RIVERSTONE Fifth Wheel RVs! Part 1: THE FRAME! Factory Tour
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
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This, among other reasons, is why we chose RiverStone to buy our rig for full-time living.
Their frame is one of the reasons why I bought a Riverstone! ❤
I believe that not only myself but other people will be willing to pay more for quality! Some say they are quality, and you pay more, and turns out not to be quality! Thank you for this tour. If I decide on a fifth wheel, I will buy from them! 👍💞And if you want a sturdier RV, one to last, especially going through an earthquake every time you tow, then this is what ya get! And a bigger truck! 🤭
Only had ours for a month or so now, no issues and very happy with everything about the unit.
Thank you, J.D.. this was a good start to this series.
This approach reflects a comment I made back on your frame flex / frame fail issues.
Manufacturers have got to build the trailers to a standard. Not to a specific weight, etc..
Make the rigs to what they need to be to be safe, strong, and reliable. If a rig is excessively heavy, then either reduce the leangth or produce them without dishwashers, washers, and dryers , and placard that they are not to have those items installed.
If someone wants the big, heavy rigs, then they need a truck that will handle it. If someone owns a 3/4 ton truck, then shop for a rig that falls within the safe towing limits of that vehicle. Avoid a lot of issues that way.
Thank you for what you are doing , or trying to do with this series.
With the issues that have come up, the industry has some huge hurdles to overcome to gain trust back.
Thank you again.
God bless you and your family. Y'all star safe on your travels.
I wish Riverstone would make a smaller fifth wheel trailer (30') using this frame.
They could use 3/16 on a 30 ft .
Outstanding built frame.
My old boss said once:
QUALITY IS LONG REMEMBERED AFTER THE PRICE HAS BEEN FORGOTTEN.
This saying speaks volumes about this frame.
Thak you for sharing.
Looks like a much stronger foundation for a 'house' than the one we saw at Lippert.
Their whole build process is why we purchased our girl in 2021
46 years certified RV tech.
Ive always said nothing strong about an RV, its the sum of all parts.
That is a solid looking frame 👍 13:09
I have a Riverstone Legacy 39FK, and I am grateful for the tours and knowledge coming from these videos! Thank you for making these! This IS why I bought a Riverstone!
What I have learned is that it is best to buy quality up front for an increased price and save a lot of headache and money during ownership! The problem is that more expensive RV’s are not necessarily the best design or quality. I’ve had expensive trailers that are problematic and poorly designed. They use nice materiel but the way they were put together was sorely lacking or there was a design flaw. I like Riverstone’s methods of frame design. By making that upper deck beam so much longer it disperses the stress of towing over a larger area. I’m not an engineer but it makes sense. What they’re doing needs to become a standard for frame design. That standard needs to be regulated, to where RV manufacturer’s can’t deviate from when requesting a frame from Lippert or any other manufacturer. Good video. It’s good to see a manufacturer that really cares about putting out a good product and not take shortcuts!
I have a river stone and had no issues love my fifth wheel 😊
I greatly appreciate Nick’s knowledge, I have watched many of Riverstone’s videos and he knows his product. And for a production model company, they build an amazing product. Thank you for sharing and showing what a fantastic Rv can look like in a production line setting.
At 4:43, Nick talks about these units with 4, 5, 6 slide outs. More and bigger slide outs that mean you are not getting strength from the walls.
Exactly. I've been preaching that sermon for some time now. When you start opening up these walls, you better be damn sure your frame is designed and built right.
Thank you. Very nice. I have never looked at a Riverstone, but, I will now.
Wow they are nice, not sure what your interested N..Riverstone has several nice floorplans, front office and the front kitchen garage unit under the bed are the two that really catch my attention.
Same with me. I had my eye on a Grand Design Momentum as a full time option, but I'm really weary about buying a GD. I'm going to look at what options Riverstone has.
I truly love the Riverstone Legacy. It is a beautiful unit.
We love our Riverstone 42FSKG! Have never done the factory tour so I’m looking forward to this series!!
This echos what several of us have stated: the "box" - the structure on top of the frame - is of vital importance in terms of overall strength. I think that the more people are discovering the simple engineering truth that there is no free lunch, that material in the right places adds some costs in both the product and the tow vehicle but 'stronger' body/chassis combinations will provide longer, more trouble-free service.
