Bent frame.....

[Captain America]

I had to drop coroplast down to repair a couple of water leaks, which I'm still working on. When coroplast is down, I organize some wires and inspected everything else.

I noticed the last back crossmember has a bend/buckle in it. I checked the I beam and the beam on bunk slideout side has the bend, while opposite beam is straight. The I beam bend starts at the crossmember holding spare tire. I measured the width of frame before the bend and at the rear. The difference is 1/4". So beam under slideout has a bend of 1/4" starting at spare tire crossmember.

I know a 1/4" is not much, but do I need to worry about? Contact GD for documentation? Could of been like that when the frame was manufactured? I know the hitch also acts as a crossmember and it is fine.

[Aridon]

That is a heck of a bend on that frame.

When I first read the post I missed the cross member that was bent in the back. Interesting that the bump is on the slide out. I'd guess there is a connection there.

Must have been quite a bit of energy to bend it like that. I'm surprised at how plumb everything else looks on the outside of that bend.

[Chiefblueman]

I had to drop coroplast down to repair a couple of water leaks, which I'm still working on. When coroplast is down, I organize some wires and inspected everything else.

I noticed the last back crossmember has a bend/buckle in it. I checked the I beam and the beam on bunk slideout side has the bend, while opposite beam is straight. The I beam bend starts at the crossmember holding spare tire. I measured the width of frame before the bend and at the rear. The difference is 1/4". So beam under slideout has a bend of 1/4" starting at spare tire crossmember.

I know a 1/4" is not much, but do I need to worry about? Contact GD for documentation? Could of been like that when the frame was manufactured? I know the hitch also acts as a crossmember and it is fine.

You mention the back crossmember has a buckle in it. Pretty sure that crossmember was straight when it was installed. How's your tire wear look? Seems either the frame was dropped somewhere during assembly, (highly unlikely), or you've suffered some damage on the road. Take lots of detailed pics, maybe with a tape measure showing the differences. Possibly pay to have it professionally inspected, then contact GDRV and provide them with your findings. Your frame and crossmember definitely should not be bent. The buckle in the crossmember has definitely compromised its design strength.

[Cate&Rob]

@Captain America,

My guess is that damage was there before the trailer was built. It would be difficult to imagine how that could happen without some corresponding body damage. If you have ever been to the assembly plant, it is pretty easy to see how that damage could be done. The frames arrive in a pile, are unloaded with over head lifts. Assembly starts upside down with the coroplast and suspension, then the frame is flipped over. None of this is done very "gently".

Since this is the very back cross frame, it is not carrying much side-to-side load (unless you tow with that back hitch receiver). I would keep an eye on it but if you can't attribute any problems to it being bent, it is probably safe to assume that it has always been that way and isn't likely to change.

Just my opinion . . .
Rob

[Captain America]

I agree, might of been bent before they started to build RV on frame. I diagonally measured from front of frame to front leaf spring hanger and those measurements are good. Frame is square to suspension. No abnormal tire wear. The measured width of frame is good till where the bend starts, then tapers inward behind second from last crossmember by 1/4".

[SolarPoweredRV]

Since you have a new coach, I'd contact Grand Design and have them take a look at it (probably through the Dealer). I also know that LCI has mobile frame experts and GD might send someone out from LCI directly.

Good Luck, and keep us informed.

[Captain America]

I have a few big trips planned for May and July. I will keep an eye on the bend and continue to take measurements. The bunkhouse slide out works fine with bend in frame. This should be covered under the 3 year structural warrant?????.

I will try and take pictures of the bend in the I beam.

[JCR GD]

I have a very similar "bend" on my very front cross member. It was definitely made before construction since nothing else has damage and there is a minor mark at the spot. Apparently they don't check the frames for damage before they start assembly Nothing has moved or changed in 4+ years so in my case I feel like it's not a problem.

[powerscol]

You hitch has also moved (washer now offset in first picture). That should be checked too.

[gbkims]

Any sign of frame flange not flat at the bend?
I did note my hitch pulled the frame together a bit. I doubt this would have bent the frame.

Example photo of flange: