I have a 2022 370GB made in March of 2021 so I only have 3 slides. The problem I noticed was cracking around one of the screws holding the underneath panel around the pinbox. I loosened the screw so it did not crack or break all the way through. I then went inside the trailer, into the front closet and took off the covers around the outside of the floor that covers the frame where the lag bolts are located. On the passenger or right side of the trailer one of the bolts was out an inch or so. I screwed it back in and tightened the others, they were loose but not visibly loose. None of the bolts on the street or left side were out, just a little loose. I stepped out of the closet into the bathroom and pulled out the bottom drawer from the cabinet between the sinks. I could see the frame continuing from the closet back through the bathroom. There were holes in the frame, I could see the wood in the frame but there has never been any bolts installed back that far in the trailer. I guess that is because it is past the overhang on the front of the trailer.
So my concern about frame flex. When I put the trailer on my truck and raise the landing gear I can see the pinbox go up inside the trailer, cracking the panel around the pinbox where the screw attach. It appears as if the trailer does not move and the pinbox moves up from the trailer weight. I checked the seams around the trim on the overhang for any separation while resting on the truck. At the most I have a couple of spots about the thickness of a playing card between the silicon edge and trim piece.
I am going to attempt to attach a short video and a picture of the screw with the cracks.
Lynn it looks like the images you attempted to place in the post failed - can you post the images again? That will give a more clear idea of what you are experiencing. Unfortunately this forum platform is not really friendly with videos but if you have another place to upload that video and share the link that would help.
I am very familiar with the common flex issues that occurred in the Vanleigh line. The pinbox appearing to move independent of the rest of the rig as it is placed under load can be a serious issue with the steel frame. We did some testing with what you describe with the pinbox while at the Tishomingo service center however while most of the units experienced minor movement (stated by Lippert to be in tolerence) in the pinbox none had localized damage as you describe. Reviewing your pictures will help demonstrate what you are experiencing. Do you have the stock pinbox? Do you see any marks around the bolts of the pinbox indicating the pinbox has any movement?
It is very uncommon for a 2022 and up 370GB to have the typical flex issues that many of the Vanleigh units suffered since they removed the forward curbside slide in the 2022 models and the street side slide is farther back. It is also uncommon for the pinbox support welds to have failed. With that said there have been many incidents of the steel angle weld to the side tubing of the frame to fail associated with the more common flex issue. That angle iron along with the lags from the interior support the walls to the frame. WIth all of that said any of these issues have been rare on 22 forward 370GBs. Pictures will help.
These two pics show what I describe. This is the pinbox support welds to the tubing as well as the angle on the side that supports the walls.
Thanks Ryan, this is my video, I did get the pictures to post but they are not much good without this. After looking at your pictures, I think my next step is to go inside the trailer and have my wife raise the landing gear and see if I have any movement.
The pictures / video do say a lot. The lags backing out in your picture is not a good sign. With some time those are going to back out again and shear off. I know several folks that have attempted correcting themselves one even using concrete anchors until it failed again and eventually had the common weld breaks in the wall. With that much movement backing out and eventually shearing the lags other things start to get pressure they shouldn’t and fail.
I know you rig is out of warranty but I would contact Tiffin for counsel / guidance for correction. Outside of that feedback they have been extremely helpful with others repairing this even outside of warranty. I am aware of two recent 2018s that had a similar issue; one being repaired last year and the other still scheduled to be repaired at no cost. Unfortunately, however Tiffin has been helpful with this they require you to go to Redbay Alabama for that “good will” repair. Fore warning although they have covered for many I know of several that have had to pay for the repair even when going back to Redbay. Shawn Cole has changed roles from support but he is the one most often getting units out of warranty to be covered.
Of course you have many other options but will come with some cost. If you are near Indiana I highly recommend Affinity RV.
Thanks Ryan, unfortunately Utah is not close to either place but we are planning an eastward trip for February. Not a time That I would want to go north though. I have talked to Shawn quite a bit in the first year that we had our trailer but not since then. He was great help solving some of our problems. Shawn seemed to be a very busy guy back then. I guess I will contact RedBay and see where that goes. You haven’t heard of any trailers falling apart in the middle of the road while towing have you?
