2017 Jayco Fifth Wheel Pinnacle Owner Complaints

Jayco 5th wheel trailers Lippert (LCI Industries) RV Frames have a significant engineering flaw resulting in excessive flex in the front section incorporating the hitch/pinbox, which results in cracked frames, stress cracking in sidewalls and seam separation at joints causing further damage from water intrusion. It is also noted in their own report, that the bolts supporting the fiberglass sidewalls are not large enough to support those sidewalls. This flex and frame cracking cause potential safety hazards due to decreased structural integrity of the frame and structure, leading to a potential hazard on the highway. This has been an issue on 5th wheel trailers for some 20 years, as evidenced by NHTSA ID Number 10208077, in which Manufacturer communication Number 22-043 was released. This notice releases repair instructions on how to remedy the problem on all trailers manufactured before 2021. This notice applies to Jayco Trailers but is common to all Lippert 5th wheel frames across various manufacturers. If you report the stress crack in sidewall before the end of warranty, Jayco pays to have the unit returned to the factory to have major repairs accomplished and pay to return the unit to the customer. If you are out of warranty, as is my case when I reported it, by 1 yr 5 months, they refuse responsibility for any design flaws, and you are responsible for the enormous cost of the repair. I have the well-known stress crack in the sidewall, which continues to grow, exterior, as well as interior trim that will not stay in place after traveling which require constant resealing to prevent water intrusion, floor-to-frame bolts that pull through the frame and protrude through linoleum, front cap fiberglass spider webbing (repaired once under warranty, but has returned), and plastic edging on roof to protect EPDM material wrap to sidewall is pulling the staples from the underlayment as the structure flexes, which will eventually will lead to a compromised roof system

NHTSA ID

11468735

Incident

Sep 5, 2020

The contact owns a 2017 Jayco Pinnacle trailer. The contact stated that the leaf spring failed. The contact stated that the leaf springs were previously replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V091000 (Suspension) however, the repair did not correct the failure. The contact noticed that the rear driver’s side tires were touching each other. The contact inspected the tires and found that the leaf spring was fractured. The contact stated that a mechanic also inspected the driver’s side rear tires and verified that the leaf spring was fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The leaf spring was not replaced. A failure mileage was not provided.

NHTSA ID

11432796

Incident

Sep 10, 2021

JAYCO HAS A DESIGN ENGINEERING FLAW THAT CAUSES EXCESSIVE FLEX IN THE HITCH BOX/FRONT SLIDE OUT AREA THAT CAUSES DAMAGE AND CRACKING TO THE SIDES OF THE TRAILER. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE HITCH PORTION AND A STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY ISSUE FOR THE FRAME OF THE TRAILER.

NHTSA ID

11403448

Incident

Mar 6, 2021

THERE WAS A RECALL 1N OCTOBER 2019 RECALL NO. 19V-702. JAYCO WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE PROBLEMS BY REPLACING LEAF SPRING + A RUBBER BUMP STOP. THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE WEAK LEAF SPRINGS. AS A RESULT WE ENDED UP WITH A BROKEN SPRING ON ALONG TRIP THAT LED TO A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THIS COULD HAVE ENDED IN AN HORRIFIC TRAGEDY. WHY DID THE NOT FIX THIS? I AM HAVING IT TOWED TO A SHOP AND WILL FORWARD THE CAUSE DAMAGE FROM THE REPAIRS AND EXPLANATION + PICS WHEN THEY FINISH REPAIRING THIS.

NHTSA ID

11352481

Incident

Jun 12, 2020

Mileage

2,000 mi

PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES. NO BRAKES ON THREE WHEELS. NEED TO CHECK IN FALL 2017 AND THERE WAS FULL GREASE IN THE HUB. THAT'S WHY NO BRAKES. NEED TO CHANGE THE SPRINGS LEFT SIDE, SPRING WAS DEAD. BUT NOW THE FITHWEEL IS LOWER THEN RIGHT SIDE.

NHTSA ID

11287647

Incident

Apr 20, 2017

Mileage

3,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JAYCO PINNACLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, EXTRA FORCE WAS NEEDED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD NO SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAMPERS INN RV OF OCALA (7677 S, HWY 441, OCALA, FL 34480, (800) 786-2252) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING LEAKED GREASE ONTO THE BRAKE PADS. THE AXLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE TIRES TO TOUCH THE FRAME. THE SPRINGS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE AXLES WERE NOT REPLACED OR UPGRADED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11257986

Incident

Sep 8, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-350 TOWING A 2017 JAYCO PINNACLE FIFTH WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS ON THE FIFTH WHEEL WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE UNDERBELLY AND THE SPRINGS THAT HELD THE RV WERE FLATTENED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SPRING AND BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11254101

Incident

Feb 1, 2018

WHEELS RUBBING BOTTOM OF CAMPER, RV IS TO HEAVY TO STOP WITH FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKES. *DT *DT INVALID VIN *JB CONSUMER JAYCO HAS REPLACED OUR SPRINGS, WE ASKED FOR AN AXLE UPGRADE BUT THEY DECLINED. ITS TRULY AN EPIDEMIC WITH THESE HEAVY RV UNITS ROLLING OUT OF PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT.*JB

