Problem with welds breaking on an Open Road 5th Wheel

RSS
Email

0 Kudo

Author	Comment
FireballTed	Pin Box	#21	[-]
Posts: 30 (05/19/08 20:43:40) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	There was a lot of discussion on RV Basics about problems with the pin box. Remember, Pilgrim is just like the other manufacturers and buy there frames from outside sources. So when your failure occurred with the Pin Box, did this damage the frame or was the frame bent during travel? We all should have our dealer check this area out just for our own peace of mind. I know for us in the Atlanta Area, we have a GREAT Pilgrim Dealer in Brown's Camping and they know these units inside and out and so far Jim has not seen any major problems in this area. Before we head North for the Rally, I'm having our check out for second time just to be on the safe side. That's is for now Folks FireballTed
ratracer327	for safety sake!	#22	[-]
Posts: 23 (05/20/08 04:14:02) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi, I've been following this saga for a while and what comes to mind, after Fireballs post, is a visual check of the area around the pin box should be done before starting any days drive. A bright flash light to be able to see into the area around the pin box is the only tool needed to check for stress cracks. For those who would want to go a bit further, have your dealer, or for the handy sorts, cut an inspection door into the area around the pin box. Another area to check for stress cracksis where the axles attach to the frame. This area gets alot of side stress when making turns and especially when backing into tight sites and having to kink the trailer at a sharp angle. Ratracer327
Travlbugg	resolution to our problems	#23	[-]
Posts: 8 (06/16/08 08:27:54) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Well we finally know what is going to happen to resolve our problem regarding the frame and broken welds. The unit goes into the dealers shop on Nov 1st and will be in there for approximately a month. It could be longer however, it just depends on how long it takes for the frame to be repaired. Apparently they plan to replace the metal framework under the whole gooseneck area, with a heavier material. The closet walls in the bedroom need replacing as does the floor in the closet. I am sure once they remove the outer skin and see what lies underneath, they will find more damage than they had anticipated. Guess its a wait and see situation. Thanks so much to everyone for the support and kind words through this whole ordeal. Fortunately, we are able to stay in the unit throughout the camping season and fulfill our contract as campground managers. We close our park on Oct 31st and the unit goes via flat bed on the 1st of Nov. Happy trails to all of you and take care! Debbi
dwhite17		#24	[-]
Posts: 6 (06/17/08 10:38:26) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I just wanted to ad we had a open road 339 05 unit. It was a great fiver but did have a couple issues that in the end all made since. From day one it had a few allignment problems and a flue that wouldn't line up. But the catalyst was we took it out of storage one day and had a terrible noise from the unit. Our dealer looked at it and said we had a bent frame that was about 5 inches out of plum. Our back axle had shifted about 2 inches. Our dealer said in short your unit is totaled, we were shocked, we had just returned from a trip and only had it in storage three days. It was a lippert frame, our insurance covered it and we purchased a Legend 37qb which we really enjoy. Pilgrim has been great to deal in the past and that is why we didn't hesitate to buy there product again. Were also going to the rally and looking forward to seeing people again from last years rally.
bucket of frys		#25	[-]
Posts: 160 (06/17/08 18:25:02) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Looking forward to seeing those that can make the rally. Guess we will all be looking at an then keeping an eye on our weld joints. All I can say is we pull ours into some tight squeezes and we would not trade it for anything but another brand. Bucket FRY 2004 Open Road 357-RLDS
ratracer327	Update	#26	[-]