I understand the proximity issue - I made the trip from Boise Idaho too many times. In fact January of this year I left Boise and landed in Tish and Redbay. Beautiful time to visit Tishomingo State Park - the ticks arent out.
If I am in your position having previous dealings with him, I would shoot an email with pics and seeking advice. He has been an excellent resource for myself even as of a few months ago. Make sure to use his current email address: shawn.cole@tiffinmotorhomes.com.
If you dont end up making the trek to Tish / Redbay for the repair he can likely advise a recommended place in Utah. I know they have sent a few with the typical flex issues to a place in Salt Lake. I guess I have some trust issues with some of the repair places - I know somebody that is on their 6th flex frame repair. Glad it was a one and done with ours.
Anyone have some magic for getting the sheared off end pieces of the lag bolts out of the wall? As it turned out, my bolt that was out about an inch was the only one not broken but it was bent. Has anyone drilled them out to remove them with an easy out? I would like to put new ones in before I move the trailer again. I bought some stainless steel ones, hoping I can get the trailer repaired before they break
Well, I got the lag bolts out, I ended up with 3 sheard off bolts on the curb side and 1 bent lag bolt, bent where the others had sheared off. On the street side I had 1 sheared off bolt, 1 bent bolt, the two back ones were ok. The bent and sheared off bolts I replaced wit 3/8 inch stainless steel lags. I put the trailer back on the truck and it did eliminate the movement.
Today, I decided to remove the trim piece that holds and seals the underneath panel and side wall on the overhang section. I only did the one side so my view was through a 1 inch crack and an inspection camera. I was expecting to see the frame and plate with the aluminum wall on the plate. Instead, I saw the frame with the aluminum wall frame next to it. With the inspection camera I could see what looked like there could be a piece attached to the steel trailer frame but it would be sandwiched by aluminum wall framing.
I did send my original pictures of the problem to Shawn last Friday, after he looked at it, he suggested I open a case with Lippert. I did that on Monday,. Lippert responded with a request for pictures of e everything including tow vehicle, hitch, trailer condition, trailer axels and springs. But I miss understood lippert, they were telling me that is what Tiffin might request and to send it to them. So I sent all the pictures to Tiffin, tomorrow I will contact them again and figure out my next plan.
Should my wall be sitting on top of the angle iron welded to the side of the frame or does the angle iron slide into a slot?
Good to hear that you were able to replace the lags. These are the best pictures I that I am able to find on my phone showing the wall on the steel angle- these are screenshots taken from video. I have pictures from manufacturing prior to the filon sweep being attached as well of pictures from Affinity RV but would have to go back on hard drive archives to find them.
I think I said it prior but it is somewhat common for the weld on the angle to the steel tubing of the frame to break. Mine was broken and I am aware of many others that have experienced the same. When you remove that trim and pull down the sweep you can get a good look at it to make sure it is in tact.
In addition to the pictures I am attaching a link to a video of our Beacon with the standard flex issues being repaired at Affinity. You may have seen this as I have posted it in this forum prior. The standards that Tish and Tiffin are using today are based off our repair. Although it seems like your issues may be a bit different this may help illustrate some of the construction portion we are discussing.
Thanks Ryan, looking at the first picture, I see the frame and the angle iron the wall is sitting on. It looks like the wall is screwed down to the angle bracket. My trailer does not look like that. I see the frame on mine and the wall next to it with no angle iron or screws along the bottom of the wall. I am wondering on mine if there is another piece of angle aluminum along the bottom just covering the angle iron.
I will remove a few more screws tomorrow and see if I can get a picture of mine.
Your steel frame in that area will be like mine since there were no changes made to the steel frame. This screenshot shows the piece you are seeing hanging after it was separated from the frame but prior to being pulled completely down. In the previous pictures you will see that it was being held down and sandwiched with the filon.
