Sidewall crack study-what’s your setup?

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by jsk

Good news to bad news. Jayco called and said repairs complete and releasing to dispatch for return delivery a week ago. Fast forward to today-Jayco calls and says dispatch picked trailer and started on their way and a wheel fell off. They had it hauled back to Jayco and ordered axles. This is all I currently know. I am a very patient person but now a little aggravated.

Look at it as good news good news....

Good news wheels fell off with them, not with you. Good news they’re fixing it on their dime, not yours.


It’s all about perspective [emoji23]

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

Look at it as good news good news....

Good news wheels fell off with them, not with you. Good news they’re fixing it on their dime, not yours.


It’s all about perspective [emoji23]

For Sure!!!

[PlayersZ28]

Originally Posted by RipinSC

My last FW was an Open Range and it developed the same side wall crack. Open Range (owned by Jayco now) approved the dealer to put the expansion joint in and the problem was solved. Most FW you look at have the expansion joint from the factory. You are going to get flex no matter what you do. Jayco claims that they do not need an expansion joint as their frames are stronger. How well is this working for them! Your dealer would be able to do this repair instead of going back to the factory.

I've seen pictures of various brands with the cracks. I don't think there's anything that can be done to avoid them other than having no slides in the front overhang. There's too much flex in that part of the frame. Expansion joint allows movement without cracking. Ours had a very small crack for a few years and then last winter a single days driving tripled it in size. If they manage to brace the overhang the flex will just move somewhere else. At least I can see and monitor the crack. I'd be much more concerned with some of the pictures I've seen of the bottom edge trim breaking loose and shifting while hooked up. I just put some white silicone in our sidewall crack.

[jsk]

Originally Posted by AKRUEBBE

For Sure!!!

I’m taking it all in stride. I have had problems with brakes and grease since we picked it up new. Maybe this will fix that problem. They are gonna replace one axle. I am going to ask them to replace both but not holding my breath. We are in no hurry to get it back so maybe it will be right.

[Dskyward]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

Getting an EJ at this point would be the best option as it would be a quick turnaround and you’ll probably never have to worry about it again. Good luck Darin

Thanks Tom. That is what we’re leaning to do. The DW found on FB a place in Houston that does several of these each month for $1K and takes 10 days and never have a crack again there. We’ll see if Jayco will pay for this option.

[bill3kirk]

John called from Jayco. My 377 will be ready next week. I'm picking it up Thursday. Hopefully its the only time. Adding a Trailsaver on Wednesday. See if that helps.

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by bill3kirk

John called from Jayco. My 377 will be ready next week. I'm picking it up Thursday. Hopefully its the only time. Adding a Trailsaver on Wednesday. See if that helps.

You’re going to love the trailer saver! It makes for a wonderful, smooth towing experience. Make sure you have a helper or some type of hoist/winch whenever you remove it from the truck as that thing is a heavy, bulky beast!!

[Lowmiler]

Originally Posted by PlayersZ28

I've seen pictures of various brands with the cracks. I don't think there's anything that can be done to avoid them other than having no slides in the front overhang. There's too much flex in that part of the frame. Expansion joint allows movement without cracking. Ours had a very small crack for a few years and then last winter a single days driving tripled it in size. If they manage to brace the overhang the flex will just move somewhere else. At least I can see and monitor the crack. I'd be much more concerned with some of the pictures I've seen of the bottom edge trim breaking loose and shifting while hooked up. I just put some white silicone in our sidewall crack.

I’ve posted it a few times before, but the more I think about it, the more I think I may be on to something: an airbag type pin box, or Trailsaver type hitch, both which provide significantly more articulation than their standard counterparts, may be a permanent solution (while also providing a more comfortable ride).

Our roads have deteriorated significantly, and rigs have gotten heavier. The combo leads to a higher differential between truck and trailer on big bumps, like expansion joints.

The higher differential in angle between truck and trailer can lead to the conventional 5th wheel hitch running out of articulation, causing the kinetic energy to hit the next weakest link, which I believe is the front cross beam of the trailer.

As the front cross beam keeps getting twisted and hammered over time, a stress riser of a front slide opening corner is the next weakest link, which happens to be the one closest to the front beam.

[Magnolia Tom]

Todd,

I think you could be right. That’s why I put shocks on the trailer and eventually ended up getting the trailer saver hitch. I wanted as much cushioning as I could get.

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by Dskyward

Thanks Tom. That is what we’re leaning to do. The DW found on FB a place in Houston that does several of these each month for $1K and takes 10 days and never have a crack again there. We’ll see if Jayco will pay for this option.

What’s the name of the place Darin? I’m gonna pay off my RV loan next week & throw some money at it...since I’m out of warranty & on the hook for this repair.

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by Bookemdanno

What’s the name of the place Darin? I’m gonna pay off my RV loan next week & throw some money at it...since I’m out of warranty & on the hook for this repair.

If I had to guess I’d say it’s Bob Jones RV repair

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

If I had to guess I’d say it’s Bob Jones RV repair

Thanks Tom! I’ll give them a shout next week.

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by Bookemdanno

Thanks Tom! I’ll give them a shout next week.

No problem Dan. Good luck

[Dskyward]

Originally Posted by Bookemdanno

What’s the name of the place Darin? I’m gonna pay off my RV loan next week & throw some money at it...since I’m out of warranty & on the hook for this repair.

Congrats on the loan payoff, Dan. It’ll feel great to get that done. The rv dealer is DeMontrond. website is https://www.demontrondrv.com

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by Dskyward

Congrats on the loan payoff, Dan. It’ll feel great to get that done. The rv dealer is DeMontrond. website is https://www.demontrondrv.com

Thanks Darin

[Dskyward]

Originally Posted by Bookemdanno

Thanks Darin

My pleasure.

[Slurugger]

Originally Posted by Slurugger

2018 NP 377, 2015 F250 with air bags (usually between 60-70lbs). We are approaching 12,000 miles on 5'er with no crack.

Cancel that, noticed the beginnings of a crack last weekend. Just sent Jayco an email...waiting on reply.

[eharris205]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

Todd,

I think you could be right. That’s why I put shocks on the trailer and eventually ended up getting the trailer saver hitch. I wanted as much cushioning as I could get.

No argument here. Put the MorRyde IS suspension on two of my three 5rs. The IS combined with the Trailer Saver has improved the ride quality of the trailer enormously.

[prm99v6]

Originally Posted by Dskyward

It sure does Dan. I and the DW trying best to keep our spirits calm. She’s saying Jayco not getting a third go at it. We’re gonna look into another option getting an expansion joint as fix all solution and have Jayco pay for it. We’ll see what they say when we call tomorrow morning.

This place in Connecticut repaired someone’s Pinnacle and put the joint in. I called them about repairing my North Point but didn’t have any success in getting a response from them. You might have better luck.


https://www.ctmotorcars.com/before-after.html

[Slurugger]

Jayco service got back to me and said they are booking for August 2020 to repair the issue. I'm going to confirm with them they are going to do the actual reinforcements to reduce the chance it happens again.

Did most of you take your rig to the factory yourself or did Jayco pay a shipper to pickup and return the rig? Right now, they are offering to pay for my fuel but I wanted to see if they're being consistent in their offers or trying to cut shipping expense?