Posts: 28 (07/01/08 11:33:16) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	As mentioned before, I've been following the saga of the pin box failure, of the people from Canada. This prompted me to do some more research on the frame issues. I contacted my dealer, who indicated he has only seen one case of frame problems which required sending the trailer back to the factory!. Further research on the web found issues with Keystone trailers and a a thread on RV Net about cracks in the frames of one of the new toy haulers. One of the replies mentioned that Lippert had a recall on frames manufactured between 2000 and 2004. I'm not sure if they actually had a published recall, but an e-mail to Lippert about my 2004 Open Road got a reply that sure indicated they were aware of a problem with frames made during those years! They have suggested to me I get an appointment my dealer to have my frame and pin box area thoroughly inspected and to have the dealer contact them prior to the inspection, as per their instructions! I would suggest that anyone who has a 2003, or early to mid year 2004 unit, have your units inspected for bad welds, fatigue cracks, etc. An inspection is safer than waiting for the pin box to stay hooked to your hitch and the trailer to find it's own way down the road! Ratracer327
Travlbugg	The broken welds people now have broken hearts....	#27	[-]
Posts: 9 (08/12/08 09:03:26) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	It sure is sad to hear the news about Pilgrim closing down, especially since our rig has not been repaired yet! We have been told that the repairs will cost between 8 and 10 thousand dollars and now the dealer where we purchased the unit is not sure about doing the work! With Pilgrim closing its doors, who will pay for the cost of the rebuild? Lippert will do the frame, as far as we know, but the walls in the bedroom as well as the floor repair and underside of the gooseneck and front cone piece, all need work. This is very upsetting for us, the unit is three years old and here we sit. I sure hope there is no one else in a similar situation. If all else fails, I guess we park it for the rest of its days and use it as a spare room. Take care and happy trails, Debbi
HEH802		#28	[-]
Posts: 30 (08/12/08 15:43:03) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Has anyone removed the sheeting around the pin box themselves? I believe I'm going to do that this weekend so I can get a good look in there. It looks like you remove the screws around the pin box opening, down each side, and on the metal strip that goes from one side to the other near where the sheeting begins to bend down to the top of the front storage door. My question is about the front part where the sheeting meats the front cap, I cannot see any screws and it feels like a rubber molding of some type. Is it like some car moldings and press fitted into place or something else? It does have caulking on both sides of this piece. Also, looking up into that area with a flashlight around the pin box opening, it appears there is no type of insulation in there. I can see some of the floor decking where it did not get covered with the black plastic stuff. That is another reason I want to remove the sheeting. If I do not have any insulation underneath my floor decking, I will add some. Any help or tips on this front molding strip is greatly appreciated. Hal
openroad396	who will pay for the repairs	#29	[-]
Posts: 12 (08/13/08 16:43:10) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi Travlbugg: Did you purchase the extended warranty from your dealer when you purchased your RV? We purchased a plan called "Extra Ride" the Platinum edition will cover tire replacement, and many repairs. You may want to check your policy if you did. Also I would fight it to the max with Lippert, their defective frames caused the resultant problems that you have had to deal with. I know how frustrating that this may be but it is worth a try. Since so many manufacturers are going out of business, it will probably be a good idea to carry this extra coverage. Good Luck and keep us posted Betty Open Road 396
Travlbugg		#30	[-]
Posts: 10 (08/25/08 07:30:18) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hal., it is not an easy feat to remove that skin, believe me. There are adhesives on the underside of the sheeting and once you break the seal, its tough to get it back on. It sure is worthwhile to check things though. Debbi
Travlbugg		#31	[-]
Posts: 11 (08/25/08 07:37:40) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi Betty, no we did not purchase an extra warranty. It would not cover in a case like this anyway, we have been told. We had a conversation with the dealership we purchased the unit from, on Saturday and it seems all is in order. They will take the unit in Nov 1st and begin the reconstruction process. Lippert Manufacturing is covering the costs for the frame repair and we are assuming they are covering the other costs with regard to the walls and floor repairs. The bedroom slide is not running smoothly so something is probably out of whack due to the bent frame of the RV. We are hoping that we get a "clean bill of health" once all is done and that we can resume rv'ing with peace of mind. Thanks for the note! I will be sure to update folks as time goes by. Debbi

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Yuku free message boards

Problem with welds breaking on an Open Road 5th Wheel

Quick Reply