Bert the Welder
Van. Island
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Sounds like you're heading in the right direction Bedpan.
Suggestions that you are being uncooperative by not finding places to do the repairs are pretty ridiculous. Understanding there are increased challenges due to C19 in terms of things taking a bit longer are reasonable. Shirking off responsibility onto you for part of the warranty repair work is just crazy. Like you said, you're not qualified to make determinations regarding a shops competency. And nor should you have to be. Smells a bit like Heartland is looking to lay it on you if the repair doesn't work. Hopefully Lippert is more responsive and responsible.
And yes, welding qualifications vary from Province to Province. (Something I find strange but is what we get when the country operates as little fiefdoms.)
But yes, they need to be certified.
* This post was
edited 08/30/20 07:25pm by an administrator/moderator *
"> 1998 GMC 2500, 10.5 Okanagan, My better/smarter half, George and Finnegan(APBT), all I need.
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GDS-3950BH
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Lynnmor wrote:
That is basically what is needed. The break next to the bottom flange will need some additional attention. The cross pieces do the same job as the X-Factor. I made my own and bolted them in to allow removal for service above.
And there you have it......Lippert even has SOP's and assigned number parts in place. Sort of makes one think why the reinforcement plate and tubes are not used when fabbing their junk to begin with.
They're simply gambling on folks not using the rig enough during the warranty period for the issues to crop up.
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GDS-3950BH
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Bert the Welder wrote:GDS-3950BH wrote:Bert the Welder wrote:Yeah, no, don't do the DIY welding thing. Not only could void your warranty but also could void your insurance as well as make the failure worse.
Drives me nuts we people suggest someone just fire up a buzz box and start blazing away like they're using a glue gun on a Christmas ornament.
This work should be done by a professional weldor and one chosen by the manufacturer, not you.
You do not have to be a "professional welder" to lean how to weld.
The OP's warranty was essentially worthless the day he purchased the trailer as stated in his posting. Lippert will use every play in their playbook to get out of warranty claims as will a lot of the RV manufacturers, the OP is not the only person to learn that the hard way.
Could void your insurance? Come on man. By that logic you should not change brake pads on your car nor put new shingles on the roof of your home yourself.
Considering you have to learn to weld before becoming a professional weldor, you seem to be confused.
Anyone can get a couple of pieces of metal to stick together. It's the morons that think this qualifies them to do anything more then weld garden ornaments that are my issue when it comes to making proper repairs on something just slightly more critical. Like a couple thousands pounds, hurtling down the road with other people around.
And if you don't know how to properly change your brake pads or shingle a roof, then no, you shouldn't do it and yes, if you do it incorrectly, it can void your insurance coverage.
LOL......Semantics.
I know welders with stacks of cert papers who can not weld a garden ornament together. Have seen their "professional" work rejected so many times on jobs in the building and heavy industrial sectors I can't count them all.
Plenty of unqualified roofers and mechanics around also. I have yet to see or hear of anyone's auto or homeowners insurance being voided over it.
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Heavy Metal Doctor
Mason Dixon Line
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OH48Lt wrote:Get the repair specs and procedure from Lippert, and take it to a good frame or welding shop and get it done.
This is about the best answer I've seen in this thread. Its the awful reality of the situation.
I'd weld it all up solid and then have trailer specialist go over the alignment of the axles.
* This post was
edited 08/30/20 07:26pm by an administrator/moderator *
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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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GDS-3950BH wrote:Lynnmor wrote:
That is basically what is needed. The break next to the bottom flange will need some additional attention. The cross pieces do the same job as the X-Factor. I made my own and bolted them in to allow removal for service above.
And there you have it......Lippert even has SOP's and assigned number parts in place. Sort of makes one think why the reinforcement plate and tubes are not used when fabbing their junk to begin with.
They're simply gambling on folks not using the rig enough during the warranty period for the issues to crop up.
Seems people want to blame Lippert. WRONG Company. It is Heartland. LCI just builds the frames to the SPECS that the RV Maker engineers supply. So, LCI gets the gauge metal(Heartland specs) and installs the crossmembers and hangers where the HEARTLAND engineers state to install. When LCI goes out in the field to repair frames, they Charge Back the cost to the RV Maker(Heartland). Doug
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Chum lee
Albuquerque, NM
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I agree with Doug. The repair document(s) appear to be prepared by Lippert. Clearly, Heartland/Lippert are both aware of the fault(s), hence, the repair documents exist. However, in the world of engineering, sometimes one company gives another company, (usually a supplier) whats called a "performance spec." These are general specifications which lack detail and require the supplier to provide some design work. If that's the case here, both companies could share some partial responsibility. Just a guess.
