd suggest talking to several local (where the trailer is located) RV service centers, ask who they use for their welding requirements and talk to several of those welders to see if they are willing to take on the repair. Then I'd "very carefully" tow the trailer to that welder and expect a pretty substantial repair bill.

If you have a "inclusive insurance policy" you might contact your agent and ask if this sort of damage is covered by your insurance. Few do, but it's worth the time to ask.

Expect $1000 - 3000 in repair costs.

[gearhead]

As John said call your insurance agent.
It will be a challenge to do this if you're in Seattle and the trailer is in Las Vegas. A transport driver will likely be a bit nervous about towing it to a weld shop. You may have to drive down there after you have made arrangements with a welder.

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by bobbecky

You are just wasting your time talking to either Keystone or Lippert. As second owners of a 6 year old trailer, you have no claim with either one. Just find a good welder to make repairs and move on. Some years ago, we had a broken frame, and found a mobile RV tech who is also a welder. He came to our site, repaired the frame issue, and decided to drop the pin box to check, and found many cracked welds. He spent about an hour grinding and then welding all the cracks. Nothing has broken since then as he made things much stronger than when it was new. This happened over four years ago.

Lol Im a retired welded designed for uranium companies and coal companies. Welding in that position with a short sleeve shirt is miserable I don’t know how he stood there welding with no protection excellent picture

[flybouy]

Yup, I have a scar about the size of a #2 pencil eraser on my right arm in the crease of the elbow. Got that welding overhead in a position that I couldn't get out of quickly. The little ball of weld just burned in to where I had to pluck it out with tweezers. Sort of like getting hit with bird shot. I was about 22 yrs old. That was the last time I did that no matter how hot I used leather cape sleeves after that.

[77cruiser]

His arms either have callouses or they look like measles.

[HIDE-EE]

I just found this after a search for broken welds. I just got back from a trip. On the way out we noticed the cabinet side in the bed room was bowed and busted out. My first thought was something structural happed but I couldn’t see anything obvious at that time. When we got back today and I unhooked the pin box creeked a lot. I looked underneath and saw what looks like the same issue this guy had. The weld have basically ripped out and the frame is cracked. I don’t know if there is any other damage yet. Live in Northern California. Terrible roads are what I drive on. It can’t be avoided. Someone mentioned the frame warranty is 1 year? Keystone structural is 3 years tho? If this isn’t structural then what is covers by the “structural warranty “. Any info will help, calling dealer on Monday. 3 years will be up later this month. Have 2019 hideout 303 RLI fifth wheel.

[BookPaul74]

Now you guys have me nervous with the used 2014 Cougar 337FLS. I’ve been nervous about buy one on a Lippert frame. Will be getting out the bright light to look around, especially with some of the dirt roads I was on this winter.

[Mikeiver]

Did you contact your insurance agent? If so what did they say. I have the same issue going on and wondering what to do. Thanks

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Mikeiver

Did you contact your insurance agent? If so what did they say. I have the same issue going on and wondering what to do. Thanks

Welcome to the forum. Realize this thread started over 3 years ago....