Sanibel Upper Frame Flex

[rvsunman]

We have a 2013 Sanibel we purchased August 2012. We have pulled it around 10k miles now.

I started to notice that the caulk between the bottom of the overhang and the side wall was pushing out and separating on both sides but most predominatly on the passenger side. I'm not sure when this started but I noticed the caulk coming out over a year ago.

I had the Sanibel in for warranty work in Elkhart last week and before I could ask about the caulk issue (I thought it was a routine maintenance issue and I just wanted to know how to address it) the repair shop owner told me I had an "upper Frame Flex problem that needed to be repaired. He said he has done many Sanibels in the past year and he had one in the shop he was doing at the time. He said the repair takes about 5 days to do and required the bed slide, dresser, and the front fibreglass cap to be removed.

I am still waiting on a schedule to have the repair done.

Now that I know about the issue I have watched this area when I hitch up to the truck. The bottom of the overhang actually moves up about 1/2 an inch when the weight of the RV is placed onto the truck.

Are there others out there with this problem? I also want to alert others of the problem if they don't know already.

I attached a picture below to show what to look for.


The area that moves is the area between the bottom of the decal and the trim on the bottom of the overhang.


Note that the vertical trim piece under the bedroom slide is loose. It actually pushes into the slide when the weight is put onto the truck.

[DDC]

You have my sympathy, I assume this will be covered by warranty, I am curious did the repair shop tell you if this was covered by a recall and has the NHTSA been notified of these defects as they are safety related and could have disastrous results. The more these types of defects get reported the better the chances are that they will get the message and build them safer.

[keepaeyeonit]

If your getting that much flex then theres a big problem in the frame,I have flex in mine but right now its not to bad(steel has to flex but I feel the flex should not be noticeable) you also have more miles on your unit then I do.
when you first got the unit what was happening up front(the area your having trouble with now)was it just pushing out a little putty and got worse over time?
Good luck and please let us know how this turned out for you! Keepaeyeonit

[rvsunman]

Yes, when we first got the Sanibel the putty was pushing out. It seems to me it started gradually. I didn't realize it was a problem until I was shown the issue and then watched the area when I put it on the truck. I know it needs to be fixed but was TD by the repair place that it wasn't a safety issue. After reading stuff on the internet I'm not sure about it not being a safety issue. I just know that the king pin area moves in relation to the upper outside wall when hitched to the truck. I can't seal the area so moisture can now get in. I don't know how the upper structure is secured to the carbon steel king pin frame.

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[FWguy]

Hi
You must be the guy I met in a campground in Waves, North Carolina. here is my post and how prime time took care of it. http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ice-51969.html

good luck to you
Robert

[Oigan]

Mine is in for repair now

[Oigan]

Originally Posted by Oigan

Mine is in for repair now

It sounds like they have a real problem

[chris woznica]

We purchased a 2013 3501 in nov and just love it. But recently have noticed caulk squeezing out at the molding seam on the overhang where the pin box is mounted. We took measurements both on and off the truck and found an inch of flex in the frame. Is this normal? Never noticed this flex in our previous 5er. Could this be dangerous ? Any info would be a great help

[BBBlue]

I noticed some flexing on the drivers side of my 2013 Sanibel 3500. The sealant was pushing out and there was approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch movement when unit was up on the hitch on the drivers side only. I brought the unit to the dealer and show them the flex. The service Mgr stated that it was normal flexing and that the tape sealant needed to be replaced, since it had been almost displaced in one small area. The unit has approx 6000 miles on it. Are other Sanibel owners seeing this slight movement when putting unit up on the hitch or are you not seeing any movement?

[Oigan]

Have the service manager contact prime time! If there is a problem prime time will fix it. My sanibel started to have issues with caulk and when we traveled to texas this winter when we arrived we had a hump in the bedroom in front of the bed.

[FWguy]

There is no more flexing on mine since it was repaired. I also took an insurance policy so it does not happen again. Smoother ride.

[BBBlue]

@ FWGUY- What did the repair consist of? I noticed photo of your hitch. Did you have to bring it to Indiana for the repair??

[FWguy]

Hi BBBlue

I choose to bring it back to Indiana. Read the story in this post
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ice-51969.html

I did not saw the repair on my unit but there was another Sanibel 3500 with the same problem when I visited the repair facility. The cap was already removed and Ronald showed me where the frame was reinforced.

I decided to go with the Trailair king pin after talking with Ronald Green. I installed it my self at home before I went back to get my Sanibel.

Now, I always check to see if I am going to see some flexing when I hitch-up my fifth wheel but so far, so good. no flexing at all. There is also a plus here that I did not mention. I always had problem locking the entrance door. Sometime, the deadbolt would stick half way. now everything is fine. I guess it re-aligned the whole frame.

Hope it helps
Robert

[Platokidd]

Hey folks, I just wanted let you know I merge another thread with this one. Same problem. Good Luck I hope you get your units fixed soon!!
See post 8
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post630885

[BBBlue]

I measured the flex with the unit up on the truck hitched up and then with it unhitched and the amount of flex was 1/8". My dealer's service department said that was normal. I am thinking of sending this measurement and photos to Primetime for their take. Unit is a 2013 Sanibel 3500 with about 6000 miles on it and I am hoping that this is not the start of a major problem.

[Oigan]

photo of cap off

[BBBlue]

What year and model is your unit?

[Oigan]

2013 3500 have about 5000 miles on it

[Oigan]

Just got our sanibel back! They did an awsome job! Can't even tell it was apart!


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[BBBlue]

That is so good to hear. We have one 30 day trip to Va Beach and then ours in going in for the repair too. I am sending a list of other small items that need addressing that the dealer did nothing about.