Frame failure occurred bilaterally where the tongue of the travel trailer was attached to the undercarriage. Cracks were vertical and almost completely through the structural supports. This caused the I beam to buckle. Fortunately, the breaks were discovered just prior to fully separating. We had a trailer repair place examine and provide an estimate for repairs, which was $20,000. Our insurance company sent out an inspector who said that there was rust and the damage had been existing for awhile. Our claim was denied. There were no warning systems in place. Everything else on the trailer was working fine. As we were towing it, my husband thought the front of the trailer looked lower than usual. A review of the web indicates that trailer frames made by Lippert during this period were subpar.
- NHTSA ID
- 11678195
- Incident
- Jun 3, 2025