Owners of all nonslide 2005-2007 models please read

[Tweety]

There has been a long discussion about the bending and breaking of the front header on several 2499s. You can see pictures here....

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2123

Since our 2753 has the same frame build, but seems to be fine, I would like to know if anyone with a DIFFERENT model (not 2499) is having problems. So, if ya'll could check your frames and let us know either way that'd be great. I'm hoping for lots of replys that say "no problem with my ####"

 

[tnblder48]

Front header Bending

After reading all the posts concerning frame problems on the 2499, I went out and inspected my 2006 T1950. After carefull examination,both visually and with a straight edge and tape measure, it appears there is no problem with my particular unit.
I hope there is a speedy, and (inexspensive) solution for those with the problem. One thing is for sure, there are no better people to help in this situation, than those on this site.

Denny & Anne Kerr
tnblder48

 

[Tweety]

Thank you for taking the tme to post. As John B says at the end of the other discussion:


"Gee, this has been an active day. It is great to see everyone come together here. That Sunline spirit lives on even though we have a thunder cloud looming over a few of us.

And more good news is, more info is coming and this helps greatly. I can now see different forces acting in different directions from the breaks/bends and cracks and the evolution of the changes Sunline made. Each bend, crack and lack of tells a story. We need a few more stories yet to help put together the cause. And we need to know where it is not. Tweety’s frame does not have a lot of difference yet we have no reports, yet, of a problem on their model. Something is different. I saw Pam put a post up on frame issues in the Community section. This will help to define where else it is or is not. "

 

[ROC-REQS]

Hi Pam,

Thanks for taking the initiative to make this post.

I think it would be interesting and very helpful if members (both '05+ and earlier model years) with non-slide trailers also looked at their frame / A-frame construction and posted pictures (with our without the problem). Seeing if there is any difference with the material and construction of the pre-'05 models may provide some valuable information to helping understand the situation and identifying a proper fix to it.

Even though we have a ‘05 Slide model with the larger frame (10” I-Beam frame; 10” front cross member; and 6” C-Channel A-Frame), the construction is identical to the T-2499s that are having the bent frame problems. So it seems like at least for the '05 model year, the frame construction was similar for all models, slide and non-slides.

However, the tongue weights of the T-2499s can be similar and in some instances more than the tongue weight of our T-280SR. With the smaller frame of the T-2499s, my guess is that has a lot to do with the current T-2499 owners are seeing.

The '05s have been out for 3+ years now. It's surprising to me that this is the first we've heard of it. I'm wondering if anyone had this problem prior to Sunline closing and if they had Sunline (or their dealer) fix it under warranty.

As others have said, the more information we compile the better off we are.

So hopefully a lot of club members will pitch in with information and pictures of their trailer's A-Frame size and construction.

Hutch

 

[Sunline Fan]

I plan to go measure my windows tomorrow anyway, so I'll get some pics/measurements while I'm at it just to see how different it is from the non-slide coaches in design.

Jon

 

[Tweety]

We heard from a 2553 owner on the repairs and maintanence forum that their frame is fine. I also got a phone call from an additional 2553 owner that their frame is fine. So far we have reports that there are no problems with
1 - 1950
2 - 2553's
1 - 2753
All with the questionable frame/tongue.

 

[SanDimasJoe]

T2499 Frame Problem

Tweety,

I have a 2005 2553 model, built in Sept 2004. I don't see any evidence of header or battery support warping/bending. I measured 6" frame and 4" A frame. Header thickness is 1/8", top flange is 2" and bottom flange is 5/8". My tongue weight is between 900 and 950 lbs(battery, propane and 1/3 tank of fresh water.

Joe

 

[Mooney-SUN]

*phew* I got scared for a minute- you merged the threads while I was at a lengthy response..... luckily it stuck on the other thread.

I will check our '05 2380 (completed 12-21-04) Thursday for visual signs of bends, but I don't wave my measuring devices available....and then post findings here.

 

[SanDimasJoe]

2499 Frame Problem

I thought I would add pics of the header on my 2553.

 

[Tweety]

Joe,
I would be concerned, as your tongue weight is getting up there. Kitty's, whose frame is bent, weighed in at 975. Just keep an eye on it, since tongue weight is theorized to be the culprit.

 

[What6308]

I am I to guess correctly that the non-slide models and the slides have a totally different frame style to the structure? And therefore there is nothing to worry about on a slide model? :?:

 

[JohnGB]

I am I to guess correctly that the non-slide models and the slides have a totally different frame style to the structure? And therefore there is nothing to worry about on a slide model?

Hutch measured his 2005, T280SR and his camper is a 8,600# GVWR camper.

Tonight I measured my 2004, T310SR a 10,000# GVWR camper and the frame dimensions are the same and no issues have come on either and we both have 1,200# and up tongues.

It does not appear that the 8,600# and up TT's where affected from what we know in 2004/2005.

I did not say slide or not as I do not know what all the lighter weight model slides actually used. If IIRC I asked once from one of our T195SR owners and they had a 10" heavy frame under there and I assume the A frame is heavy to go with it.

It "appears" the 7,000# GVWR non slide frame that looks like what is in these posts is the one of concern that we are trying to see if folks have had any issues with.

As of right now, only the 2005 and forward T2499's seem to be affected. However KathyH and Eman have the latest Sunline design fixes and they seem sound.

A fix will be coming I'm sure. We have too great a TT to not fix it. Bink68 has already had one such fix. So far his is the only one we know of. Before the summer is over, I'm sure more will come. To much camping yet to do.

Hope this helps

John

PS Hutch, the header is 11 gage (0.120”)

 

[What6308]

John, thanks for that insight.

 

[Both2Retired]

T2753 - No faults, yet

I checked my 2007 T2753 and I could find not signs of bending or twisting, YET. I will be very interested in what others determine to be the causes and what can be done to prevent damage. Thanks to all of you for helping all of us.

When a "fix" is determined, I hope it will come to all of us as a new post.

 

[Al in PA]

I took a close look at our 2553. So far there is no sign of a problem. Ours is a 2007 model.

 

[Tweety]

I am losing track of replies, as they have come in on different discussions, and even over the phone! I'm going to keep track of them all here and just edit this post as needed.
Latest edit date 8/6

1950 - 2006 - OK

2075 - 2007 - 2 OK

2363 -2006 - 1 DAMAGED
2007 - 1 DAMAGED

2553 - 2006 - 2 OK, 1 questionable
2007 - OK

2753 - 2005 - OK
2006 - OK
2007 - OK

 

[luckyva]

Geez...

this is awful. i think the header on my 2363 is bowed. actually, i know it is.

thank goodness for this site. having read about the problem, in detail (!), i can at least be proactive in monitoring it.

what a mess!

thanks to everyone for their posts. i have some idea how to deal with it when the time comes.

if i knew how to post a picture here, i would and y'all could access.

also, i have an extended warranty with rt 66. course, they would probably deny there is a problem at this time.......

 

[Trailblazer-MGRV]

I have responded on the thread in the Repairs forum and then noticed this thread. We have a 2005 T2753 Sunline. We have towed it approximately 10,000 miles and so far we have no sign of any bending on our trailer frame.

 

[ParTimCmpr-FRF]

T2553 Frame status

I am not sure if I have the early stages of the problem or not. Here are some pictures and information on my coach.

My coach was built in August 2005.

Here are some pictures showing what my frame looks like.

Hitch

A Frame pictures

Frame Construction

 

[JohnGB]

David

Pull a string tight across the header or use a long straight edge. The pic may be an illusion or you have the beginning of a problem.

Thanks

John