Community Forums

dan3 · 07-09-2020, 02:54 PM

Hi Fellow Groupers-

I have a CruiserLift for my 550 lb (BMW GS) bike on my Newmar 35' DP. I had the lift installed the day after I took delivery. Shortly after I noticed that the bedroom full slide in the corner was not landing flush. I finally made it back to Newmar and after making some minor adjustments, they said they believe (but don't know) that my lift bent the chassis frame of my motorhome preventing the slide from landing properly, so they are refusing to fix it. I am underweight nearly 2k lb on the rear axle. They said I should go to the Freightliner corporate facility to get my chassis inspected, which I have not done yet, but I spoke with FL and they said they don't think the frame could have been bent by this and despite having seeing plenty of motorhomes with lifts, they have never seen a bent frame from one. They also said they may not be able to fully inspect the chassis as some of the basement will be blocking it. My calcs from CruiserLift on weight/overhang are well within spec.

Folks have been putting these lifts on 2 axle DPs and even gas rigs for at least the last 20 years or so and I have never heard of a problem.

Has anyone ever seen or heard of such a problem? Thanks in advance for any insights!

Dan

CountryB · 07-09-2020, 03:07 PM

Is the Coach still under warranty?
If it is, the statement "they believe (but don't know)" the frame is bent is not going to cut it. They need to prove to you the frame is bent before denying warranty service.

But if the Coach is out of warranty and you just wanted to get a repair and were willing to pay for it, then the Dealer is within their rights to not work on it. And if that is the case I would contact the Newmar "corporate office" and let them know you will not be buying from them in the future.

Who installed the bike lift? How does it mount to the frame?

dan3 · 07-09-2020, 03:16 PM

Thanks for the reply, Mike. The coach is out of the main warranty (I was on the other side of the country during the warranty period), but there is a 5 year structural warranty and I do have an extended warranty. However, that does not require Newmar to work on it. Like all lifts it has a 3 point receiver that was welded on according to CruiserLift specs, with braces that go back about 1.5-2ft under the coach. As for writing to Newmar that may or may not help as I already met with their Director of Service Operation on this. They are taking the position that I modified the coach, so that must have caused the problem. I will be following up with Newmar with the additional info I got from Freightliner but am collecting any additional info and ideas to include in that correspondence.

Thanks again!

Dan

96 Wideglide · 07-09-2020, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan3

Like all lifts it has a 3 point receiver that was welded on according to CruiserLift specs, with braces that go back about 1.5-2ft under the coach.

Dan

Not "all" lifts!

My Hydra-lift doesn't use a receiver at all. Brackets are welded directly to the frame for about 3'.

dan3 · 07-09-2020, 05:07 PM

Ah, yes; my bad. I knew that but erred at post time

Dan

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

Not "all" lifts!

My Hydra-lift doesn't use a receiver at all. Brackets are welded directly to the frame for about 3'.

NeilV · 08-01-2020, 06:10 AM

Depends on who installed it and which frames they welded the mounts too. If they used the house frames then its on the company that installed the lift.

If the welder didn't do it right and weakened the rear Freight Liner chassis of the coach by drawing his beads too close to the edges then again its on the lift installer.

Welding can be done to a truck chassis however there are rules that have to be closely followed so you do not weaken it and cause this type of problem.

And yes many have have bent the rear frames of their motor homes over the years by poorly installing lifts, carriers, etc to them.

dan3 · 08-05-2020, 12:46 PM

Neil-

Thanks much for your reply, and sorry for the delayed response.

The lift was welded onto the chassis frame itself and per the lift manufacturer's weld specs. Initially it was done by a certified welder familiar with RVs and vehicles, but I then had it reinstalled a couple months later by the weld shop near the lift manufacturer, who probably has done the most installs of it in the country. (They also install HydraLifts.) The reason for the re-install was to gain some more clearance from the ground, not because of any problems with the weld/lift itself nor did the welder report any problems with the initial weld after inspecting it.

I am not an expert at this, but I still find it hard to believe that the 1000 pound burden bent a Freightliner chassis that was rated for 1000 pound weight (if not more) albeit that half of that weight was 3 feet behind the chassis. The welds do not seem to be anywhere the edge of the frame.

Thanks again for the feedback. Please let me know here or (via PM if your prefer) if you have any further thoughts or details you can provide.

Dan

Mr_D · 08-05-2020, 01:10 PM

Yep, modifications will void nearly every warranty, including service policies. Your frame needs to be inspected by a chassis expert, then go to the lift installer and then manufacturer for payment. Newmar and Freightliner have no involvement in this once the modification was done.

dan3 · 08-05-2020, 01:16 PM

Thanks, Mr D. Yes, a mod will void a warranty, but not if the mod did not cause the problem; but that is were the rubber meets the road. If the frame is not bent, then I would look elsewhere. Beyond FreightLiner do you have a chassis expert to recommend?

Thanks,

Dan