tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7205527982714514361.post5802354113888629832..comments2023-05-08T04:10:22.394-06:00Comments on goin' RV Boondocking: The Beginning... The Failure of the Fifth Wheel Pin BoxBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393694530214889235noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7205527982714514361.post-85890018825945169402015-09-23T20:57:21.322-06:002015-09-23T20:57:21.322-06:00Had a similar issue on a 2003 Keystone Laredo. An...Had a similar issue on a 2003 Keystone Laredo. Any information on any recalls for this 5th wheel? Also, reading that 2008 and newer may not have these problems, did manufacturers change the grade of steel to compensate after that time? Don't want to repeat history on another Keystone.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05873186916019587193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7205527982714514361.post-85299611548711312792015-09-23T20:54:21.521-06:002015-09-23T20:54:21.521-06:00So, lucky to get home as I had a complete failure ...So, lucky to get home as I had a complete failure of the pin box area on a Keystone Laredo. It is a 2003 model, bought used by myself, had it for about 5 years. Taken some longer trips the most punishing of which as on I-80 through Nebraska. Doing some research to see what not to buy in the future. I have seen a couple of posts that indicate a year to buy after (2008). Is there something I need to know about the year? Did manufacturers change materials? My trailer looks very similar to the pictures on this post- light duty steel. Having mine fixed but makes me worry about buying another from Keystone.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05873186916019587193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7205527982714514361.post-33927156508113362322011-10-04T07:33:45.390-06:002011-10-04T07:33:45.390-06:00Brian, Last post was from me; didn't mean for ...Brian, Last post was from me; didn't mean for it to be "Anonymous". TedTednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7205527982714514361.post-75221057328865675752011-10-04T07:30:31.909-06:002011-10-04T07:30:31.909-06:00Your comparison of gooesneck vs. fiver hitch confi...Your comparison of gooesneck vs. fiver hitch configuration is interesting. As an engineer, I would say you are basically correct about the vertical loading between the two types of hitches being equivalent, but you are not considering the rotation load on the Eagle's structure. The rotational or torque load from the gooesneck is much higher than from the fiver. Couple this with, as you put it, "leaving the rig with just about a rigid suspension", and the twisting load on the front of your rig is very high. I suspect much higher than the design load. So while you have rationalized it as Jayco's poor long pin box design and their attempt to reduce cost, maybe it is your no suspension-gooesneck modification that actually caused the failure. Before spending the money on an air pin, maybe consult with a structural engineer to determine if the frame failure was from rotational or vertical fatigue. Knowing the answer to this question will also help you design a repair that will hold up. Now you're a reasonable guy, open to suggestions, so rather than spend so much time pointing a finger, why not get to the root cause of problem. Maybe, this is just an academic discussion, but I know and you know that there are always two sides to a story. Good luck with the repair and get back on the open road a.s.a.p.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7205527982714514361.post-74965466050654681722011-10-02T19:42:20.767-06:002011-10-02T19:42:20.767-06:00Because of failures such as yours, we had our pin ...Because of failures such as yours, we had our pin box inspected and have been satisfied that our set up should be able to handle any stress we may encounter over the next few years, barring accidents, of course.<br />This seems to be a common failure of frames in models especially made before 2008.<br /><br />If you have fiver, a regular check made by and experienced welder once a year is worth its weight in gold, it's not as difficult to get under the shroud as it looks.<br /><br />I'm sorry for your loss Brian, that setup looks pretty lame to me, it's criminal to expect those rigs to hold up going down the road. We used to have a Fiver with a gooseneck adapter and you are right, it should make no difference.<br /><br />You are not alone, do a search under frame and pin box premature failure and you'll see it's everywhere and crosses several manufacturers.MyTinyTropicalGardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10427068299785906672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7205527982714514361.post-52483283507558492842011-10-02T17:56:04.948-06:002011-10-02T17:56:04.948-06:00Cindy; Yeah, I expect if people pulled the skin of...Cindy; Yeah, I expect if people pulled the skin off, so they could inspect the frame, a sizable number would find cracks. I suppose I could complain, I expect all that would happen is I'd get all cranked up... I just don't have the stomach for all that noise any more... Most I'll do is tell folks to find a repair place OTHER, than in West Yellowstone. ;)<br /><br />Don; Real dang lucky :) but, we'll get it done RIGHT here... Lesson Learned... Man, I hate to have to be a JERK to get things done correctly... and as for the air ride... I do want to change up rigs... and I'd do it right now today, had I the dinero :) with a good bit of luck this winter, that might change by spring (Here's hoping!) so... I figure I'll be selling/trading this rig... and to tell the truth, I'm pretty much wanting the knowledge that the thing is strong for the remaining time I haul it... and then be able to sleep at night, knowing I didn't pawn off a piece of dangerous "Stuff" on someone, sold or traded.<br /><br />I figure we've got something over 60,000 miles of hauling on this rig... maybe close to 70... if I'd been smart enough to put an air ride on years ago, I expect this failure wouldn't have happened... so... another one of those "Best Guesses" of what to do... If we end up having to keep hauling this rig for a few more years due to economics, I'll be glad I have that hitch...<br /><br />Jeff and Lori; Ours is a different model, and only a year older... But, Kinda looks like a lil' bit of a pattern don't it? <br /><br />It sounds like they DID exactly what we'll be doin'... Really changes my opinion of Jayco quite a bit... and it had already been taken down several notches after ten years of fixing their Fine Craftsmanship. :)<br /><br />I'd guess we've hauled more miles than most fivers get hauled, and they built, calculating that MOST don't get hauled, just sit beside the garage... and are willing to take the heat on the few that do rack up the miles... Fine way of doing business ;)Briannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7205527982714514361.post-50201088531014210742011-10-02T13:27:00.639-06:002011-10-02T13:27:00.639-06:00Hi Brian,
I don't know anything about 5th whee...Hi Brian,<br />I don't know anything about 5th wheel trailers or Jayco models but does this recall have anything to do with your problem?<br />http://car-and-safety.com/jayco-quest-fw-safety/jayco-quest-fw-2002.htmJeff and Lorihttp://cwoodcrafts.com/about_us.htmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7205527982714514361.post-54779532264681364922011-10-02T13:19:44.034-06:002011-10-02T13:19:44.034-06:00Sounds like you were pretty darned lucky to make i...Sounds like you were pretty darned lucky to make it to where you can get a good repair. <br /><br />You were mumbling a while back about going to another kind of rig. Sure you want to go for an air-ride attachment for something you are going to get rid of? Just asking. The one you've got now has worked for how-many-thousands of milse?Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10091933429533102339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7205527982714514361.post-46508335632449518582011-10-02T11:42:56.550-06:002011-10-02T11:42:56.550-06:00Those are some scarey looking pictures of those br...Those are some scarey looking pictures of those broken welds! We used to have a 5th wheel but rarely used it so recently sold it. I always worried about that king pin also. The 'home' ours went to its going to be stationary as guest quarters on neighbor's property. Sorry you had to find out the hard way how little and cheap the manufacturers build these types of RV's, Brian. Makes ya wonder how many others out there have failed like yours. And since you like to go over more primitive roads sometimes, you are doing the extra care your rig needs. I'm looking forward to the 'not good' repair you got in W Yellowstone. You figure to complain to that place?Cindy Kingmanoreply@blogger.com