Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-22-2022, 01:08 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 117
Front crack

I have had this a while but it seems to be getting bigger. Any suggestions?
My Redwood is a 2012 RL. I don't know where to go with this. Any suggestions?
/Users/davidtanner/Desktop/IMG_0603.jpeg
/Users/davidtanner/Desktop/IMG_0602.jpeg
IMG_0602.jpg

IMG_0603.jpg
__________________
Warm Regards,
Dave
Fort Myers, Florida
gridiron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2022, 01:51 PM   #2
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 74
I’ve seen several threads where this happens. Not just here but other brands also. Probably just flex but Lippert has a process posted where you can check flex tolerances. Most repair shops that don’t find any issues through Lipperts process will install trim over the crack to hide it.

Theres a thread just a couple down from this one discussing an issue like this.
drj564 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2022, 03:53 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
travelin' texans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,353
I've owned 3 5th wheels, 2 have had a crack in the lower corner of the slide, the other had it at the top corner. I added the trim piece to my RW long before the frame flex issue was mentioned.
If you walk around a campground look at 5th wheels, I'd bet most have a crack or a trim piece covering that crack.
I can't believe all of them have cracked frames or welds & about to fall apart.
In that narrow area there's a very thin layer of Filon covering about a 3/8" thick narrow piece of plywood with the stress & strain of the slide hanging on it, it's surprising it doesn't crack the 1st time the slide is extended.
__________________
Danny & Linda
Full-timed 10+ years
Former '13 FB owner
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Currently rv & truckless
Replacement undetermined
travelin' texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2022, 06:55 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Ford truck guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,285
Like Danny stated, I've had those cracks since my first fifth wheel back in 08... That was a KZ and they (KZ)cut a straight line up and down and installed a trim piece.... Never happened again, my 2016 and 2020 Redwoods BOTH had that trim piece from the start.
__________________
2020 F-350
2020 3991RD with-
17.5 Goodyear 114's , Titan Disc brakes, MorRyde 8K IS, Onan 6.5..
Ford truck guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2022, 08:16 PM   #5
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 38
Hi "travelin' texans" and "Ford truck guy", I just posted a new thread titled "Bedroom Slide Flexing Issue" last weekend and realized I should have titled it Bedroom Slide Stress Crack. My thread on this has not received a single post since I created the thread and perhaps my title minimized interest. If you go to my Thread you will see pictures taken of the crack and more importantly the actual damage that has occurred after my 2015 36RL Bedroom Slide was removed (and more pictures could be taken) and work being done to correct this problem Both supporting studs (Left and Right) that support the Schwintec slide system and overall structure are out of Plumb and now requiring welding in additional support in this area in addition to adding more structural support. Given the number of trim pieces I have also seen covering up cracks, this appears as to be a more common issue with slides in close proximity to the front of the coach and the minimal support systems designed into the construction for the mechanism (Schwintec), which as we know creates a lot of torque in the in and out process. Again check the Thread, "Bedroom Slide Flexing Issue".
Cactusjack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2022, 08:27 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Ford truck guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,285
I'm not gonna argue the point that your Redwood has an issue.....

What I believe Danny was saying, and I agreed with was that MOST of the time, its a function of simple pin flex that is normal..

Almost ALL RV's with that front slide has the molding placed under that corner of the slide..
__________________
2020 F-350
2020 3991RD with-
17.5 Goodyear 114's , Titan Disc brakes, MorRyde 8K IS, Onan 6.5..
Ford truck guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2022, 08:48 PM   #7
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 38
I agree with you Ford truck guy, I only wanted to point out that we began to hear loud clunking sounds when the bedroom slide was brought in and caused some concerns. During the check by the Service Company they were able to determine that the Left Stud had issues well beyond the Stress Crack Cut and the obvious noises. That is why the Slide was removed and the weld break was there and needed fixing. Since they are doing that, they will also be reinforcing and tying that stud to the smaller stud forward for additional support.

