sirdrakejr

Las Vegas, Nevada

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Joined: 11/18/2001

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Superduty!!,
There was no problem with posts about a problem with a Lippert frame. The problem came from so many posts from the same people in threads that were negative to the point they appeared to be "bashing" the maker. It is much easier to confine the posts to one thread so I don't have to read all the threads that were started. If someone has a problem and has tried to get it resolved, that info should be posted with facts and not go into a tirade about how bad the company is. If they were as bad a some had depicted, they would not still be in business.
Frank
RV.net blog
For those of you looking for expert advice, here ya go!
Frank
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Irelands child

Any City

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Joined: 05/01/2006

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Two out of the three slides on my '06 Titanium 28E33TS are Lippert. One seldom works without a wrench nudge, the other, it went out of alignment between retractions regardless of the fact that the camper wasn't moved but it still works fine. The third slide is a cable operated AccuSlide which so far is trouble free.
The actual unit frame - still unsure of the manufacture, but so far again it is fine. The axles are Dexter and are fine
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MBOK

SE Texas

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Joined: 03/07/2004

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'07 16k Trailer W/lippert frame - no issues
'02 9k trailer W/leland frame - serious issues
'06 Truck LWB DRW - '07 37' 5th Wheel
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Mile High

Lone Tree, CO

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Joined: 02/05/2008

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2003 Lippert frame - problems with wall separation in bedroom 2 years after warranty; Keystone factory offered repair and transport to and from factory based on pictures only - months later had spring shackles bent, repaired at alignment shop - traded in for 2007 instead of factory repair.
2007 Lippert frame - no problems
Brad & Dory
2006 Ford F350 4X4 SB CC SRW Powerstroke 6.0
2007 Montana 3400RL 5th Wheel Our Rig - Our Mods
Visit Us, Our previous rig - 2003 2955RL
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catadjuster

Amarillo, Tx

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Joined: 04/04/2005

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Have 2004 Crossroads Silverado with Lippert Frame. Frame brok behing the rearmost axle hanger. The frame in the areas of the other hangers were cracked. Had the work completed out of warranty of course. Am also getting some concerns with the hitch area as there is movement and separation in the floor, closet wall, and bed slide area. Fiberglass on the underside of the overhang is buckling and the screws are shearing off. Wondering if I have the same hitch problem and the previous post photos show. Have not had the opportunity yet to tear into that area but plan to start soon.
04 Crossroads Silverado SF36MK, 5th Airborne pinbox
04 Dodge 3500 Quad Cab Long Bed 5.9 HO
Banks Monster Exhaust, Firestone Ride-Rite Air Springs
Fulltime
National Catastrophe Insurance Adjuster.
Home is anywhere at any time. Currently in Amarillo, TX
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fla-gypsy

North Florida

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Joined: 04/19/2005

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No problems with my Lippert frame
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
Camping Photos
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fordsooperdooty

Orange Kounty Kalifornia

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Joined: 08/13/2004

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Lippert Engineering is the #1 builder of RV frames for the Towable RV industry, a lot of major RV Manufacturers use them exclusively. It's very likely yours is too. Unless it's a Jayco...then mostly it's a Leland. And there's Norco industries who had a share of their own problems a few years ago with light weight frames...and a few other companies.
Class A motorhome frames are made by the big guys, Freightliner, Sparten, etc. These companies all have in house design and engineering teams that assure their products meet federal mandated standards for motor vehicle highway usage. Federal standards are adhered to for components and welding certification. Rarely do you hear of structural issues with these chassis.
Lippert Engineering has been chanting the same mantra for many years, when ever there are frame failures on their products being used by RV Manufacturers, Lippert is fond of throwing out the phrase "We just build the frames to the RV Manufacturers submitted specifications." Indicating that they are blameless when failures occur.
Yet the words "Engineering" is part of their name. 
Yet read this quote from Komfort RV, regarding Lippert Frames used on their trailers..."All our chassis are designed for maximum strength-per-pound and rigorously tested by an independent structural engineering firm, using advanced computer-modeling techniques. They are produced by Lippert Mfg., the largest manufacturer of trailers chassis frames in North America." Do other manufacturers take this additional step as Komfort does to see how well your RV frame chassis is made? Likely not.
Here is the official statement and disclaimer direct quote from Lippert-
"LIPPERT COMPONENTS relies upon the engineering professionals of those that purchase its Products to design and specify a Product of sufficient size,
dimension, strength and durability to support the structure the Purchaser intends to place upon the Product, and to design and specify a Product that is sufficient and adequate to function in the role the Purchaser intends to use and/or produced by its Purchasers and builds Products pursuant to those design specifications."
Built to a price point, with the lowest bidder winning....just like your home town sewer system! Or most consumer products sold today!
Ethical? Maybe not! Legal...yep! 
Do RV companies even have frames designed by actual structural engineers? Probable not. So who's ultimate responsibility is the quality of the RV trailer frame?
The frame manufacturer?
The RV manufacturer?
You?
Lippert has been the subject of NHTSA recalls for welding issues, mostly on axle welds and placement. Keystone, Heartland, CrossRoads, HR, and others, but really for the number of frames Lippert makes, it's not really an outrageous number of recalls! We are after all talking about very few of the 50,000 or so frames made per year by Lippert! Example- one recall of 100 trailers in 2006 for axle hangers. No accidents or failures.
Perhaps we, as consumers should be venting to the NHTSA folks instead of posting bashes at Lippert, and if it is actually a prove able issue, the NHTSA will certainly do the proper thing if lives or property are at risk...that's their job after all!
But is a defective consumer product is not reported, how will the NHTSA ever know about it!?
(888) 327-4236
This is our 7th new Jayco in 30 years! Loved 'em all!
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jdog

Some Place

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Joined: 04/09/2004

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How many frame failures are allowable? As far as I am concern, there are way too many now! Yes I do have a Lippert Frame, Lippert Front jacks, and AL-KO axels. I am afraid to look closer at the hidden areas of my frame. One of the front jacks has failed in the first 3 months of use.
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Traveling Texans

College Station, Texas

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Joined: 12/15/2005

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I have an 06 Outback with a Lippert frame and I have had no issues. Not sure who made the slide It has stuck (in) twice since I bought it new, just bumped it with a ratchet and good to go.
2007 Chevy 2500HDCC D/A SWB
2006 Outback Sydney 28FRLS
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cabanaman

middleburg florida

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Joined: 07/02/2003

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07 openroad 40'er with 12" lippert frame and 4 slides. So far so good
* This post was
edited 10/19/09 02:47pm by cabanaman *
Retired Navy
2007 Dodge Ram SLT sport 2500 quad cab 6.7 cummins,6 speed auto with exhaust brake.Emissions deleted,hypertech programmer.
2007 Open Road 378SA4S-5 quad slide.
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