REPAIRED: Structural Problem?
- Thread starter StrongJava
- Start date
JohnD
Moved on to the next thing...
Re: Structural Problem?
Maybe you could upload it to YouTube or something like that.
I have my own web space and have plenty of room to upload it there as well.
Let me know and I'll give you my email address where you can send the video.
Maybe you could upload it to YouTube or something like that.
I have my own web space and have plenty of room to upload it there as well.
Let me know and I'll give you my email address where you can send the video.
StrongJava
Well-known member
Re: Structural Problem?
I had a vimeo account so I uploaded it there. If that doesn't work for someone, I can upload it to youtube also.
https://vimeo.com/113325508
I had a vimeo account so I uploaded it there. If that doesn't work for someone, I can upload it to youtube also.
https://vimeo.com/113325508
StrongJava
Well-known member
Re: Structural Problem?
Thank you all. Your experience is making me more knowledgeable and confident of what I'm seeing. The video is with the Heartland rep and he has forwarded it to Lippert.
My hypothesis remains that the dealer I bought the rig from knew, or should have known, there was enough movement in the pin box, combined with the (albeit) minor damage in the closet, to indicate a serious problem with the pin box. And that, given the highway I experienced, this extra improper movement in the front end of the trailer amplified the forces imparted upon the frame welds and crossbars, causing them, previously weakened or not, to break.
If any of you seasoned veterans believe I'm misunderstanding the engineering of these things, please let me know.
And again, thank you.
Tim
Thank you all. Your experience is making me more knowledgeable and confident of what I'm seeing. The video is with the Heartland rep and he has forwarded it to Lippert.
My hypothesis remains that the dealer I bought the rig from knew, or should have known, there was enough movement in the pin box, combined with the (albeit) minor damage in the closet, to indicate a serious problem with the pin box. And that, given the highway I experienced, this extra improper movement in the front end of the trailer amplified the forces imparted upon the frame welds and crossbars, causing them, previously weakened or not, to break.
If any of you seasoned veterans believe I'm misunderstanding the engineering of these things, please let me know.
And again, thank you.
Tim
wdk450
Well-known member
Re: Structural Problem?
Tim:
I have a 2008 production Bighorn and have suffered through both pinbox frame flex (2013) and suspension area I beams bending over (2014). While Heartland did agree to fix the pinbox frame flex at the plant for me, the plant was about a 5000 mile round trip from California. I hope they fix this for you at the plant, although I thought I had read on this forum that such repairs were limited to the original owner. If you end up having to pay for this, the total estimate by my local RV repairer was $3500 in 2012. Make sure they weld in triangular steel "gussets" at all major frame stress points.
If you are paying for having any welding done, spend a few hundred more proactively and have crossbracing and gussets welded to your spring hangars and I beams, to prevent the I beams rolling over to the side, and the axles shifting, like what happened to me.
Tim:
I have a 2008 production Bighorn and have suffered through both pinbox frame flex (2013) and suspension area I beams bending over (2014). While Heartland did agree to fix the pinbox frame flex at the plant for me, the plant was about a 5000 mile round trip from California. I hope they fix this for you at the plant, although I thought I had read on this forum that such repairs were limited to the original owner. If you end up having to pay for this, the total estimate by my local RV repairer was $3500 in 2012. Make sure they weld in triangular steel "gussets" at all major frame stress points.
If you are paying for having any welding done, spend a few hundred more proactively and have crossbracing and gussets welded to your spring hangars and I beams, to prevent the I beams rolling over to the side, and the axles shifting, like what happened to me.
StrongJava
Well-known member
Re: Structural Problem?
Thank you Bill. I may come back to you with more questions as this moves along. For example, can you elaborate on what you mean by "suspension area I beams bending over"?
I'm concerned about causing further damage (assuming it is even safe) if I have to drive too far for the repairs since the frame is broken in at least one spot.
Tim
Thank you Bill. I may come back to you with more questions as this moves along. For example, can you elaborate on what you mean by "suspension area I beams bending over"?
I'm concerned about causing further damage (assuming it is even safe) if I have to drive too far for the repairs since the frame is broken in at least one spot.
Tim
wdk450
Well-known member
Re: Structural Problem?
See thread: //heartlandowners.org/showthread.php/48295-Badly-Bent-Frame-A-Trend?