The Right Stud is also out of plumb and therefore all the lower screws which help support the Schwintec System were not in play. Over a year ago another dealer, with support from Redwood, ended up putting a thru-bolt on the bottom flange and that resolved the movement on that side which occurred when the slide was in. That was the solution back then and trying to keep from removing the slide for more detailed examination. The current repairs in progress will be adding aluminum and bracing will also bring the right side more into plumb so that the all the lower screws on that side can hit metal as well.

Our King Pin was also slightly out of Plumb relative to the Lippert frame which caused the initial investigation. The whole Lippert Structure supporting the King Pin was checked and it is in great shape and the flex is simply the load/unload movement. The King Pin itself was corrected when the skin was removed as to the mount frame needing adjustment. Thanks again for your comments and hopefully you were able to see my pictures on the other thread.

The Bedroom
Cactusjack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2022, 01:46 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 399
I had the same crack happen. The dealer said he was unable to fix it when it didn.t pass Redwoods measurement test. We dropped it off in Goshen at the repair facility. They needed to remove the skin and weld the frame, add a plywood support and replace the skin with a new fibreglass skin. Looked minor like a stress crack, but not so.
__________________
Elliott & Vicky, and Sadie the GSD copilot
2014 36RE, Onan, Titan disc brakes, 17.5 inch Sailun H tires, lots of other options
2013 RAM 3500 CC, LB, DRW, Cummins, AISIN, 4x4
Elliott & Vicky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-29-2022, 01:00 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Ford truck guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,285
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elliott & Vicky View Post
I had the same crack happen. The dealer said he was unable to fix it when it didn.t pass Redwoods measurement test. We dropped it off in Goshen at the repair facility. They needed to remove the skin and weld the frame, add a plywood support and replace the skin with a new fibreglass skin. Looked minor like a stress crack, but not so.

When was that repair made? I am curious how well the repair has held up.....
__________________
2020 F-350
2020 3991RD with-
17.5 Goodyear 114's , Titan Disc brakes, MorRyde 8K IS, Onan 6.5..
Ford truck guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-29-2022, 09:14 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 399
The repair was done late spring 2019. There was a piece of trim placed over where the crack was originally and this covered the joint between the old skin under the slide and the new piece of skin to the front.
__________________
Elliott & Vicky, and Sadie the GSD copilot
2014 36RE, Onan, Titan disc brakes, 17.5 inch Sailun H tires, lots of other options
2013 RAM 3500 CC, LB, DRW, Cummins, AISIN, 4x4
Elliott & Vicky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2022, 03:23 PM   #11
Site Team
 
piper guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,986
My 2013 36RL had pretty much the same issues as Elliott. The service center in Goshen did ours also. Was done in 2017, pretty much as Elliott described. The aluminum frame welds had broken and the subframe separated from the main frame. Randy told me they were seeing this in 2012-2014 units and that the front frame was reinforced and larger attaching bolts used starting in 2015 production. Seemed to be more prevalent in units that were predominantly on the east coast ( were thinking the wonderful roads in the east).

After ours was repaired, we have pulled it another 24k miles since then with no issues. Note that I do have the MorRyde IS and disc brakes. Also a cushioned hitch.
__________________
Vaughan & Tracy 2013 RW 36RL, 2013 F350 DRW CC, 2016 Focus. MorRyde IS, MorRyde pinbox, disc brakes, Comfort Ride Hitch. "Life is to be embraced, Grab it with both arms ! "
piper guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2022, 04:27 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 399
The fix has held up well. I'd take out the rear view mirror from my truck if it was legal so I wouldn't have to see the flexing from the crappy roads here in the east.
__________________
Elliott & Vicky, and Sadie the GSD copilot
2014 36RE, Onan, Titan disc brakes, 17.5 inch Sailun H tires, lots of other options
2013 RAM 3500 CC, LB, DRW, Cummins, AISIN, 4x4
Elliott & Vicky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2023, 09:10 PM   #13
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 17
What was the name of the facilities? Was it Redwood's service facilities??
PJarosz is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Redwood RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:38 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×