I love this video, because it proves Lippert isn’t a crappy company, they BUILD WHAT THE COMPANY ASKS OF THEM. This should be good for the industry. Thanks
Given a budget I can build nice things too. LCI and their engineering team are responsible for manufacturing many underbuilt, failure prone frames. It is a finger pointing game. Consumer, end manufacturers, and LCI all pointing at each other. The consumer loses, because they were the only party that wasn't culpable in the design, and it becomes their mess.
My Lippert frame built in 2019 has been welded 3 times because of very poor welds. My camper is a 21 foot ultra light but the frame is just terrible quality.
I agree with you, that they build to the customers specs. But their quality control needs work also. There are many pictures online of terrible welding. That should never leave the plant
I been a welder for over 29 years. Production welds are what it saids. However, a welder should care about the standards in his/her welds.
You did a great job on this video. We have been in our 39RKFB for 2 1/2 years full time and have traveled coast to coast pulling with a 2022 F350 Diesel Dually. Before buying the 5th wheel I looked at construction at serval manufactures. Riverstone won hands down. We do have independent suspension which has proven to be great.
Thanks a lot for this video and looking forward to see the other ones you are planning to continue have from Riverstone.
I been searching for videos related to their product but not much luck seeing the full story.
I have my eyes locked in their 2023/2024 Riverstone 45BATH but I been wanting to learn more about their product before I make any decision.
Nick knows his product but he is very careful with his words that makes me have a second thought, but you as an outsider may help me more to understand. Thanks again.
Yes called canterleveling but still no gussets in corner joints. If they not concerned over weight add gussets.
Surface area of welds count.
Flexing frame damage comes from a failure
Hey David- We have been a subscriber for some time but, being a shy Georgia Country boy, I don't post very much. ( GO DAWGS!!!) My wife and I have watched your Riverstone Factory tour series about 4 times now. We own a 2022 39RKFB which is our 4th 5th wheel over a period of about 10 years. We have a new 421FK Riverstone Legacy on order with many options and a Georgia Bulldog paint scheme. We just want to compliment you on the job you do, and we also enjoy watching your other videos on various subjects and covering other RVs. I do have a video request. Nick mentioned in your tour series the Riverstone's are painted at another site which does the Coachman and other Forest River products I think Nick said. I think the name of the facility is Loran or something like that. It would be a great video I think - just trying to keep you busy. Also, while you are at it, I think you should do a video on Bills Happy Camper - very unique dealership and I think the biggest Riverstone dealer in the U.S. Keep up the good work ya'll!
You got to build a sturdy foundation or the rest of the build is going to crumble. Good video, good info and the Riverstone lineup looks awesome !!!! Thanks for sharing this, I love factory tours…..
I have known about the plant tour for Riverstone for several years. I hope they will update and redo them. It is why if I had the $ I would have purchased one. Unfortunately they become unaffordable now. I belivd they are well built structurally. Others are well made as well so if you have lots of $ you can get well made units. Thanks for rhe content. Pleade Riverstone, make more factory tour videos updated.
I drive a 4500 dodge dully my towing capacity is awesome my toy hauler is 43 ft long it towes like no problem. I get to hills and pass everything lol 😂.
The quarter inch 8 inch tube is many times stronger than the eighth inch 6 x 2 pin box of the grand design. The Riverstone is almost overbuilt . And thats a good thing ! The extra cost would be worth it .
I love Riverstone. We don’t have one yet but will definitely be our next rig.
Good stuff brother !!!! I love my Brookstone, but yes, I go to bed sleeping about Riverstone
Wow didn’t really know much about Riverstone… who makes them? Aren’t they owned by Forest River? If they are, hopefully they are completely separate.
I have had a RiverStone since 2018, and not had any frame issues up front. I did the MorRyde IS upgrade after breaking two shackle bolts, which has been the only frame/suspension issue to date
Great video! It's very educational to see the frame of a quality RV. I would order one with the independent suspension, and that would be the ultimate setup!
Nick did an excellent explanation of the Riverstone process, though some of the welds do not look great and wonder if they have any penetration.
Make a 2 story hydraulically lifted 42’ long fifth wheel rv with a full solar 48v system with 45kwh battery bank instead of a generator plz.
Like what Anderson mobile estates does but in fifth wheel rv fashion and dual tandom (8 tires) with a toy garage. Some of us full time in these things and we need a 2 story mobile house! The demand is there for this type of unit!! Get on it Riverstone!!!
