A-frame let go from main frame of travel trailer - Dutchmen Owners
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Old 03-06-2019, 07:50 PM   #1
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A-frame let go from main frame of travel trailer

Turns out the a-frame was never fully welded to the main frame of our Denali travel trailer on the passenger side. We noticed that the a-frame was at an unusual angle after we had been set up for a couple of days following a short drive in heavy wind. Looking more closely we could see that the frame had completely separated from the main frame of the trailer on one side where thee was just the remains of a tack weld and buckled and cracked a bit on the other side that was fully welded and apparently bearing the load. Scary stuff.

We have called Dutchmen and have sent pictures and are now awaiting their reply.

It’s a 2013 Denali 246 RK.

Anyone else had this experience?

Michael
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Old 03-07-2019, 01:57 AM   #2
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I highly recommend you contact the NHTSA and file a complaint and attach your pictures. You will get a much faster response from Dutchmen this way. I filed a complaint one evening on-line, and by 10 am next morning I had a phone call from a VP of Dutchmen over my 5er hitch issue.
Besides filing the complaint gets safety importance and informs them of an potential issue. That is how recalls get started.
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Old 03-07-2019, 02:06 PM   #3
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Thank you. We will do that today.
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Old 03-07-2019, 05:36 PM   #4
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I would have called a welder out to the campground and had it fixed on the spot.... It happened to me once years ago on a small trailer and the guy with a portable rig welded and added alot of reinforcement . There was no warranty or factory to call but it only took a few hours and was cheap...
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Old 03-09-2019, 04:09 PM   #5
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We are scheduled to be in the RV park for another couple of weeks. A local welder has agreed to do it but wants to get specs from Lippert before proceeding. We are fortunate that we have the time to go this route and not on the side of a highway.
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Old 03-09-2019, 04:41 PM   #6
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Probably smart on his part. Lippert can defect the blame to him in case their is a problem down the road.

Got any pictures?
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Old 03-09-2019, 07:09 PM   #7
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Photos of a-frame

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Old 03-09-2019, 08:32 PM   #8
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WOW, Pictures show just how crappy they welded that. Looks like GIANT blobs and rusted from the inside. Grind it down before you fix it would be my suggestion. Get someone that can weld upside down since you are probably not going to get to the top of the frame to weld it there.
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Old 03-13-2019, 08:08 PM   #9
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Smile Crappy weld

The bubbles you are seeing is spray foam insulation. There is NO welding to grind off just some rust.
Good news is that we have found a great welder and Dutchmen has responded positively.
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Old 03-14-2019, 05:06 PM   #10
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I would be concerned about the stress that the opposite side has had. Make sure those welds are deeply inspected!
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Old 03-15-2019, 03:25 PM   #11
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Update

The welders arrived yesterday morning. We had already removed the propane tanks, batteries, etc. They cut off the a-frame entirely, ground off the remaining welds and took it all away. Back at the shop they manufactured a whole new assembly, returned, hoisted it back in place, added a support beam, welded it all beautifully, painted it and departed. Done.
We are very satisfied with the work and with Keystone’s response. Happy Campers again.
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Old 03-15-2019, 03:31 PM   #12
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Thats frigging awesome. very good peace of mind that it is all new and not stressed.
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Old 03-15-2019, 04:04 PM   #13
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Sounds like they did a great job! You will be thinking of that A frame every time you hitch up for a while but soon it will be distant memory!
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Old 03-15-2019, 05:35 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by luckymike349@gmail.com View Post
The welders arrived yesterday morning. We had already removed the propane tanks, batteries, etc. They cut off the a-frame entirely, ground off the remaining welds and took it all away. Back at the shop they manufactured a whole new assembly, returned, hoisted it back in place, added a support beam, welded it all beautifully, painted it and departed. Done.
We are very satisfied with the work and with Keystone’s response. Happy Campers again.
what was keystone's response?
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