Broken frame that supports bedroom slide

Mr. Cob

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2014
Messages
103
Location
Arlington
Howdy All,

It's been a long time since I have posted to this forum but I have a problem that hopefully someone can help with or direct me to someone who can. I bought a new Voltage 3818 toy hauler in August of 2014, the build date on the trailer is July 20th 2013.

I had nothing but problems with the slides since the the day I bought the trailer never knowing if they would go out or come back in if they did go out, had them supposedly fixed a couple of times when under the one year warranty, and have spent thousands of dollars on them since out of pocket.

About a year ago I heard about a company called "Vroom" in Arizona, that made a slide system that would bolt into the voltage and replace the $hit scwhintec system. So I called them and made an appointment to have this work done. This work was done on December 17-18th of 2024, the system works FLAWLESSLY and I HIGHLY recommend it.

This is where my problem comes in, when installing the bedroom slide system it was discovered that the frame that supports the bedroom slide had cracked and from the looks of it this has been cracked for some time. As I had already committed to have this work done and the money spent I told the Vroom folks to complete the job and I would try to get the frame problem addressed through insurance.

As you might suspect, Progressive Insurance says it's not our problem it's caused by a manufacturing defect, called Limpert, they said not our problem we didn't make the aluminum superstructure, called Keystone who supposedly is taking care of Dutchman problems and they said sorry the trailer is over year old it's not our problem.

So here I am with a trailer that I spent over 4,500 dollars putting a decent suspension system under, 12,000 bucks installing a great solar system and now another 10 grand installing a great working slide system and find out the damned aluminum super structure is broken and when looking at where and how it broke it's plain to see there is NO support or reinforcement of the slide frame where it badly needed.

I know the trailer is now ten years old, but this is something that if it were constructed properly would NEVER have happened and I find myself with no recourse other then to spend probably more then what the trailer is worth in order to be able to use it. I am 77 years old, I am NOT buying another trailer but have little choice other than to bend over and take it to get this fixed or lose the original purchase price and all of the improvements I have made over the years if I junk it.

I don't consider myself a vindictive man but if there is a HELL I hope there is a special room for those who design, build and sell the junk that is what most RV's of any type are.

Dave
 
I feel your pain and agree with your recommendations!

Can they reinforce the frame economically..
Howdy Franktafl,

I have been in contact with an RV repair shop near Wichita Kansas, who says they can repair the busted frame. It's going to be a big job a very $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ job but if I am going to use the trailer it has to be done. Someday I would like to sell my truck ( Peterbilt 379, that carries a Smart Car behind the sleeper ) and the trailer, I can't knowingly sell the trailer to someone in it's present condition, unlike insurance companies and RV builders, dealers I still have integrity.

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Dave
 
Dave, unfortunately, the money you already spent is gone and your only decision is whether it is worth spending more money to make your trailer road worthy or not. My gut is that it probably is worth it and despite the fact your trailer will be worth quite a bit less than you have in it, hopefully it will work and be safe again.

I feel like I had several issues in the first few years of ownership with my 2019 (built in 2017) but now I am generally okay with mine, after two suspension repairs/upgrades which were related to the leaf springs and shackles. The current set up seems to be okay. I sincerely hope that my frame doesn't fail like yours did! My model has a cable slide so hopefully it is better than the Schwintek style.

Good luck!
 

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