Thanks for the video, I have owned a RiverStone for two and half years. They do include quality control in their units.
Great educational video. Frame + box together makes a solid RV. Slides in the fwd. bedroom area seriously weakens the build.
Unless reinforcements are considered in the box
Alas! A great looking frame. I'd take the heavier weight all day long!
Looking forward to the next episodes!
Thanks!
Thank you for your donation!
I like when Nick was talking about weight. He pretty much stated that they are "pretty much 1 ton dually units"
We’ve been full time since Sept 2020 in a Riverstone 39RKFB. Have had very small issues (inverter wouldn’t pass thru power on one leg when temperatures dropped below 40 degrees f, Riverstone sent new inverter), and normal things from travel. But she sure is heavy, definitely dually territory.
Thank you very much for doing this series!
Thank you for this video! Because of this video, I just went over to the Riverstone RV site and researched their models to see if one fit what I am looking for as far as a floor plan. Their frames really appear to be very solidly built. How many of the other Forest River brands have strong, solidly built frames like Riverstone? I'm no longer just looking at Brinkley!
For many years I built (welded) the steel frames on MYCO trailers.
The welds on this “higher quality” frame look horrible 😮 … unacceptable.
Thanks for a great video JD!
Great video and what a great looking frame
Thank you.
Love that frame better than the grand design
Good video !! I like how they maintain weight on the pin during assembly, good idea.
You can get riverstones in the 140 to 150 range.I personal feel like that is a great value for the money.
Nicely done JD
JD, as usual another great video. Since you were looking at the Brookstone frame, it would be awesome if you can do a comparison between the Brookstone and the Brinkley frame. Because, the Brinkley frame is supposed to be overbuilt as well. I would love to see your feedback on an A-B comparison between the two frames.
Thanks for this video JD. It is easy to see they do things allot different
Excellent Video JD. I think if you really want to open some eyes you need to do a tour of a more mass produced brand as well to show the differences. In the past one some of the Riverstone and DRV videos you have done people have claimed they are "too expensive" compared to the mass market brands like Grand Design but they are not looking under the covers like you are here. Showing this will help them understand that a beefier frame costs money, real plywood costs money, etc. There is a reason a Riverstone or DRY weighs a lot more dry than a more mass market RV of the same length and features and that weight is better materials and a more robust structure.
I would love to see you do the same tour of the DRV factory. I may be a little biased as a DRV owner but i think they build an even better rig than Riverstone does with an even beefier frame. When i was shopping, the frame and overall construction were my top priorities. We liked the Riverstone thought the DRV was just a little better built overall. Not a dig at Riverstone, they build a very nice product.
That said, how do we like our DRV? We full time in it and love it. Quality wise it has not disappointed at all. Sure we have had some growing pains like everything else but its been generally with stuff not built by DRV like the In Command system for example.
DRV certainly has some great construction as well.
Very impressive. Great video.
Very informative. Thank you. Been wanting to get a new trailer but was afraid to because of quality now a days With this interview I’ll be looking hard at this company for my next trailer.
I would to but a Riverstone rv, maybe one day and yes I don't mind paying extra.
I payed an extreme amount for
my Momentum 397THR so the statement that you have to pay more for quality, we all thought we did.
Yes, Momentums are expensive for sure BUT per ft, they aren't compared to many other brands, of course factoring sales price vs MSRP. They also have a huge focus on cosmetics, which was a big point of the video I made about quality manufacturering vs cosmetic manufacturing.
I would like to see all composite sub floors.
Thanks JD for this video Barb and I @hetteshworld have been cheerleading for are Riverstone manufacturer forever. Every chance we get on our channel.
Great Video. Love seeing that longer upper I-Beam. Basics! Leverage, Fulcrums and quality steel. I'd like to know the differences from current models to say pre-covid builds. One would think they are building stronger and better, but it may not be the case. Grades of steel...?
Well, they are not going to tell it junk 😮 this it the best there is just ask the next place you go 😉
For large shops. If you have a batch job, welding robots are the way to go. The fitters tack the parts in jigs, then the robots finish out the welding. The result is welding, like you saw.
These frames are not robotic welds
You better look again. That is not robot welds nor are they all great. They spoke about it some in the video.