See thread: //heartlandowners.org/showthread.php/48295-Badly-Bent-Frame-A-Trend?
StrongJava
Well-known member
Re: Structural Problem?
Good morning All, and I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Christmas/holiday time.
After too much back and forth with the dealer, I've taken the rig to another nearby business, one that sells Heartland products. They took the front skin off and I've attached a video here showing the condition. Some good news, perhaps, is that the tech indicated the pin box area looks good. The flexing appears to be coming from separated frame pieces. Earlier repairs (who knows when?) were done but the work was insufficient.
Any of your thoughts are welcome, especially any old (or younger!) welders out there.
Tim
https://vimeo.com/115292783
Good morning All, and I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Christmas/holiday time.
After too much back and forth with the dealer, I've taken the rig to another nearby business, one that sells Heartland products. They took the front skin off and I've attached a video here showing the condition. Some good news, perhaps, is that the tech indicated the pin box area looks good. The flexing appears to be coming from separated frame pieces. Earlier repairs (who knows when?) were done but the work was insufficient.
Any of your thoughts are welcome, especially any old (or younger!) welders out there.
Tim
https://vimeo.com/115292783
danemayer
Well-known member
Re: Structural Problem?
Hi Tim,
I'd suggest waiting for the Heartland/Lippert response before doing any repairs. From prior posts, I think front-end frame repairs can involve cutting into the side walls to do additional welding to strengthen the upper frame. Heartland may suggest doing those repairs at the factory.
Hi Tim,
I'd suggest waiting for the Heartland/Lippert response before doing any repairs. From prior posts, I think front-end frame repairs can involve cutting into the side walls to do additional welding to strengthen the upper frame. Heartland may suggest doing those repairs at the factory.
StrongJava
Well-known member
Re: Structural Problem?
Thanks Dan. Both Lippert and Heartland contacts have the video, and have been kept in the loop at each step. So far they're both declined to be involved in the repairs (too far out of warranty, second owner, etc). But they've both been responsive. The Heartland contact is just back in the office this morning so I hope to hear shortly from him regarding the video. The Lippert guy's only substantive comment on the video was that the aluminum piece going across the top is extra and not something they would have installed. One of a number of signs of previous work.
Thanks Dan. Both Lippert and Heartland contacts have the video, and have been kept in the loop at each step. So far they're both declined to be involved in the repairs (too far out of warranty, second owner, etc). But they've both been responsive. The Heartland contact is just back in the office this morning so I hope to hear shortly from him regarding the video. The Lippert guy's only substantive comment on the video was that the aluminum piece going across the top is extra and not something they would have installed. One of a number of signs of previous work.
StrongJava
Well-known member
Re: Structural Problem?
Yes, that is part of what I've been working towards. Thanks.
Yes, that is part of what I've been working towards. Thanks.
wdk450
Well-known member
Re: Structural Problem?
Tim:
I hope you show your welder how my welder used thick wall box tubing for the I-Beam repairs. I am no engineer, but I believe that this steel form has much more bending strength than the thinner I-Beams used in the trailer frame. The box tubing was welded to the existing good sections of the frame I-Beams. The welder is Roger Fletcher of Fletcher Fabrication, Cloverdale, Ca. 707-894-3892 .
Tim:
I hope you show your welder how my welder used thick wall box tubing for the I-Beam repairs. I am no engineer, but I believe that this steel form has much more bending strength than the thinner I-Beams used in the trailer frame. The box tubing was welded to the existing good sections of the frame I-Beams. The welder is Roger Fletcher of Fletcher Fabrication, Cloverdale, Ca. 707-894-3892 .
Re: Structural Problem?
Based on my personal experience with the frame flex your repair center needs to look a little deeper.
That aluminium framing its only there to frame out the front compartment. It provides no support.
As Dan mentioned most repairs involve cutting the skin off the sidewalls to access the steel frame.
Gussets are then welded there and in the front for additional strength.
Peace
Dave
Sent from my awesome Galaxy S5 using Tapatalk
Based on my personal experience with the frame flex your repair center needs to look a little deeper.
That aluminium framing its only there to frame out the front compartment. It provides no support.
As Dan mentioned most repairs involve cutting the skin off the sidewalls to access the steel frame.
Gussets are then welded there and in the front for additional strength.
Peace
Dave
Sent from my awesome Galaxy S5 using Tapatalk
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