2017 Jayco Fifth Wheel Pinnacle

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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