@@Itsa_MeaBefore being too critical on what welds you see in a TH-cam video, look at how other manufacturers are doing it. All brands have sometimes ugly welds, even the brands people think are perfect. Diamond C is a good example. Watch this video, and look at the welds. See if you think this Riverstone has better or worse looking welds. th-cam.com/video/JX3GC0WjP_Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=vOFqdrZctwznDlh0
@@BigTruckBigRV I'm not being critical. I stated a fact. It is very clear they're not done robotically and you can easily see that in what was shown.
The average consumer is going to load their trailer with what they need for their trip no matter what the cargo carrying capacity is. He said that and that is the major problem with these frames giving out.
it’s big and heavy needs a 3500 or bigger and most don’t have that kind of truck so you get the lightest and weaker rv period.25k is heavy!
Interesting
J.D. thank you for this video, I’ve been looking at fifth wheels and really have come down to Brinkley or Riverstone. After this video I’m going to buy a 39 RKFB as soon as I can find a dealer that I feel that I can trust. As you say they are a rolling house and things happen but man that frame is first class. This is the second video I’ve seen on Riverstone and I’m very impressed, especially with Nick! Also called them about a dealer and spoke with Tom Ewing he was very helpful and now I might not need a factory tour! Again thanks for this video. If you don’t mind can you answer a truck question, F450 or a F350.
Sure
We have a F350 DRW King Ranch. It handles fine but I hear you get a better turning radius with the F450 but also you give up some ride quality.
Much better turning, rougher ride, tires are more expensive and stiffer, drinks more fuel. Those are the tradeoffs
@@cindyhawthorne7884 I’ve heard the same, going to Ford dealership tomorrow and going to decide on one or the other.
@@walterrafolski5662 we pull the 42FSKG with a Harley trike in the garage. Our F350 does a great job! My husband, the driver, loves it!
What about weld QC as they receive frames from Lippert? Many of these frame failure stories also feature crap welds from Lippert, in addition to the welds and construction of the manufacturer during the construction of the rig.
How do they QC check these frames before they start building on them?
Before being too critical on what welds you see in a TH-cam video, look at how other manufacturers are doing it. All brands have sometimes ugly welds, even the brands people think are perfect. Diamond C is a good example. Watch this video, and look at the welds. See if you think this Riverstone has better or worse looking welds. th-cam.com/video/JX3GC0WjP_Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=vOFqdrZctwznDlh0
@@BigTruckBigRV no, I was asking what their QC process was to inspect incoming frames before they build on them.
Many of the frame failure videos out there seem to feature a mix of failed, incomplete, or non-existent welds for both the Lippert frames AND the OEM-built superstructure. Didn't know if they had created a standardized process for evaluating the frames - especially anything more than a quick visual inspection - to identify cold, incomplete, or inadequate welds.
Other manufacturers don't seem to do anything formal with their frames, and there are many examples of welds being an issue from Lippert that should have been caught before the OEM even started to build on the frames.
Wasn't sure if these guys had figured out a way to standardize the process more - especially since so much is riding on it (literally and figuratively).
If so, I'm sure that would be a positive point for consumers looking at these higher-priced units.
No offense to anyone but that gusset weld at 19:31… and what I’ve seen in person.
I hope this isn’t taken as disparaging, but instead an opportunity to improve. Northwood might be on to something, doing their frame welding in house.
@@JeffinTD Wow,that's ugly.
@@zLigHt44 hopefully you meant the weld, and not my comment. Wasn’t trying to be ugly. I do have to respect the tour guy for saying you will find weld defects. Also I believe him when he says they don’t fail often.
Still, I have a $12,000 Big Tex, and although some of the dump bed welds aren’t perfect the structural frame welds are very good.
On a 5th wheel of this price point I’d expect better. I think if I were king over there, azdel inner walls, and better frame welds would be two goals.
Doing bodywork for a couple decades, but not a certified welder, I do see some welds that appear to have little penetration.
I notice you didn't do any close ups of the welds
I sure did. I noticed you didn't watch the entire video 😞
JD, What did you think of the Jeep 4xe you drove in on?
