Testing fifth wheel suspension advances on the track with Lippert

[@TNTRVing]

Great video guys! Feeling very fortunate to have experienced this first hand. Amazing how noticeably different these suspspensions feel.

[@StressLessCamping]

We feel the same way. What a trip!

[@azcharlie2009]

The question is, what the hell do the rest of us do that aren't in the market for a new RV?

[@StressLessCamping]

Great question.

[@azcharlie2009]

I'm really disappointed that the CRE3000 performed so poorly... We just bought a new 5th wheel with this suspension. On the trip home from where we bought it, the bottom of the cabinets above the sink came loose!! And, one of the shelves in the refrigerator cracked!!! With the current state of our disgraceful Interstate system, RV manufacturers have to address this problem. If you're just driving 20 miles or so to your campground, it's fine. However, if you want to go cross country, like we do, you're going to have problems.

[@StressLessCamping]

I think that's why Lippert brought out these new suspension systems. There's also a pin box they announced with a coil spring in it, too. You're not kidding about the roads - they're pretty rough in many places. Over the years we had been told how good things like the CRE3000 were and the like but, riding inside the fifth wheel with that upgrade, it was as if it wasn't there at all. There are other suspension upgrades as well that might be worth looking into if you travel frequently but it's disappointing that you have to spend a bunch of money on such a basic system with a relatively new RV. I feel your pain, Charlie.

[@guybrick4490]

Why is Lippert messing around like this? They need to address their frame failures!!

[@StressLessCamping]

This is one of the best safety advances in trailers - this is life saving. That's why they're doing it. Lippert is in the steel business too - they build RV frames. Lots of them. Those frames are built to the specification of the RV builder. Then they're delivered to the RV customer. Lippert will build the frames the RV companies specify and, since they're in the business of selling steel, they'd be happy to supply more of it. What's not stated is how completely or properly loaded the RVs are that experience a failure. EVERYbody who owns an RV should scale that RV (www.stresslesscamping.com/podcast/0125). But some RV companies are just known for doing the absolute minimum in every way and it seems that list and the list of those with issues isn't much different. Yes, of course some frames can fail due to manufacturing errors but I would like a more complete answer before I blame any one company. And I also applaud safety innovation like this.

[@waltfriedrich7631]

Its not Lippert....its the poor design that the coach manufacturer did. Lippert builds what they are asked to build to prints provided

[@guybrick4490]

Well, you are kind of right, but you are wrong The manufacturer Sends to Lippert what they would like Lippert has been in the frame business long enough to know that this design will not hold up. Let me put this in Laymans terms for you. Suppose I call Winchester or Remington and tell them I would like to purchase a couple thousand rifles but I want them made with aluminum barrels. Do you think they are going to build them for me and put their names on them?

[@waltfriedrich7631]

@@guybrick4490 no I'm correct. Lippert will design a frame but almost 100 percent of the coach manufacturers engineer their own frames. I was a manufacturer rep and know first hand what goes on in the build process.

[@waltfriedrich7631]

@@guybrick4490 oh and your gun analogy is just dumb. Lippert has no idea what will actually be constructed on the frame they are contracted to build