Anyone have any problems with their fifth wheel travel trailer flexing to the point of caulk seperation,and sidewall cracks? Among other flexing related issues.My research has shown this to be a problem with the Forest River Sierra/Sandpiper lines 2005 and up.If you know anything chime in.My 2006 has failed.

 

Are you using a G/N adaptor? All 5vrs flex to a point if it didn't the fiberglass walls would shatter. I've never seen the sidewalls crack on a fiberglass trailer however the caulk seperation in common

 

No adapter. And other issues attributed to the flexing I'm sure. Cracked window ,tires rubbing on the fenders after our first trip,compartment doors coming open as we traveled.There is other stuff as well. It took me awhile, but all these things are finally adding up.

 

Wow sounds like you may have some serious issues. Have you checked the axles to make sure your not "dog tracking" also do you store the trailer on a level surface?

 

I have never checked for dog tracking.but I will now.And the trailer is always stored on a concrete flat surface,unless we are out using it,then it depends on what we can get at the campground.But we usually get pull thrus when they are available.

 

Is yours a long one with a slide? like 36 to 40 ft? I have towed quite a few sandpipers back to Indiana for cracked sidewalls, and so have other drivers for the company I am leased to. You need to contact FR and don't let them BS you about warranty period. It is a well known failure.

 

I had a very bad prob with this on my camper we were leaving alaska on our way to georgia and we hadent even driven 300 miles yet and we had two inch gaps in the caulk and sidewalls all the way from the top to the bottom of the camper we were still under warranty but they still tried to give us a hard time when we called the manufacturer in Dallas, OR so my wife got involed and used the fact that i had just got back from Iraq just a few weeks earlier and that i was gone for 17 months and that when we arrive at our next duty that i was due to leave again for another 15 months I wasnt to happy that she did that but it got the job done we have never pulled out the patriot card before but this time had no choice. they told us that they forgot to put some support brackets in where the propane goes so that was the reason it broke. now that its fixed we love it but it shouldnt have to be a fight to get something fixed that is under warranty

 

GAmes it is!Its 36' with 3 slides.As of now we went to our dealer and they seemed unaware of this problem.However they do agree that it is not right,so now we wait for them to get in touch with FR and make some kind of dission.Do you know what they do as far as a fix? And are they succesful?And as for using the patriot card,these MFG should not be abusing any customer,and if thats what it takes ,AMEN! Thank You for your service!!!

 

Don't let the dealer drag their feet. Most of them don't want to deal with the problem, you might have to contact the mfg yourself. Document everything , from phone calls to emails. Take lots of pictures, including the frame and anything unusual.

Good Luck!

 

I do have,many pictures.None of the frame as it is covered by the sidewalls.And all is documented.

 

they fixed mine by lifting the part that goes over the bed untill all the gaps were gone and welding the support beams in place and then they just put some new caulk and as for the cracks in the side they put this plastic stripping and glued it on and that was pretty much that. it don't look like it did when it was brand new but it still looks good you cant really tell unless you really look at it or unless your familiar with campers. but i hope yours turns out better than new

 

UPDATE! As of now my dealer called and said FR is going to replace the sidewall.And repair the cause of the flexing.The dealer asked that I bring it to them and they will take it to FR.They want to see what causes this and what is done to repair it.I too want to see and know these things.I would take it myself if they will let me.I have mixed feelings about this repair.I'm happy they did'nt just send me down the road and say too bad.But I'm uneasy about my trailer being disassembled and put back.I can't see how this industry pulls this off.If I rebuild a wreck,it needs to be inspected before it can be put back on the road.And I never heard of any auto MFG say we'll send it back to Detroit and they'll try again!I can't believe the lack of regulation and standards in this industry!And nobody does anything about it.There are forums filled with nothing but problems with these things.Boy, you talk about buyers remorse!

 

Actually it will be repaired by Total RV Repair in Goshen. They have a lot of experience with this particular problem and from what I could see all the workers speak English as a first language. I think you will be happy with the repair. Be sure to take EVERYTHING out of it, drain the water and winterize it unless the dealer will do it for you.

 

Thats good to know! I will empty it and winterize it. Thanks Again GAmes!

 

Well I have it back.I have to say,they did a nice job.I had no problems at all with the process,it went smooth.They did screw up the decals,and I'm in the process of getting that squared away,they don't match the originals.I was a little worried that I would get screwed over but all went well.