Pat
Great question! I did a full review while I had it. I'll post it soon
One thing I don’t like about these designs is, part of the structure depends on the wall. If the wall delaminates or breaks down in some way, then the whole structure fails. I totally understand the whole process, makes perfect sense, but with walls that can and do fail, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. At least with a beastly frame, you’re a lot less likely to have any frame failure
I was talking to an owner and engineer of a major gooseneck and commercial trailer over the weekend...the engineer claimed that to completely eliminate a trailer frame from "flexing" at roughly a 42ft span, the trailer frame would likely weight in excess of 15,000lbs alone. Compared to roughly 3,500lbs right now.
Oh and he said it would crack and tear apart when you used it in a short period of time
So, do they make stick and tin 5th wheels? If so, at least the wall won’t fail unless they let the roof leak and it rots. I’ll never pull one of those beasts. I’m struggling to comfortably pull a Jayco 263 RBS with my 2016 tundra TRD, lol
Thanks
@@jerrytalley802get a Dodge diesel and you’ll be a happy camper.
It's simple, build the frame like they do on a flat bed 5th wheel hauler. Look at the steel and gussets. Manufacturers should be using the wall and ceiling construction as part of the frame.
What's a Flat Bed 5th wheel hauler? A Lowboy Gooseneck? Your armchair engineering likely makes you believe that's how these need to be built, but they have SIGNIFICANTLY more flex and movement vs a fifth wheel frame when loaded.
There are people that have luxury car money and there are people that don't. There are people that have luxury RV money and people that don't. It's easy to say that you'll pay more for this kind of quality if you have this kind of money. I'm not excusing poor quality frame should be built to handle what they're asked to handle, I'm still of the opinion that most people that have issues with their fifth wheels are overloading them. And it's not just an opinion it's an educated opinion I've done some research too I don't just jump on the internet hype
It’s like Freighter building the XCL ( Lower Rail Chassis ). It’s the strongest most expensive chassis they make. All the RV manufactures stop building diesel RVs with that chassis because of costs. Now they use the cheap XCM (modular) frame. Not as strong.
Winnebago dropped the XCL Chassis after the 2020 Winnie Horizon. You will never see it again. My CCC is 8000 lbs.
If someone says “how can the walls add strength?” just tell them go look at a dry van trailer. All walls no frame and carries 40k pounds for 30 years
The only people that make great frames is Bowlus but these are very good.
JD, Did you ask if the GenY goose neck can be used with this frame? Based on what I've seen from Brinkley I would hope so.
When you ran your finger down that weld it looked like a poor weld
?? You can tell a good weld from running your finger down it?
Does riverstone make or would they consider making one under 38 ft
Rumor they are working on a smaller floorplan around 34-35 FT
Maybe Riverstone inspects their frames before building on them and holds Lippert to task for crappy welds because I have seen countless Lippert frame welds online and in person that are no where near as clean or complete as the welds on this Riverstone frame.
Before being too critical on what welds you see in a TH-cam video, look at how other manufacturers are doing it. All brands have sometimes ugly welds, even the brands people think are perfect. Diamond C is a good example. Watch this video, and look at the welds. See if you think this Riverstone has better or worse looking welds. th-cam.com/video/JX3GC0WjP_Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=vOFqdrZctwznDlh0
The Riverstone guy He would be great in front of Congress or the Senate to answer questions. They might put out a slightly better product, but why not take it a step further, would it kill them to get an arc welder and actually touch up If the weld didn’t look right, why not add a couple extra welds just so they can sit back and say they are 100% confident in their frames. If they would take an hour or even a half hour just for one man to run around that frame and add a few welds, they can set a new industry standard. The promotional commercial advertisement alone this would be a milestone for the consumer!
So the question is, what happens when you compromise a powder coated finish by grinding and welding into it? You can't just touch it up with spray paint. Answer that and you'll have you answer
@@BigTruckBigRV rustoleum, or flex spray. Even a can of spray on bedliner. All would be suffice, show some common sense, they’ll be other people reading the comment,
Well, what if they are 100% confident in their frame?
@@BigTruckBigRV quit sucking up you’re embarrassing yourself, your not gonna get one for free😢 most of these will be sitting in repair bays or lots after their purchased with the warranty clock clicking down. If you’re gonna review, do a thorough review check the Better Business Bureau and look up all the complaints,
@@mattheww8059I'm not embarrassed...I'm informed.
