2004 National RV Rage'n Body and structure Problems

“I own a 2004 Rage'N lx 3435-5j 5th wheel toy hauler manufactured by National Rv. The frame of this trailer is manufactured by lippert sometime in 2003. Around october of last year I noticed that the fiberglass exterior around the hitch pin was distorting when I would lower the trailer onto my trucks hitch. I also began to notice that the interior floor cabinets over the hitch pin were beginning to pull away from the side walls. …”

“After exiting a 20 MPH left turn at approximately 15 MPH the right side tires both blew. After pulling to the should of this narrow road I inspected the tires and found the center bracket for the trunnion had collapsed inward. This caused both tires to rub on the frame and fail. I put the spare on to move trailer out of the roadway it to blew, but was able to last log enough to park trailer at a safer location. As a professional driver I had inspected the trailer prior to our trip and found no signs of fatigue or damage. …”

“Under normal driving conditions, the pin box and surrounding frame supports develop serious cracks/fractures. This failure causes alot of flexing in the frame and has done damage to the interior of the rv. Had to repair cracks and reinforce frame. Have not repaired interior damage yet.”

“This rv/toy hauler is towed on the highway behind a properly equipped ford f250 crewcab short bed truck. This rv/toy hauler has never been overloaded or abused in any manner and has always been properly maintained. The failure I'm reporting involves the trailer frame area that supports the fifth wheel hitch. While towing the trailer back from a weekend trip the trailer frame area that supports and secures the hitch failed at highway speed by cracking and collapsing which resulted in significant risk to the passengers of the tow vehicle and damage to frame and the interior of the trailer. …”