Was this RV built AND sold initially in the USA? As I understand, it's now in Canada. Without reading the terms of the warranty, there could be "across the border" legal issues which are further described the the text of the warranty.
Per the drawings, Lippert provides a part number for the repair parts. If you could get the repair parts package in full, I wouldn't have problem finding a certified welder to install them. (you should be fully reimbursed for your expenses in doing this) This isn't rocket science. You will be possibly opening a can of worms should there be additional issues, but at least you could safely move on from your present stalemate. Good luck to you.
Chum lee
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MEXICOWANDERER
las peñas, michoacan, mexico
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I finished the frame of my bus in red Rost O Leum primer, three coats then BODY SHOOTZ, four gallons worth. Zero rust 100% adhesion after 33 years. It's been on a pad for the last 12-years.
* This post was
edited 08/30/20 01:20pm by MEXICOWANDERER *
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bedpan
Canada
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GDS-3950BH wrote:
And there you have it......Lippert even has SOP's and assigned number parts in place. Sort of makes one think why the reinforcement plate and tubes are not used when fabbing their junk to begin with.
They're simply gambling on folks not using the rig enough during the warranty period for the issues to crop up.
This... Based on what I have seen and read its just letting the problem fester and hope warranty is up before it has to be fixed.. Thats how I see it but maybe I am wrong.
dougrainer wrote:
Seems people want to blame Lippert. WRONG Company. It is Heartland. LCI just builds the frames to the SPECS that the RV Maker engineers supply. So, LCI gets the gauge metal(Heartland specs) and installs the crossmembers and hangers where the HEARTLAND engineers state to install. When LCI goes out in the field to repair frames, they Charge Back the cost to the RV Maker(Heartland). Doug
I may well be wrong but I would would assume (I know its a dangerous word), that this is a lippert designed trailer. Lippert has there own warranty on it outside of heartland which leads me to believe that heartland i just buying and reselling the trailer. If it was made for heartland on spec it would have a heartland sticker on it not lippert. Just me guessing though.
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:I finished the frame of my bus in red Rost O Leum primer, three coats then BODY SHOOTZ, four gallons worth. Zero rust 100% adhesion after 33 years. It's been on a pad for the last 12-years.
I have some questions about this but I will leave it until I get this major issue resolved first..
* This post was
edited 08/30/20 07:46pm by an administrator/moderator *
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bedpan
Canada
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Chum lee wrote:I agree with Doug. The repair document(s) appear to be prepared by Lippert. Clearly, Heartland/Lippert are both aware of the fault(s), hence, the repair documents exist. However, in the world of engineering, sometimes one company gives another company, (usually a supplier) whats called a "performance spec." These are general specifications which lack detail and require the supplier to provide some design work. If that's the case here, both companies could share some partial responsibility. Just a guess.
Was this RV built AND sold initially in the USA? As I understand, it's now in Canada. Without reading the terms of the warranty, there could be "across the border" legal issues which are further described the the text of the warranty.
Per the drawings, Lippert provides a part number for the repair parts. If you could get the repair parts package in full, I wouldn't have problem finding a certified welder to install them. (you should be fully reimbursed for your expenses in doing this) This isn't rocket science. You will be possibly opening a can of worms should there be additional issues, but at least you could safely move on from your present stalemate. Good luck to you.
Chum lee
Missed this one in my big reply..
The trailer was Bought in Canada new from a Heartland dealer. There should be no issues as far as Warranty is concerned. That said I have not found a definitive answer as to how long the frame is warrantied.
My next step is to try and talk to Lippert and the Dealer tomorrow and see if we can get things moving. Lippert may come to bat and have some suggestions on qualified repair places and we can sort out how to get the trailer there.
We shall see.. I am just hoping I can find time in my work day to actually make some phone calls.
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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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LCI DOES NOT build any RV's. They just supply a LOT of the components that are used in the build. LCI will stand by the Frame. It is just getting LCI and Heartland to get together and get it done for you. I will tell you, to get the best result, you HAVE to do this
1. Type up a letter with your PIC of the VIN sticker included and all pics of your problem. Your letter states what is wrong and you cannot get any help from Heartland or LCI
2. DO NOT GET NASTY (at this point)
3. Try to include all pertinent info in your letter. Include copies of your Sales agreement.
4. Send the same letter and pic copies to the President of Heartland and the President of LCI.
5. Send the same to Heartland Customer service referencing your copies to the Presidents.
6. Send them Certified----This IS important. You will have a record of them getting the letters
7. Just ask that they take care of your problem without you having to jump thru all sorts of hoops.
8. TRUST ME. This will get a response. Doug
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