Went to hookup the FW lastweek, noticed some screws had popped out under the belly near the Pin Box area. That kinda crap worries me so I pulled the body/skin off and took a look. Saw a broken weld
Canceled the RV trip, pulled the whole belly pan off.
9 of the 16 welds on the Gusset/Brackets (left & right sides) that support the side wall had failed.
Everything was Ok when the rig was on the landing jacks... but as soon as the load was transfered to the FW hitch the frame & bedroom floor moved up about 2 inches.
NOW.. "The Rest Of The
Story". Called Keystone/Montana.
Told them the story and knowing my FW was out of Warranty but when you pay $50,000 for an RV, you would exspect it to last more than 5 years before structure failure. (GIT READY) She asked if I had installed a Bike Rack on the back, I said Yes. She said.. There's yer problem and cause for the Weld Failure sir.. when you install a Bike Rack, on the back, the vibration and weight will cause frame welds to failroflmao 
) . I said.. the welds are 30 feet away from the Rack.. she said: I sorry sir but thats the problem and >We< can't help you... You can take it to your nearest Keystone Dealer, they (and Only They) can take pictures and we MAY assist in repairs but thats all. I told her that the closest dealer was 50 miles away and I don't feel comfortable pulling a trailer with a broken frame, that far. I have a local Rv dealer, can I take it there ??? She said: NO Butl maybe you "BABY IT" ?????????... For 50 miles???????
I told her >>>> I did'nt just git off the "Short Bus"<<<<< and hung up.
Theres more to the story and a good outcome..but I just wanted to
Joe
Canceled the RV trip, pulled the whole belly pan off. 9 of the 16 welds on the Gusset/Brackets (left & right sides) that support the side wall had failed.
Everything was Ok when the rig was on the landing jacks... but as soon as the load was transfered to the FW hitch the frame & bedroom floor moved up about 2 inches.
NOW.. "The Rest Of The
Story". Called Keystone/Montana. Told them the story and knowing my FW was out of Warranty but when you pay $50,000 for an RV, you would exspect it to last more than 5 years before structure failure. (GIT READY) She asked if I had installed a Bike Rack on the back, I said Yes. She said.. There's yer problem and cause for the Weld Failure sir.. when you install a Bike Rack, on the back, the vibration and weight will cause frame welds to fail
roflmao ) . I said.. the welds are 30 feet away from the Rack.. she said: I sorry sir but thats the problem and >We< can't help you... You can take it to your nearest Keystone Dealer, they (and Only They) can take pictures and we MAY assist in repairs but thats all. I told her that the closest dealer was 50 miles away and I don't feel comfortable pulling a trailer with a broken frame, that far. I have a local Rv dealer, can I take it there ??? She said: NO Butl maybe you "BABY IT" ?????????... For 50 miles???????I told her >>>> I did'nt just git off the "Short Bus"<<<<< and hung up.
Theres more to the story and a good outcome..but I just wanted to
Joe
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