Sidewall crack study-what’s your setup?

Magnolia Tom

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There seems to be a lot more members who have experienced the sidewall/stress crack of late. I do not believe there to be any correlation between what setup you have and your likelihood of getting the crack. As an unscientific study, I would like you to state your TV, hitch (when crack showed up) pin box, airbags on truck?, and how long it took for the crack to develop (time or miles) to see if we can find some common thread for those with cracked sidewalls.


2014 Ford F-350 with airbags
Curt Q25
Stock MorRyde pin box
About a year(less than 6k miles)
 
I'll start, but I don't have the crack....yet!

2016 NP 377

Started out towing with a Ram 2500 with Firestone airbags set to 55 PSI and a B&W Companion hitch with the Moryde pin box for approx 1 year and 4k miles.

After 1 year of ownership I switched to a Ram 3500 DRW with factory airbags and same hitch. I've towed approx 2 years and an additional 7k miles.

I added the Sailun tires after about 9 months.
I added the wet bolt kit and brace approx 1 yr into ownership.
 
Dan

You’re really trying to jinx yourself, huh?! [emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787]

I'm hoping not to!

If anything could be causing the crack, it could be those stiff as concrete sidewalls on the tires. When I upgraded to the Sailun's I had all kinds of things break inside the 5er.
 
I'm hoping not to!



If anything could be causing the crack, it could be those stiff as concrete sidewalls on the tires. When I upgraded to the Sailun's I had all kinds of things break inside the 5er.



That’s why I added the shocks [emoji23]
I also dropped my pressure to 100-105psi
 
Picked up our 2018 KPTS in October 2017. Towed it approx. 5K miles between November and May with 2014 F-350 dually with factory installed Reese Elite 25k hitch and aftermarket airbags. In early June 2018, took it to MorRyde and had 8K Independent Suspension and disk brakes installed. Later in June, at the Jayco Rally no less, found the crack. In July, replaced the Reese hitch with a Trailer Saver hitch.

Trailer goes to the factory in April for the crack repair.
 
We had a crack on our 2012 Eagle 321RLTS, bottom left of the bedroom slide with a Schwinteck slide. The crack had to travel about 2” under the Schwinteck trim before it could be seen. After it was visible it travelled another 4” diagonally. After I lifted the trim I saw it origionated from a screw hole. I surmised it was as a result of not pre drilling the hole and over torquing the screw. Jayco refused to repair it, being out of warranty by 6 months or so. Two failed attempts to repair the crack by local people. As soon as it was hooked up to the truck the crack re appeared.
2005 GMC Sierra Duramax 2500 HD 6’6” box
Firestone Riderite Air Springs
Reese 16K
MORryde Rubber Pin Box
Crack appeared 2 yrs+, more than 20 kms (12,427 + miles)
 
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Interesting that the small sample size shows 3 cracks from trucks with airbags, 1 airbag equipped truck not cracked.

Not sure how airbags on a truck could be the cause...
 
Interesting that the small sample size shows 3 cracks from trucks with airbags, 1 airbag equipped truck not cracked.

Not sure how airbags on a truck could be the cause...

I think it may be caused by a "twisting" action. A question that could be added to the mix is, "Have you had problems with the leveling system?" I've had read outs about "excess frame twisting" or something to that effect. Just a thought.
 
I've never had to use more than about 35#s of air in the bags to level up the truck. Don't know how that little amount of air could be a contributing factor to the crack issue.
 
2017 Pinnacle KPTS - Crack appeared shortly after both front legs failed (couldn't extend or retract due to torque amping out the leveling system). Running Sailuns at 85 psi.

2013 Chevy 3500 dually no airbags
Andersen Ultimate Hitch
Stock MorRyde pin box
2 years and approx 25K miles
 
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2017 Pinnacle KPTS - Crack appeared shortly after both front legs failed (couldn't extend or retract due to torque amping out the leveling system). Running Sailuns at 85 psi.

2013 Chevy 3500 dually no airbags
Andersen Ultimate Hitch
Stock MorRyde pin box
2 years and approx 25K miles

I think we may be on to something. I have a friend that had the pin shear on one of his landing gears and created a heck of a twist in the frame ultimately resulting in a sidewall crack.
 
My Eagle 321RLTS (2012) developed the crack about three years into full timing with it. Had it repaired at the factory, on my dime (way more than a dime). Repair held and was good. Traded the trailer this November. I had a Reese kiwi slide hitch, more ride pin box and no air bags on my F350.
 
2015 F450 with air bags
Companion Hitch
2019 North Point 377 RLBH
Stock MORryde pin box
Total trailer mileage: Roughly 3165 miles on trailer including (683) delivery mileage.
Mileage when crack found: roughly 3078

I didn’t have airbags the first 1676 I put on the trailer. The crack developed on the third run with the air bags roughly 719 miles after putting them on. I did notice the seal on the metal trim separated on that side indicating frame/sidewalk movement before I put the airbags on the truck.
 
Sorry I’m 1 day late to the study.

2007.5 Dodge Ram 3500 Megacab Dually
Firestone air-helper springs
B&W Companion Slider on turnover ball
Stock MorRyde pin box
3.5” Crack first found in 75 days on master side on our 2017 377 RLBH at 5,313 miles.

I will add that we are fulltimers. Was repaired by Jayco Service in Middlebury IN, 10 months later. It has reappeared nearly an inch lower after 15 months and 11,810 miles, and is 11/16” long.

1st crack:
Siliconed
IMG_4299.jpg

2nd crack:
IMG_3385.jpg
 
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I do not have a 5ver, but I did have a spider web crack in my 2012 23B Hybrid bumper pull. The dealer found it, while replacing the driver side decals (bubbling) while under warranty. The spider web was under the decal. I've never see it.
 
Sorry I’m 1 day late to the study.

2007.5 Dodge Ram 3500 Megacab Dually
Firestone air-helper springs
B&W Companion Slider on turnover ball
Stock MorRyde pin box
3.5” Crack first found in 75 days on master side on our 2017 377 RLBH at 5,313 miles.

I will add that we are fulltimers. Was repaired by Jayco Service in Middlebury IN, 10 months later. It has reappeared nearly an inch lower after 15 months and 11,810 miles, and is 11/16” long.

1st crack:
Siliconed
View attachment 46600

2nd crack:
View attachment 46601

Your 1st crack looks just like mine.
 

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2005 F-350 King Ranch DRW
Air bags at 40psi
Northpoint 377
Curt Q20 hitch
MorRyde pin box
Cracked around 1yr old and 4000 miles
 

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