I've been exploring some of the issues associated with camper and trailer design, and if there's one issue that everyone's talking about, it's frame flex. Well, in an interview, Lippert, one of the world's most prolific frame builders, reveals all about the topic of frame flex.
As we study some of the problems associated with mobile living, one term keeps popping up: frame flex. Well, one manufacturer that has been hounded for this problem is none other than Lippert, one of the largest, if not the largest, builders of RV frames and other components in the world. According to some sources, this team makes nearly 1,000 RV frames a day; that already seems a little trivial.
Well, in an interview with Big Truck Big RV, Lippert answers some of the questions that surround frame flex: What is it? How does it happen? What are brands doing to stop it, and ultimately, what can the end user expect from their RV?
Now, Lippert has already appeared in the news countless times, and most of the time for hype-related reasons, so this interview is also an opportunity for Lippert to explain his side of the story and, possibly, clear his name: that final judgment is up to you.
Photo: Big Truck Big RV | YouTube screenshot
To begin with, the term “frame bending” is usually cast rather loosely, since regardless of the structure, some bending is normal. Remember, materials, whether concrete, wood, plastic or even metals, have a certain plasticity. That's why skyscrapers sway in the wind but never collapse. But a “excessive flexion,” or one that is outside the normal limits set by manufacturers, is the “frame bending” that most people think of.
The second part of the story is the superstructure, usually attached to the frame or chassis, and according to Lippert, this is where the problems start to appear. In a hunky-dory world, the habitat shell, or superstructure as it is often called, attaches to a prefabricated chassis and works together to support each other, creating a structure that is rigid, but not too rigid. In short, the chassis reinforces the shell, and vice versa.
This also means that each body is chassis-specific, so you shouldn’t just throw last year’s chassis options on this year’s RV models if brands make major changes to their makeup or floorplan. Heck, even small changes can put stress on different parts of the chassis where you might not want them.
Photo: Big Truck Big RV | YouTube screenshot
To avoid such problems, chassis manufacturers and RV brands constantly communicate what goes where and why, but not always: “Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.” Furthermore, chassis manufacturers appear to have no responsibility for how an RV builder constructs the body, how it is attached, or even whether it fits a particular chassis; it is up to the RV companies. Lippert representatives even state that they do not dictate in any way how RV manufacturers should use Lippert chassis, “There are industry accepted practices” at play here.
With a better understanding of the parts of this puzzle when it comes to frame flex, how does it happen? One problem is the lack of engineering on the part of RV brands; I would also add Lippert, but hey. Since a superstructure is made up of multiple walls, a roof, a floor, and end caps, if any of these components are out of place in any way, it can cause long-term problems.
Another way excessive frame flex can manifest is through use. Apparently, this is the most common problem seen in campers and RVs that have been used a lot. It makes sense; as you drive, the units are exposed to the twists, turns, and vibrations of the road and some components can break if the right R&D hours have not been invested in the model.
Photo: Big Truck Big RV | YouTube screenshot
Finally, the end user is a critical factor in this problem. Overloading units, improper weight distribution, and even thinking you can get over that pothole in the road are some of the problems that RVs and other mobile homes are exposed to. Fumbling with a unit’s pivot is also a common occurrence that leads to frame flexing in some way; according to Lippert, a particular frame is built to work with a specific pivot box, and fiddling with length, height, or any other factor can seriously damage the frame; it puts stress in the wrong places.
Oddly enough, in another video completed by Big Truck Big RV, the channel host mentions that RVs and other on-road living units can experience frame flex when towing loads behind them, especially if you tow outside of the manufacturer’s suggested limits. But wait, there’s more. Frame flex can occur even when towing WITHIN the manufacturer’s suggested weight limits. What can I say; I’ll stop there.
Now, if you have time to sit down and watch a few minutes of very interesting footage, I recommend you do so. But if I may add my opinion on how Lippert handles “frame bending,” I got the feeling that they were looking at the whole thing from a very detached perspective, with a bit of a “It's not my fault” attitude.
Photo: Liz Amazing | YouTube Screenshot
Frames play a crucial role in the construction of a camper, and ignoring problems, no matter how small, can be life-threatening. We’ve seen fifth wheels with entire support structures fall out, and that’s downright dangerous for camper owners and anyone sharing the road with these rolling behemoths.
But until manufacturers decide to dig deep into their pockets to fix some of these issues, what can we do? First, do some research: Google, join discussion groups, ask questions, and find the best brands to work with. Once you’ve done that, you’ll need to keep a close eye on your unit.
If you’ve ever owned a home, you know what it’s like to constantly be doing something around the house, repairing, maintaining, and checking to make sure you always have hot water, no electrical fires, and whatever else you can think of. The same goes for an RV; do periodic inspections, even right after you’ve driven through questionable roads or terrain. I invite you to leave your thoughts and chatter in the comments section below.