NHTSA ID

11232128

Incident

Aug 21, 2018

Mileage

2,000 mi

WELDS BROKE ON CONNECTION BETWEEN LEAF SPRINGS AND BODY FRAME CAUSING TRAILER TO NEARLY TOPPLE

NHTSA ID

11221931

Incident

Jun 22, 2019

Mileage

25,000 mi

MY SPRINGS AND AXLES ARE NOT UP TO THE TASK OF HOLDING MY CAMPER UP. THE TIRES ARE HITTING THE BOTTOM OF THE CAMPER, CAUSING THEM TO HAVE A BIG GROOVE CUT INTO THEM AND DAMAGING THE BOTTOM OF THE CAMPER. *DT *BF CARFAX CANNOT PROCESS THIS REQUEST. PHOTOS ATTACHED.*JB THIS DAMAGE WAS CAUSED DURING DELIVERY, UNLOADED, TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. HAD I KNOWN THAT, I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT! *DT CARFAX CANNOT PROCESS THIS REQUEST. VIN INVALID. *JB

NHTSA ID

11207981

Incident

Mar 30, 2017

Mileage

200 mi

TWO OF MY FOUR LEAF SPRINGS BROKE, MY OTHER TWO LEAF SPRINGS SHOW CRACKS FORMING AND SEVERE STRESS. WHEN MY LEAF SPRINGS BROKE, MY TRAILER BRAKES ALSO FAILED TO WORK. I DID NOT REALIZE MY LEAF SPRINGS HAD BROKE UNTIL I PULLED INTO MY CAMPSITE AND SAW MY REAR WHEELS IN A VERY WEIRD POSITION. I CRAWLED UNDER AND REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I HAVE THE LEAF SPRINGS IN MY POSSESSION AND HAVE PICTURES, BUT I CANNOT UPLOAD THEM FROM THIS COMPUTER. *DT*DT*JB BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR LEAF SPRINGS BROKE, OTHER TWO ARE STARTING TO CRACK. CONSUMER STATED TIRES RUBBED AGAINST THE FRAME AND SIDES OF 5TH WHEEL CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO ONE TIRE AND SLIGHT DAMAGE TO THE OTHER TWO. FIFTH WHEEL SPRINGS HAS BEEN REPAIRED. CONSUMER STILL HAS BROKEN AND DAMAGED LEAF SPRINGS. CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER.*JB *BF VIN NOT VALID.*JB

NHTSA ID

11205972

Incident

Mar 29, 2019

Mileage

10,000 mi

II AM THE OWNER OF A 2017 JAYCO PINNACLE 36 FBTS. IT HAS A RESIDENTIAL REFRIGERATOR INSTALLED BY JAYCO AT THE FACTORY. THERE HAS BEEN MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL WITH RESIDENTIAL REFRIGERATORS EXPERIENCING SUSPENSION LEAF SPRING AND AXLE FAILURES. SOME PEOPLE HAVE REGISTERED WITH YOU ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. SOME HAVE HAD THE WEIGHT OF THE RV MEASURED AND THE STOCK SPRINGS ARE NOT IN ACCORDANCE TO THE WEIGHT THEY ARE SUPPORTING AT 60 MPH HAVING THE LEAF SPRING SNAP OFF THE RV BODY AND THE TIRES RUBBING ON THE UNIT. MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD THRU THEIR DEALERS, JAYCO SUPPLYING ALL NEW PARTS AND UPDATED TO A HEAVIER SPRING RATE THAN THE ASSEMBLY VERSION. FROM 7000 LBS TO 8000 LBS. I CALLED JAYCO , THEY WANT ME TO DRIVE THE UNIT TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MY DEALER IS ALMOST 100 MILES ONE WAY....I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT DRIVING THIS RV NOW. I ASKED JAYCO TO HAVE SOME COME OVER AND LOOK AT THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY REFUSED UNLESS I PAY THE MOBILE FEE( THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT) THERE ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE COMPLAINTS ON JAYCO OWNERS SITE DAILY. IT IS NOT IF THIS WILL OCCUR BUT, WHEN!!! I AM STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND I FEEL JAYCO SHOULD INSPECT THE UNIT HERE WITH OUT THE CHANCES OF ME HURTING INNOCENT OTHERS ON THE HI WAY OR DAMAGE MY OWN PROPERTY. JAYCO IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND NO RECALL OR NOTICES HAVE BEEN RENDERED TO US OWNERS. MY UNIT HAS DIFFERENCES IN LEFT AND RIGHT MEASUREMENTS IN THE WHEELS AND TIRES. *DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11115594

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

Mileage

300 mi

REAR LEAF SUSPENSION FAILED WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING TRAILER TO SWAY AND NEARLY OVERTURN. UNIT DROPPED ONTO TIRE CAUSING IT TO FAIL. *DT*JB *BF *JB

NHTSA ID

11114695

Incident

Jul 27, 2018

Mileage

8,000 mi

BOTH AXLES, SPRINGS AND HARDWARE ON THE FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER ARE FAULTY. THE LEAF SPRINGS AND AXLES ARE NOT THE CORRECT WEIGH RATED FOR THIS MODEL. THE TOP OF THE TIRES RUB AGAINST THE CAMPER FLOOR WHILE IN MOTION. JAYCO HAS APPROVED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SPRINGS AND U-BOLTS. THE AXLES NEED TO BE UPGRADED FROM A 7000 LB AXLE TO A 8000 LB AXLE. THERE HAS BEEN MANY JAYCO 36 FBTS OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. SOME OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED MAJOR DAMAGE AND LOSS. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND A MANDATED RECALL AND REPAIR BE MADE BY JAYCO BEFORE AN INJURY OR DEATH TAKES PLACE. *DT CARFAX CANNOT PROCESS THIS REQUEST. *JB *DT *TR *BF *JB

NHTSA ID

11114672

Incident

Jul 10, 2018

Mileage

3,000 mi