2016 Vengeance Frame Flex

Electra glide · 12-14-2018, 08:09 PM

I first noticed my fiberglass siding cracking near the front bottom near the bedroom slide out. Took it in for other repair and want them to check that crack while it was there. They measured the frame flex and apparently it's out of spec?
The dealer I had check it out suggested I try and see if the dealer I bought it from would help with the cost. That dealer passed my off to FR who in turn passed me off to Lippert. The cost of this repair could be $3k to 4K if it's not a frame weld issue. If it is a weld issue then the repair cost might drop down to around $2k (fiberglass would still need to be repaired).

Anyone else had issue with frame flex? Mine is out of warranty so I may have to eat all this.

Electra glide · 12-27-2018, 10:11 AM

I am angry beyond words and disappointed in LCI. They are blaming the hitch without even looking at the camper first.

Will,
Thank you for sending this in. We do not build, or endorse the use of an Anderson Ultimate Hitch as this is considered an adapter. If the use of this hitch caused any damage to your trailer, the damage would not be covered buy LCI, even if it was still under warranty.

Have you located what is coming apart on your trailer? Have you inspected the house to upper deck connection to ensure it is not compromised? We have seen where use of this type of hitch adapter will damage this connection.

Thank you,

Brian O’Rourke
Technical Service Representative
w: 574-537-8900 | f: 574-534-7161

Cessna75 · 12-27-2018, 03:12 PM

Sorry to hear that Electra, hopefully their answer is a default tier 1 answer and with a little pushing on them they come around to help out.

I have a 2015 320A, I don't recall seeing any cracks in that area when I just conditioned my seals, but I'll take a closer look this weekend.

Cessna75 · 12-27-2018, 03:18 PM

When they measured your frame flex, did they state what is an acceptable tolerance?

Electra glide · 01-03-2019, 06:33 PM

I can't recall the tolerance measurement at this time. I'll try to remember to ask when I talk to them next.

I did call Andersen and explained the situation and forwarded the email responses from LCI. Andersen will get back with me soon.

LCI is working on setting up an appointment to do the inspection, which I will have to pay for. Here is the exact response. "I will get this to our service center to see if we can send a tech to inspect it. The filon will need to be removed, and the upper deck exposed before we can inspect it. We will also need payment for the inspection. If a mfg defect on the chassis is found, and it has nothing to do with the Anderson hitch, we can repair and reimburse you for the inspection."

I can tell you I am angry. Once this is over I may just sell the camper and move on from Forest River and it will be because of LCI. Maybe when this is settled I will be a little calmer and not so angry but right now LCI has not been any help.

MR.M · 01-03-2019, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electra glide

I can't recall the tolerance measurement at this time. I'll try to remember to ask when I talk to them next.

I did call Andersen and explained the situation and forwarded the email responses from LCI. Andersen will get back with me soon.

LCI is working on setting up an appointment to do the inspection, which I will have to pay for. Here is the exact response. "I will get this to our service center to see if we can send a tech to inspect it. The filon will need to be removed, and the upper deck exposed before we can inspect it. We will also need payment for the inspection. If a mfg defect on the chassis is found, and it has nothing to do with the Anderson hitch, we can repair and reimburse you for the inspection."

I can tell you I am angry. Once this is over I may just sell the camper and move on from Forest River and it will be because of LCI. Maybe when this is settled I will be a little calmer and not so angry but right now LCI has not been any help.

Just about any camper you may buy will have LCI stuff all over it . so moving from FR won't solve the LCI issues

Electra glide · 01-03-2019, 06:59 PM

The frame is a big deal and they don't like Andersen because they don't own it. There has to be another frame manufacturer somewhere.

Electra glide · 01-04-2019, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cessna75

When they measured your frame flex, did they state what is an acceptable tolerance?

1/4" is the tolerance

MR.M · 01-04-2019, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electra glide

The frame is a big deal and they don't like Andersen because they don't own it. There has to be another frame manufacturer somewhere.

It is a big deal and LCI owns this problem . has nothing to do with using an AUH and all on LCI good luck

Electra glide · 02-19-2019, 09:10 AM

Well LCI still holds that there is nothing wrong with the frame and that 1/4" is within the spec since that is the limit. The dealer inspected everything LCI asked for; welds, hardware, missing welds, and broken or missing hardware. Dealer talked to FR and next suggestion is that something broke in the sidewall. My side wall framing is wood. They are going to open the sidewall now and look for damage.

Electra glide · 02-21-2019, 07:36 AM

Forest River is having LCI come out and add additional bracing to the frame. This is scheduled for today is the info I got from the dealer.
No word yet on if they found anything broken in the sidewall.

MR.M · 02-21-2019, 09:10 AM

Hope they fix it right for you.

dblr · 02-21-2019, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electra glide

Forest River is having LCI come out and add additional bracing to the frame. This is scheduled for today is the info I got from the dealer.
No word yet on if they found anything broken in the sidewall.

