How to avoid RV 'Frame Cracking' failure - 5 tips from a tech!

Frame cracking is a type of frame failure that impacts both 5th wheels and travel trailers. In today's video I'm going to be answering the following questions about RV "frame cracking":
- What is RV "frame cracking"?
- How to spot frame cracking/frame failure on a RV?
- What causes frame cracking/frame failure?
- How do I avoid RV frame cracking/frame failure?

Some of the resources I talked about in the video:
If you buy using my link I get a small commission, but it won't cost you any extra!

[garylawson]

Do you have a video or pictures of bad and good rv 5th wheel camper out riggers

[jimcollins]

Found web of our i beam frame cracked over each hanger on both sides 2013 forest river tt, lippert frame back in 2018. There was literally a link on lipperts website to sketches showing how to repair.

Rv shop repaired the cracks, reinforced the web/flange joint, and welded square tubing to the hangers across the trailer at 4 places.

Just inspected joints last week and seems ok

[JeffinTD]

Excellent video. I’ve seen people scrub triple axle rigs hard, on pavement, and run over speed bumps way too fast. Weld wise I don’t often see evidence of porosity, but I do see undercut, too cold, roots not wetted in, generally inconsistent. The problem with welding a bit of plate between the edge of the flange sloped onto the web, imho, is that kind of brace focuses stress where it meets the web. Don’t have to be Nostradamus to predict cracks in the web just above such a brace. To me I like the idea of cutting a strip of plate to fit between the legs of the spring hanger, bending it to a V and welding it to the insides of the spring hanger and the bottom of the flange. Seems like that kind of brace will spread the load on the bottom of the I beam but will still flex a bit and maybe not create a stress riser. I’ve seen a bit of angle across the bottom of trailers, welded to spring hangers on both sides- but I’d prefer to maybe weld on brackets and bolt in the main span (if you had to pull a tank or otherwise fix something).

[charleswesley]

The most important point is to visually inspect your I beams at the points where they are cross braced for stress cracks. Those cracks show up as very fine rust colored lines where the vertical cross braces are welded between your larger I beams . This occurs 3 ft plus or minus before and after and between your tandem axles . The torsional forces put on your frame when making turns is visually apparent by your wheels scrubbing and contorting . Avoid any sharp turn. Take a look at the wheels when you are making any turn and listen to the creaking and popping when you make that turn. That is severe loading on your suspension and frame . While you can mitigate really heavy stresses you can not eliminate all of it so regular inspections is imperative . My frame was starting to lean and fail. I caught it and corrected it and repaired it and it was a 28 ft light Travel Trailer . The cross braces ripped out of one side and pushed through the other beam .And even Grand Design 40 ft 5th wheels still uses 1/8 inch wall thickness steel throughout .

[lkjg]

Yes, all good tips. That said, when you have frame failure as shown at 1:02, that is entirely on the manufacturer for using material that was too thin. Indeed, I am of the opinion that 99.9% of frame "failure", "flex" or whatever the buzzword of the day is used, is a direct result of the manufacturer substituting inferior materials (stitched together by monkees with MIGS) to save weight - all at a cost of risking your safety and the safety of your family. As long as consumers fork over tens of thousands, and in many cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the manufacturer and get past the warranty period, they don't care. An RV purchase is definitely a caveat emptor endeavor.

[rickhunter-wolff]

I'm a certified NDT technician. Took my mag yolk and dry powder to my RV trailer. So, far, no cracks! I have my RV professionally oil sprayed to prevent the frame rusting. Had to clean the goop off to do the checks, and have had the rig resprayed.

[JamesHolland-moct]

What are your thoughts on Sumo springs on a FW. On the fence if these are a good upgrade since they are in contact with the frame I-beams.

[horizontaldad]

Jacob, the installation of the suspension and the application of crossmembers and outriggers is a problem, one I had to deal with. It was resolved. In addition to the repair that was performed at the front and center suspension hangers I added a morryde crossmember at the rear hangers. Later I realized that the installation of this crossmember actually caused toe at the rear axle so I removed it. I see that morryde has changed the design, hopefully to eliminate this problem but I can’t tell from the info available online. I think you have correctly identified the primary load path that is likely to cause a lot of these issues and that’s side-load…. It would sure be easy to test for this and validate the designs or show the weaknesses. I hope some of the folks from the industry follow you and read these comments. Please keep up the good work … we need at least one manufacturer to build reliable rv trailers

[shawncoker]

I am having a hard time finding info on porpoising and what I need to do to ensure I'm towing properly. I have a new 2024 GMC 2500 HD Denali Ultimate. My understanding is that it's equivalent to a one ton since it has the towing package. I haul a Venture Touring with a hitch weight of 1250 lbs. with a total of 9000 lbs. My weight distribution hitch is rated for 1400/14000. I had some porpoising on my last trip, no sway, just the bouncing. Help someone??

[Capt-John-T-Moore]

Enjoy your videos. I have used your information to fix my rv’s plumbing issues. This video just added to information I will be using when maneuvering my rv’s. Thanks Duane!

[OmahaWayne]

Another great video, thank you sir !!!

[darrylt]

Does the Roadmaster Comfort Ride Leaf Spring Suspension Kit w/ Shock Absorbers help frame flex or hurt frame flex?

[jkarnold]

Hi Jacob, trying to purchase your course, but it won’t go through on any search engine. My husband tried as well l. Could this be because we are trying to purchase on a mobile iOS device?

[AdventuraHighway]

Very informative video subject. Should I worry about my small travel trailer as well. 24ft, 4100 dry 6000 lb max. It's a 2021 Coachmen Freedom Express, so far I don't see any cracks or stress on its frame or spring hangers. Would you recommend the cross member kit for such a light trailer?

[xavierpacheco]

Where is the link to the axle frame reinforcer you mentioned?

[zibberfitchy]

I had the rear leaf spring hangers crack my frame. One of them completely came off. Had to get a mobile welder to come to my campground to make repairs. 2022 Grand Design 2910BH with Lippert frame.

[robertnasser]

The reason I put Morryde independent suspension on my rig.

[geraldpaben]

Excellent video as usual… thanks Duane

[taitgreen]

Have you seen a bigger frame flex frame cracking problem with wide body 100" wide 5th wheels vs the 96" wide 5th wheel?

[wjohn]

Is one MORyde frame support on the middle hanger ok, or do they need to be on all 3 of a tandem axle 5th wheel?