very sad day

[razor 68]

Bought a 2018 Keystone Laredo 330RL new on 6/17. A year later a weld broke on my backside big slide. Keystone repaired it luckily. Just a couple months ago a weld broke on my frontside big slide -then a couple weeks ago the weld rebroke on my backside big slide! WOW! Have been researching this and am told that the aluminum vertical beam that the lower pulleys are attached to only get welded to the aluminum horizontal beam on one side and IT BREAKS LOOSE! Has anyone ever encountered this issue or am I just that lucky? This is a big beautiful travel trailer that is loaded to the hilt but is extremely discouraging since we shelled out 40K in 2017 to purchase it. Any advice from long time RVers would be greatly appreciated. This is our fourth camper so we are not newbees but have never had any issues like this!

[Canonman]

Sorry to hear about your problems. Broken welds are significant and not always easily repaired. Especially aluminum welds. It takes a person well trained in welding aluminum to do it properly. I'd suggest looking for a shop that might specialize in welding aluminum and get their thoughts. You are probably outside the warranty so it shouldn't matter who you have do the work. If the slides were improperly built or installed there may be a chance for a reimbursement claim. But you will need an expert opinion before that can happen.

[wegone]

Bummer, can you possible add more material like a stringer to these welds without effecting its operation?

[razor 68]

Do not know yet. Think I am gonna remove the interior panels myself so I can have a look. I own a auto repair shop and am friends with the guy who Heli arcs aluminum. Hopefully we can get it done.Any way we can reinforce it we will.

[chuckster57]

We just did a Montana a couple months ago. Ended up removing the room, the screws holding the cable channel to the wall twisted and allowed the welds to break.

[razor 68]

Thank you for your service-a very unappreciated occupation now a days. Hope I do not have to pull the whole slide but it is what it is. Nice camper-has to be fixed regardless.

[chuckster57]

If you have a forklift, it’s not that hard. I can walk you through it as I have done a few, along with other types.

[wiredgeorge]

I believe you can rent a piece of equipment to pull out the slide. I don't believe you could do it any other way than a forklift of similar. Here is a San Antonio site that rents this type stuff and it doesn't look too expensive. Just have to know how to run the machine you rent I guess.

https://www.forkliftrentalusa.com/tx/san-antonio.php

I worked for a printing company while in High School. I delivered pallets of pages or paper to the bindery or printer and I used a gizmo (can't recall exact name) but you didn't have to drive it, it was self propelled and could easily reach high enough to grab a slide and lower it while you worked on the welding. Jack stacker? (geesh it was over 50 years ago...). I feel I could use one of those things today with little ramp up time.

Heck, at one time I could have welded the frame and additional bracing as I was a certified mig welder and welded auto/truck exhaust systems while going to college. If cracks are braced up and tack welded, a nice bead will not be difficult as the aluminum on the frames is fairly thick and a decent welder can easily knock this type job out. I would likely weld another piece for structural integrity and a guy from a fabrication show might be your best bet as they know how to add bracing.

[Mikendebbie]

Razor 68 - there are several videos on YouTube for “Keystone factory tour” where they show the slides going in with forklifts. The video “Home with the Hoopers - Montana factory tour” shows it…maybe other videos show other brands. Those factory guys handle the slide box as easy as putting a shoe box on a shelf in your garage.

I had a 2017 Laredo 330RL. It was a very nice trailer. We had a bad experience with a warranty fix. The toilet leaked and rotted the bathroom floor. Dealer fixed it but it was an unpleasant ordeal. DW was ready to get rid of it and we traded it to another dealer for our current rig. Happy wife…etc etc.

[chuckster57]

George- you would be suprised at how thin wall the aluminum tubing in the frames are.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

George- you would be suprised at how thin wall the aluminum tubing in the frames are.

I mig welded exhaust pipes which are probably about as thin. My frame is not tubing either. How is tubing used on the newer 5th wheels? My frame is fairly thick steel... not going out and crawling under right now as it is kind of sprinkling but will take a digital caliper and measure the thickness of the frame (no covering for much of the underside).