Before being too critical on what welds you see in a TH-cam video, look at how other manufacturers are doing it. All brands have sometimes ugly welds, even the brands people think are perfect. Diamond C is a good example. Watch this video, and look at the welds. See if you think this Riverstone has better or worse looking welds. th-cam.com/video/JX3GC0WjP_Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=vOFqdrZctwznDlh0
You should do a DRV tour and frame review. The DRV frames are insanely over built
look harder i spotted a couple welds that looked cold sorry but i cant buy antying with a lippert frame they dont care get it get it out get paid on to the next one
Compared to who? These? th-cam.com/video/JX3GC0WjP_Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=4U3_HikeK3gTQEF8
@@BigTruckBigRV artic fox
I didn't see any pre-drilled holes in the frame for lag screws to attach the superstructure. Hope that this is discussed in future videos.
Next video :)
@@BigTruckBigRV hope it doesn't lag behind 🤣
the only thing I can agree with anything was said is that disc brakes is the best thing you could put on a trailer. it the industry was interested in ride quality and eliminating flex and cracks, independent suspensions would be on all trailers.
That's the only thing? Ok
Looks like a better design but the welds look like the welder welded the joints with his feet! You can see cold welds, not even on both peace’s of steel. You can have the best material but if it’s held together by hope and dreams, you’re not in a good place.
I'm not sure what weld you're referring to..please time stamp and describe. Without property inspection tools, I'm not sure how you can identify a deficiency in the weld on a 1080p video. But maybe you're just that good
Why did they only zoom in on that one weld for about two seconds. Go to a new car dealership and take a look at the welding on a new truck. It's like day and night.
Bigtruck. 7:52 and look at 7:58 zoom in the one weld is only touching the bottom steel the cross bar. Just under where his fingers pointing., it’s not even connecting the two peace’s. Lipper’s frames all look like some drunk welding with his feet welded them. They can’t have any QC, I’m a welding inspector in Canada and I’d never let that go.
I’m going to assume they would mig weld these but I’ve seen nicer sticker welds and they may as well use JB weld. This is clearly the difference in a 10hr welder vs a $40hr welder.
Ok, so please give me an example of a utility/gooseneck trailer manufacturer who is doing right to your standards? Diamond C? Big Tex? PJ?
@@BigTruckBigRV my comment was about the welds, you even say in the video your not an expert and is shows, just because there’s a gob of weld on the frame doesn’t mean it’s has any penetration that holds the two peace’s together. The inconsistent beads make it a weak weld .I’m telling you the welds look terrible for a company that should be using a certified welder. These things are 10s of thousands of pounds traveling at high speeds safety 3rd!Talk to any real welder and they will tell you the welds look like junk! I wouldn’t buy a unit that has a frame that looks like that. Why don’t ppl take a little pride in their work anymore. I’ve seen nicer welds in high school show class.
For you to ask me to go look at other manufacturers frames is a ridiculous ask! I’m telling you what I see and as a certified welding inspector. I can weld and the wouldn’t leave my shop. Send me your email and I’ll send you pics of what welds should look like.
Remember the Rv industry says you’re not to tow these trailers more than a few times a year! That’s what people are saying on the internet
How long have these practices been in effect? I'm in the market for used...
Since they started
You glossed over the welds pretty quick but from what I saw they were all pretty lousy welds, not saying that they’ll have problems but those welds look like trash
Good Lord, 3500 pound tongue weight, holy cow!
When is your ford F450 coming in
Good question
Is it necessary or smart to such large RVs to go camping?
I go camping about 8 times a year and notice that the people in these large RVs are different. They want a camper to be as luxurious as a mansion.
Do they do this for other Forest River brands like XLR Nitro?
No
Disk brake bad idea on trailers that are parked for long periods
Tell that to the entire community of people who absolutely demand the disc brakes should be standard on all RVs.
Forest River? Never. Have a friend with a brand new top tier one. $200k. Took 6 months to fix all the roof leaks! Ruined all the furniture. Crazy.
You realize that Forest River has over a dozen divisions that all run independently right?
thats still a tiny frame, than a gooseneck equiment trailer, designed for same weight, and its using stitch welds, not full width welds.
Tiny? Lol. And Almost ALL gooseneck trailers use stitch welds also.
th-cam.com/video/JX3GC0WjP_Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=4U3_HikeK3gTQEF8
If it is built by Lippert, considered it CRAP. Their welds are not penetrating. Steel beam metalergy inconsistant. Using lousing suspension design also a problem.
You know best 😉