Axle spring perch welds broke!

[Chopperdoc]

2018 North Point

So while I was opening the low point drains during winterizing I noticed the square tubing that runs from one side of the axle spring perch to the other was cracked at the weld. I’m assuming this tube’s purpose is to provide side to side support to the spring perches.

I inspected all four corners. All cracked. All bad welds.

Of course being a 2018 my warranty ran out this past March.

This is without a doubt due to poor workmanship when built.

Anyone think I have a chance dealing with Jayco or am I SOL due to it being out of warranty?

Thanks

Vic

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Chopperdoc

Anyone think I have a chance dealing with Jayco or am I SOL due to it being out of warranty?
Thanks
Vic

Never hurts to ask. However you may be told it's a LIPPERT issue.

[Midnightmoon]

Not that you necessarily want to deal with it, but that is at least a very easy weld to fix. Personally, I would probably weld the joint and then add a small plate over the weld and join the upper and lower tubes there, just to give it a little extra strength.

[Route 66 Traveler]

That's the worst weld job I've seen in a long time. How could something as obvious pass inspection? Rather than dealing with Jayco or Lippert I'd just get a mobile welder to reweld it, plus check every other weld on the frame.

[bill3kirk]

I had the exact same issue on my 2018 377. I had a local weld shop repair. Total was $125 to clean, prep and weld them. I didn't bother calling Jayco because it was just out of warranty, and it would have cost more to take it somewhere they wanted than it was worth.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

That's the worst weld job I've seen in a long time.......snip

X2...., and unfortunately too common.

Bob

[madmaxmutt]

Please, report this safety issue to NHSTA. This is really the only way owners can hold manufacturer's feet to the fire. Imagine what could happen, if you didn't randomly find this. Others may very well have the same issue.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

[jtw]

My grandmother could weld better than that. Once again ZERO quality control out of the factory. Take it to a local welder.

[Mopar_Earl]

Perches are on your axle where the leaf spring sits against. Either on the bottom for underslung or on top for overslung. Believe you are describing the supports/cross member for the spring hangers.


Earl

[Radar57]

I remember an issue in another forum on a previous 5er that I owned. Owners were finding cracks in the lower radius of the main I beam. It was determined to be caused from the torsion load on the I beam during a very tight turn, i.e. backing into a tight spot. Lippert's fix was to install the crossbeam, the one I believe is being discussed in this post. It provides support to the hangar bracket. I think I remember an earlier post where those have broken while traveling down the road.

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

That's the worst weld job I've seen in a long time. How could something as obvious pass inspection? Rather than dealing with Jayco or Lippert I'd just get a mobile welder to reweld it, plus check every other weld on the frame.

I don’t weld (want to learn) and even my untrained eye can see those welds look worse than someone would do his first time in high school shop class.

[Lake Huron]

Originally Posted by madmaxmutt

Please, report this safety issue to NHSTA. This is really the only way owners can hold manufacturer's feet to the fire. Imagine what could happen, if you didn't randomly find this. Others may very well have the same issue.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

X2!!!
Ray Charles under the direction of Steven Hawking could have done a better job than that!
Another reason these things should be glued together with a stick instead of a squirt gun.
Typical Lippert junk for ya.

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

I don’t weld (want to learn) and even my untrained eye can see those welds look worse than someone would do his first time in high school shop class.

I tried to get into a welding class in the local community college for this coming spring semester....BUT because of the Vid, they can't "properly" social distance and have canceled these types of classes! I was told maybe summer semester next year.

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by Bookemdanno

I tried to get into a welding class in the local community college for this coming spring semester....BUT because of the Vid, they can't "properly" social distance and have canceled these types of classes! I was told maybe summer semester next year.

Damn ‘rona!

[Jagiven]

X2+ on bad welds. Looks like a newbies first try. I would send photos to Jayco the frame company and NHSTA.

That is bad. It is not Jayco's fault, but hopefully they will help facilitate a proper repair.

I too would endorse having a local weld shop repair and reinforce the hangers.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by Chopperdoc

2018 North Point

So while I was opening the low point drains during winterizing I noticed the square tubing that runs from one side of the axle spring perch to the other was cracked at the weld. I’m assuming this tube’s purpose is to provide side to side support to the spring perches.

I inspected all four corners. All cracked. All bad welds.

Of course being a 2018 my warranty ran out this past March.

This is without a doubt due to poor workmanship when built.

Anyone think I have a chance dealing with Jayco or am I SOL due to it being out of warranty?

Thanks

Vic

This a safety issue. The welds look like the first welds made in Shop Class.


File a complaint with NHTSA.
Everyone that has had a similar problem with frame welds on any RV needs to file a complaint.


With enough complaints, NHTSA can order the manufacturer to make the repairs for free.

[Bullitt6283]

Seriously..


File a complaint with NHTSA.


It may not help You, but someone else might not have caught this..



.

[Superseneca]

That type of workmanship has law suite written all over it. That trailer is dangerous to the motoring public. What about the welds that you can't see. There should be a recall . If jayco wont deal with it I would call the department of motor vehicles.

[Mopar_Earl]

Yes, report it as said. But be sure to use the correct terminology when you report it so they aren't on a wild goose chase. It's not spring perches, those are welded on the axle tube to accept the leaf springs, as the springs perch on them.


Earl

[Lake Huron]

I'd also contact RVIA about it. They seem pretty proud of who they are, they have a RVIA sticker on pretty much every trailer out there.
If they can't help you get somewhere, I'd let it be known how useless they really are.
Read the last paragraph on the About Us tab.
Sounds to me like they aren't doing a very good job either.