Finally happened to me

[CC38EL]

Got the coach back from the dealer with plenty of time before leaving for the winter.

Rain, rain, rain. Finally get to Georgia, yesterday. Wife has to go to potty. Pull over at turnaround. Walk around rig and notice right side tires are about an inch apart. Look underneath and find rear leaf spring hanger separating from frame.

Rv park half a mile from me. Pull in and start looking for repair welding place. That was this morning.

So far, have welder on hook for tomorrow. Parts if he needs them here Wednesday.

I'd heard some issues with this chassis, but always felt it was the 'other guy'. Can't say that now.

Good thing is welder works with extended warranty. Parts are $11 for the hanger (I bought 3). Rv park people are super nice.

Might want to check your LCI correct track system for signs of excess rust, cracking and separation.

[Emptypockets]

Sounds like you have a guardian angle riding with you. Boy couldn't it have been a lot worse.

[CC38EL]

Ps. I have part numbers, phone numbers, names of those who helped find stuff today.

This is a Lippert product.

Kudos to Lippert, Dynamax, and Coleraine rv.

[Steeljag]

Wow, best bathroom break ever for you! Sounds like you have things under control and will be on the road soon. Might want to list the name of the RV park for others who might be traveling through that area, and need a place to stay.

[CC38EL]

Forest Glen rv park. Jackson Georgia. I-75, exit 205. If you stop in before Friday, we're in site C5.

[Harkerr]

While you are under there check all the spring shackle plates for wear. Mine failed and let spring contact frame.

[CC38EL]

Got any pictures of that spring shackle plate? Or where it's located?

[dwhit]

I am accustomed to going underneath my other MH to look for troubles. I see I'll continue doing this with my XLR. I think it's a sound practice.

[Jack350]

Wow...You have my attention. What year rv do you have. That weld does not look like it was done well in the first place. I have looked at my suspension many times to check the welds and always have your picture on my mind when doing the check. Glad you made it to a safe place for repair. I would also check the other three shackles while the welder is nearby.

[hdmtnrider]

X2 on Quality of weld! Very little or no penetration on spring hanger. Very lucky you found it when you did. Was this the front hanger? Good luck with your repairs!

[CC38EL]

This is the rear spring shackle on a 2014 rig built on a 2013 chassis. My welder brother in law has suggested 3/8" stock welded to the other shackle sides for reinforcement. Going to do that at home in the spring.

[Harkerr]

There are two on each end of each spring. They are about 3 inches by 1.5 inches. What happens is the bolts wear the holes in the plates until failure. Need to disassemble to inspect. One of mine failed at 30000 miles but all were worn. Mine is a 36 foot FR 5th wheel.

[CC38EL]

Thank you. Will do that when we get in for repairs as the repair guy will have to disassemble the leaf spring to weld.

[btritschler1437]

Before you start welding, disconnect your RV battery. If not you could fry your electronics when the welder clips on to the frame.

[Jack350]

When I installed my Correct Track Alignment system I also replaced shackle plate connectors, bushings and bolts with the upgrade kit. All original equipment was in need of replacement after just two years. Here are pictures of the finished install.

[CC38EL]

That install is much more robust than the factory original.

Definitely heavy duty. I guess LCI saved a few bucks on their install. Spent just enough to get the logo on their frame.

[doc73]

Originally Posted by ua40j

That install is much more robust than the factory original.

Definitely heavy duty. I guess LCI saved a few bucks on their install. Spent just enough to get the logo on their frame.

Even that wore off after a few weeks... Sticker peeled off! [emoji12]

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

[Jim Schings]

X2 on the weld. No penetration. Surprised it didn't break long ago...

[Mr Havercamp]

I have been through 2 hybrids that were both on LCI frames and had no issues. Granted one was only 5000 GVWR and the other 6000 GVWR. I am about 99.9% sure our new Roo is coming on an LCI frame. Not one weld on either of those frames looked good. Usually when a weld does not look good its a pretty good possibility its not good. I think if it was a widespread problem there would be recalls all over NHTSA. There are hundreds of thousands of LCI frames on the road. Not talking about anyone here, but you also don't know how many people are abusing stuff. I know a couple people who should not be allowed to tow anything at any time.

Add to that everyone, myself included, is obsessed with low price.

I once noticed an ad online for welders at LCI a few years ago, I think it was on the website of the Elkhart Truth newspaper. The starting wage offered was $12 hr. You don't get much of a welder for $12 an hour. You get a guy like me. Someone who thinks he can weld. I won't sell myself short, I am one hell of a melter. I just went and looked there again and no ad for LCI but they have a temp staffing agency looking for welders. You get even less of a welder from the temp agency?

[CC38EL]

We're all fixed. And as noted, one side of the bracket had no penetration.

New bracket and weld looks great. I'm not a weld expert, but my guys weld looks better than original.