[chuckster57]

Next one we open up for structure repair, I’ll take pics with calipers.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

George- you would be suprised at how thin wall the aluminum tubing in the frames are.

I just today took my Laredo to the dealer today to repair the wall next to the slide. I suspect a broken weld also, as you described a couple months ago. I printed your comments and gave them to the service supervisor. He will investigate and see if Keystone will honor the 3 year structure warranty. I purchased it new 2 years, 10 months ago. Wish me well!

[Pathfinder75]

Yes been there with 2017 Montana High Country 353RL. Returned to factory fall 2019 in Goshen IN. for 2 months for repair. Slide removed to weld wall framing.
Fast forward to Spring 2022 it repeated same issue in same spot.
SELF repair using Orange painted aluminum plate on exterior and 3" steel angle on interior.
Bolted through sill plate and wall stud to tie wall together where weld broke again.
NOTICE little evidence in photo of a full weld only see broken short welds possibly another behind slide seal.
I hope to pull slide in 2023 and do a proper weld with gussets to tie this together.. I believe I will continue using bolts also but maybe change steel angle piece to something more attractive. Bolts clamp two plates together securing the stud to sill joint. While sill plate was secure to floor I took the safe route and reinforced this by lag bolting iron angle plate to the floor also. Pictures (1-3 are upside down SORRY loaded them twice don't understand) show 1. broken weld 2. Close up of weld 3. Orange aluminum plate outside 4. Rust colored steel angle inside. Bolted through wall reinforcing wall frame.
No issues in 2022 following repair to prevent further damage.
Multiple emails and answers from Keystone regarding their failed repair but no offers to make it right.
Don't think I will wait for Rally to address issue in person. But maybe I will since my repair is doing well so far. Has about 4K miles on repair. Short travel only because of diesel cost this year.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Well good news for me. Keystone approved repairing my wall just before the 3 year structure warranty runs out. They are not removing the slide, only the J wrap. It is then being welded and a gusset welded to hold it in place. Hopefully that will work and it will hold.

[Max23]

That is great news!!! Reaffirms a little faith in Keystone for all of us. Good for you, glad to hear it!!

[razor 68]

Letting you all know about the 330RL with the slide issues. both big slides have now broken welds inside the walls. Keystone has agreed to get it repaired as a good faith gesture. But local RV shop has not had any luck. They installed some braces Keystone sent but the walls still move. It was at that dealer for 8 months. Last Wednesday Keystone had me take it to Camping World 45 miles away and see if they can figure how to do the repairs. We will see how it goes.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by razor 68

Letting you all know about the 330RL with the slide issues. both big slides have now broken welds inside the walls. Keystone has agreed to get it repaired as a good faith gesture. But local RV shop has not had any luck. They installed some braces Keystone sent but the walls still move. It was at that dealer for 8 months. Last Wednesday Keystone had me take it to Camping World 45 miles away and see if they can figure how to do the repairs. We will see how it goes.

As I noted in post 15 I had the same issue. The local dealer repaired it by removing the"J" wrap and bringing in a welder. He welded the wall back in place and welded a gusset to reinforce it. No problems since then. This was done with Keystone guidance.

[JRTJH]

If Camping World fails to find a reasonable solution, rather than spend the next 8 months waiting, have you considered suggesting that Keystone inspect and repair the trailer at the Goshen plant ????

From White Hall to Goshen is about a 6 hour drive. Even making the trip two times, once to deliver the trailer and again to pick it up and bring it home, you're talking 24 hours vs 8 months.....

Hopefully, CW will find the solution and fix your trailer permanently, but if they don't, after 2 years of "hassle with dealership service centers", I'd push for Keystone to "fix it at the factory".... They'll likely resist paying transportation, but might be agreeable if you can get the trailer there and then pick it up when repaired.....

[CedarCreekWoody]

If you live that close I strongly suggest you follow John's advice and let the factory do the repair.