frame kingpin structure problems

After reading some other posts regarding the screws under the nose cap of the trailer failing and possibly leading to other issues I decided to take a look at mine. I have already replaced all of the fasteners under the cap once and all of the passenger side ones and half the driver side were worked all the way out or broke again. I also noticed that I could move the kingpin by hand with a lot of effort. Seeing this, I decided to connect it to the truck and lower it and I noticed about 3/4 inch movement. As far as I am concerned, this should be SOLID. After reading some posts regarding structural issues, I decided to investigate furthter. After removing the trim around the kingpin, I noticed some hairline cracks from the corner of the web in the front outward. So, I just finished removing the panel on the underside and found some cracked welds on the passenger side with a noticable gap and a bent gusset on the driver side. I have also been hearing creaking when raising and lowering the trailer onto the hitch. I have determined that this is coming from where the wall attaches to the camper. I have a week long trip fathers day weekend, so I will be taking care of this asap. I am going to make a few phone calls, but do not think that I will get anything taken care of that fast. So, I will be calling in some favors to get things taken care of. Any contacts, questions or comments, feel free to post.message.......

Oh yeah, here is a link to some pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8572016@N04/sets/72157626770741283/

Wow, I need keep an eye on ours.

WOW, thanks frfuff, you answered a question with pictures I have had in regards to what the nose cap attaches to on the bottom by the kingpin, I have had the screws sheared off as well, I have attributed it to the poor overlap design undernieth using 3/4 inch screws #8's when I pulled out the bottom bottom panel and trim rail, poor workmanship not trimming the pieces to fit properly.

Do U use a goose neck adapter to pull yours.

no gooseneck

THAT is kinda scary.

I am in the same boat look closely for cracks at the King pin attachment. The weld did not crack on mine just the tubular steel.

yes, same here s4tuner. it radiates from the weld to the tubing

I too have the missing and loose screw underneath. Now I'm afraid to open it up. Smells like a class action lawsuit.

After all the Horror stories I'm keeping a close eye on mine. So far so Good.

Nice pics...I expected more structurally where the kingpin attaches to the frame. I guess that's why they cover it up.

pics of mine

The wasp nest looks better attached than the welds on the frame

True

Have you all gone to the gallery and looked at the pictures that I posted a couple of years ago?

gsdmom3 wrote:Have you all gone to the gallery and looked at the pictures that I posted a couple of years ago?

I just viewed your pics and I was definately headed right there. Did they have to tear the floor out to replace the cross member? My favorite trailer shop is good at welding but I am not so sure about the interior stuff.

I am not sure how they fixed the floor. The bulge was under the queen size bed up front. The inside of the trailer looks good. I never expected something like this to happen to something that we bought new and took good care of. My husband actually ordered in thicker steel and then had them weld angled pieces to the front.

gsdmom3 wrote:Have you all gone to the gallery and looked at the pictures that I posted a couple of years ago?

Your gallery is where?

Any pics of the repair.

At the top of the page, right below the cover picture is a bar with "Home" "Calendar" "Gallery" etc. Click Gallery. Over to the left on that page is a place where it says something like "Users Public Galleries" - click that, then look for gsdmom3 (they are listed alphabetically).

Tater

Thank you. Man that goose neck adapter appears to have ripped it off. Bad vibs.

Too bad we didn't know that goose neck adapters and 5th wheels don't mix. Maybe we had a dealer that was more interested in selling than safety. Who knows??? They had a letter from FR stating that a goose neck adapter could be installed on the trailer. From doing a lot of research I understand that FR decided to void the warranty shortly after we bought the trailer. When the steel tube failed the trailer had been pulled right at 7,000 miles. My husband feels the steel was flawed in the first place. (He is the production manager at a hollow metal door and frame company.) Guess we'll never really know, because we didn't want to spend the money on a lawyer. In the end we spent about $3,000.00 to make the problem go away. For a trailer that was bought new and had all equipment installed by the dealer...TOO much.

I feel your Pain. Sry to hear this.

Thanks for the info. Guess all of us are taking are 5ers apart. I am on my second WC and the first one had the screws in the nose doing the fall out thing. I am seeing the same on this one. And I too thought it was poor craftsmanship. I agree class action does sound in order. this for sure does not sound like a one off. Good luck to all.

HOLY COW gsdmom3.....Those pictures of you hitch makes my skin crawl.

Look up pictures on google and bing search Lippert frames and be amazed.

onetonford wrote:Look up pictures on google and bing search Lippert frames and be amazed.

I wonder if they were using a goose neck adapter or were made on the East coast?