Community Forums

Earl II · 03-06-2020, 10:02 PM

Just thought I would share a bit of a PITA when it comes to our highways. This is probably nothing really new and I don't want to talk politics so please bare with me. A few weeks ago we were on our way back north from the Salton Sea area on Highway 86 just north of Highway 111. We hit a "bump" on Highway 86 north and heard "thumping" coming from the passenger seat floor area and every now and then the right front pillar.

No difference in driving, just the popping sound from the floor area, especially when making slow driveway turns to the right.

Found out that the frame structure welding broke on the right side in front of the passenger seating area. The area was rewelded by Redlands Truck and RV and all is quiet now.

I plan on filing a claim with the California Caltrans for the $330 it cost me for the reweld. These poor highways do cost us money. FYI, this was not a pothole.... I saw nothing obvious that I could have avoided.

Unplanned Tourist · 03-06-2020, 10:23 PM

It sounds more like a manufacturer problem than road damage to me.

I'm sure lots of others have traveled the same route with no problem.

JMHO

Happy Glamping.

Earl II · 03-06-2020, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unplanned

It sounds more like a manufacturer problem than road damage to me.

I'm sure lots of others have traveled the same route with no problem.

JMHO

Happy Glamping.

Maybe. California Caltrans has a standard claim form for potholes, etc....

Earl II · 03-06-2020, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl II

Maybe. California Caltrans has a standard claim form for potholes, etc....

By the way, I have also traveled the same road and didn't have this happen before. Our roads are getting worse and these are not cars, they are RVs....

Rev. Roy · 03-07-2020, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unplanned

It sounds more like a manufacturer problem than road damage to me.

I'm sure lots of others have traveled the same route with no problem.

JMHO

Happy Glamping.

I thought the same thing. Heard a certified welding instructor say that a proper weld will not break because it's stronger than the metal it's attached to.

Earl II · 03-07-2020, 10:43 AM

Sure would be nice if all these rigs were built by perfect people with perfect skills and perfect materials.

Dutch Star Don · 03-07-2020, 11:35 AM

I understand your aggravation. I often think it would be nice to put the California Governor in a van, and have a dentist do oral surgery while they traverse I-5. There might be a whole different attitude about road repair, especially since we pay a fortune in road taxes.

Earl II · 03-07-2020, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

I understand your aggravation. I often think it would be nice to put the California Governor in a van, and have a dentist do oral surgery while they traverse I-5. There might be a whole different attitude about road repair, especially since we pay a fortune in road taxes.

Indeed. Never forget the one area north of Magic Mountain on the Eye Five. Hit so hard that it shut down the refrigerator thinking we were in an accident. This hit on Highway 86 was nothing in comparison but still bad. Still, I like your idea.

Earl II · 03-23-2020, 02:10 PM

Just to follow up on the broken welds in the front brace area. It cost me $330 to identify and repair the broken weld. I sent a "FYI Only" email to Steve Moser at Newmar Customer Service in the event someone else was having a similar problem. Steve asked me for a copy of the service invoice. I received a check in the mail from Newmar today covering the cost of repair. I am pretty pleased with this little bump in the road.