RamTX
Houston Area
Senior Member
Joined: 06/16/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
While performing my annual inspection, cleaning and re-packing of the wheel bearings on our Jayco Eagle 5th Wheel (Model 31.5 FBHS), my son noticed a crack in the web of one of the two main support I-beams running the length of the trailer. Upon further inspection, we found similar cracking on the opposite side I-beam. The cracks were located almost above the last axle on the trailer and approximately two inches from the bottom of the I-beam flange. We then pulled down the underbelly covering and discovered that there was a perpendicular cross beam (it appears to be a channel beam) welded to the web on the inside of each I beam at the exact location of the cracks. Unfortunately, we discovered that the cracks were completely thru the web of both I-beams. After calling Jayco and being informed that the warranty had expired on my 5r which is an 08 model, they referred me to a Jayco employee who knew some of the personnel that had worked at Dexter frame but now worked at Lippert after Lippert bought Dexter frame out sometime last year. I called Lippert this morning and finally after talking with several people found a gentleman who had previously worked for Dexter but now worked at Lippert. He was very helpful and asked that I send him pictures of the cracks. Hopefully he will give me his opinion on the cause of the cracking and the proper fix.
I thought that I should post this for others with longer Jayco trailers and encourage them to inspect the I beams on their trailers especially in the areas around the axles. It appears to me that these are fatigue cracks caused by the trailer shifting while being towed especially while cornering. Here is a link to the pictures of the cracks we found:
Dexter Frame Cracks on Jayco
As some of you probably know, these superlite trailers have minimally sized I-beams and the metal on them is not very thick. It would take an expert welder to weld any additional supports, bracing, etc. on them without further damage. If anyone has found a similar problem and/or corrected a similar frame issue, please let me know. Any help or opinions from any engineers out there would also be appreciated. Thanks.
2005 Dodge 2500 CTD ShortBed Quad Cab
08 Jayco Eagle Superlite 31.5FBHS
Line X
Superglide Hitch
Prodigy Brake Controller
|
RVUSA
Orlando, FL, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 01/04/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
I cant make out the inside pic well enough to say for sure, but it looks like theres a lot of rust where there should be weld.
I would have thought they would have had the cross member run the full height of the I beam rather than laying it horizontal. It makes me wonder if the trailer swaying is causing the cross member to punch through the I beam. If thats what is happening maybe they can put a big plate on the I beam and them reattach the cross member. Then the plate can spread the stress of swaying out more.
|
TugCE
Leesburg, Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 06/10/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
My thoughts exactly.
RVUSA wrote:I cant make out the inside pic well enough to say for sure, but it looks like theres a lot of rust where there should be weld.
I would have thought they would have had the cross member run the full height of the I beam rather than laying it horizontal. It makes me wonder if the trailer swaying is causing the cross member to punch through the I beam. If thats what is happening maybe they can put a big plate on the I beam and them reattach the cross member. Then the plate can spread the stress of swaying out more.
I am a Retired U.S. Merchant Marine Chief Engineer
05 Chevy 2500 4x4 D/A with Helper Springs and Air Ride Air Bags
06 R-Vision RW3360 Fifth Wheel Toy Hauler
97 FLTCI converted into a Roadsmith Trike by The Trike Shop of Daytona
|
RamTX
Houston Area
Senior Member
Joined: 06/16/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
The picture of the inside channel is a little deceiving in that I couldn't take a picture of the entire "c" channel. The channel is installed vertically, but it is about 2 inches shorter than the height of the I-beam.
|
57 Panhead
Central Valley Calif.
Senior Member
Joined: 08/19/2010
View Profile
Offline
|
We have a 2012 31.5RLTS, I imagine this is the same chassis you have. Our chassis has a build date of a week or so prior to the announcement of the Lippert buy-out. How many miles are on your unit? We plan on using this trailer quite a bit and I'm hoping this wont be an issue for us but you can bet I'll keep a very close eye on this area.
Steve
Retired Teamster
2012 Jayco Eagle Superlite 31.5RLTS
07 F250 PowerStroke
U Y B
|
|
|
RamTX
Houston Area
Senior Member
Joined: 06/16/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
We have approximately 15,000-17,000 miles on it. Based on the amount of rust, I would say that these cracks have been there for almost a year.
|
sgip2000
Oregon
Full Member
Joined: 05/01/2012
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
It sounds like the frame is shifting side to side or possibly twisting. Nothing some steel and a torch can't fix. Too bad TT frames aren't built like those on a cargo trailer.
|
ktt51
United States
New Member
Joined: 05/08/2012
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I have a 2007 Jayco Designer 5th wheel that had frame issue up in the front. We first noticed issues with the interior closet that is right over the King Pin. We made a trip across country and the closet started coming apart. I had to make several repairs while we were on the trip.
Went I returned home I took the rig back tho the selling dealer and showed them what was happening. They lifted the rig by the King Pin and while standing inside we could feel the floor move and could see the closet move by almost 1 1/2". By this point the rig was out of warranty but the dealer went back to Jayco for their assistance. The end result was there were two angle iron pieces one on each side that were not properly welded. Jayco paid the dealer for the repairs but it took over two months to get the rig repaired.
In you case I would press to talk with a manager at Jayco regarding your frame issues. This shouldn't have happened if the frame was manufactured properly. Don't give up, go to Good Sam and see if they cn help to put pressure on Jayco and Dexter to repair the frame. If all else fails get a laywer.
|
ExRocketScientist
Laurel, MD
Senior Member
Joined: 11/11/2010
View Profile
|
I have the same crossmember setup on a 2003 Jayco. The welds started cracking on mine. I ended up welding some trusses I made crosswise of the trailer and have had no further issues. I used the trusses because I had some additional use for them being there. Really all you need to do is weld up the crack, fishplate the area, and box the spring hangers. The first two items fix the damage. The latter keeps it from happening again. It involves nothing more than welding a piece of 3/16" thick 2x3 channel to the backs of the spring hangers crosswise of the trailer. You can see what I am talking about by looking it up in the Dexter axle catalog. They recommend it for trailers with 7K and up axles, but I would recommend it in your case no matter what the axle rating is. Alternatively, you could install the Mor Ryde X-factor cross member.
ERS
|
RamTX
Houston Area
Senior Member
Joined: 06/16/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
EXRocketScientist,
Sounds like you had the same exact problem I have. Did you try and get Dexter to help in fixing it-just wondering. I also failed to mention that I installed the Dexter EZ Flex system on my trailer which I think you might have installed. I somewhat understand what you did, but a picture (as they say is worth a 1000 words) if you are able to take one would be greatly appreciated. One other question, was the C channel installed between the I-beam, welded all around or just welded in a couple of places? Thanks for your excellent response.
|
|
|