This was what Cedar Creek did for us as well but at the factory, good luck and hope all works out for you,

**ependydad** · 02-21-2019, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electra glide

I did call Andersen and explained the situation and forwarded the email responses from LCI. Andersen will get back with me soon.

I'm curious what Andersen's response was since they claim that it doesn't void any warranties. They even tout a $5 million dollar warranty for cases like this.

https://andersenhitches.com/Catalog/...-warranty.aspx

(And, I'm far from an Andersen hater- I had one for a while. But I'm curious how it plays out.)

Electra glide · 02-21-2019, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

I'm curious what Andersen's response was since they claim that it doesn't void any warranties. They even tout a $5 million dollar warranty for cases like this.

https://andersenhitches.com/Catalog/...-warranty.aspx

(And, I'm far from an Andersen hater- I had one for a while. But I'm curious how it plays out.)

Will,

Thank you for emailing us. As they said, “If the use of this hitch caused any damage to your trailer the damage would not be covered by LCI, even if it is still under warranty.” If your claim is being denied and there is nothing showing that is was our hitch that caused the damage then it would not be Andersen’s responsibility to fix damages. They would have to provide you with that information. Warranty cannot be denied just because of the hitch you use. LCI would need to have proof that it was the Andersen Hitch that did the damage. We hope this helps. Please contact us if you have further questions.

- Thank you for contacting Andersen Hitches

- Please contact us if you have any further questions.

Spencer Anderson – Customer Service
customerservice@anderseninc.com
Off: 208-523-6460 l Fax:208-523-6562

IsleDog · 02-21-2019, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electra glide

Will,

Thank you for emailing us. As they said, “If the use of this hitch caused any damage to your trailer the damage would not be covered by LCI, even if it is still under warranty.” If your claim is being denied and there is nothing showing that is was our hitch that caused the damage then it would not be Andersen’s responsibility to fix damages. They would have to provide you with that information. Warranty cannot be denied just because of the hitch you use. LCI would need to have proof that it was the Andersen Hitch that did the damage. We hope this helps. Please contact us if you have further questions.

- Thank you for contacting Andersen Hitches

- Please contact us if you have any further questions.

Spencer Anderson – Customer Service
customerservice@anderseninc.com
Off: 208-523-6460 l Fax:208-523-6562

this is at least encouraging information from Andersen. It looks like they want to help you get this figured out.

LCI has some explaining to do. re-read what you wrote (copy and pasted from your post word for word. they cant claim its an adapter and a hitch, its one or the other. and its in their own words. as Andersen said, pressure LCI to provide you with the info they used to determine the hitch is at fault.

Will,
Thank you for sending this in. We do not build, or endorse the use of an Anderson Ultimate Hitch as this is considered an adapter. If the use of this hitch caused any damage to your trailer, the damage would not be covered buy LCI, even if it was still under warranty.

dward51 · 02-21-2019, 06:31 PM

So if Andersen's hitch is considered an "adapter" by LCI, what hitch would they not apply this same logic to? That really makes no sense. Are you supposed to just sit it in the bed of the truck? There has to be some intermediate connection between the unit and the truck. I guess the truck is an "adapter" too applying an extension of that logic. I think someone at LCI is mistaken in their understanding of what was actually used.

rocco52 · 02-21-2019, 06:54 PM

I am baffled by this. I have an Anderson Ultimate hitch. Basically the hitch eliminates the "goose neck" type of connection by raising the ball up to meet the pin box. I am not an engineer but I don't see how this type of connection can put stress on the frame of the trailer. It would seem that putting an extension on the pin box to connect to a ball or hitch sitting low on the truck bed would put more stress, due to leverage, on the pin box and thus the frame than the Anderson does.

Electra glide · 04-10-2019, 02:04 PM

We haven't gotten the camper back yet but it does seem to be fixed. Forest River got LCI to strengthen the frame by adding additional gussets. That took the flex from 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch. They also found a busted joist in the sidewall and replaced it. They got it all repaired and painted. Just waiting on some graphics and a plastic trim piece.

My insurance paid for most of this. Total cost is around $6,000 and my deductible is $500.

-lenny- · 04-10-2019, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electra glide

We haven't gotten the camper back yet but it does seem to be fixed. Forest River got LCI to strengthen the frame by adding additional gussets. That took the flex from 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch. They also found a busted joist in the sidewall and replaced it. They got it all repaired and painted. Just waiting on some graphics and a plastic trim piece.

My insurance paid for most of this. Total cost is around $6,000 and my deductible is $500.

You are very fortunate that insurance is working with you.

I had a LCI frame failure on a Thor product. Almost lost the kingpin! LCI, Thor, and my insurance all told me to pound sand. I paid the repairs out of my own pocket. Once it was fixed we had it out for 3 trips and it broke again in a different spot. That was the end of that rig!

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