2018 T@B 320S BAL Frame Crack

BLUF: After consults with our local, factory authorized NuCamp service department, PrincessCraft and NuCamp the cracks that developed in the last year on our T@B were repaired and our fingers are crossed.

Passenger Side:

Drive Side:

If you want to read more:

We were aware of the potential for cracks in the frame where the bolts are in the frame, but these cracks were different starting where the frame bends inwards to form the hitch in the front. These are C-channel frames and notches in the C-channel frame are "cut" to permit the bend in the BAL manufacturing. It is there that the frames began to crack.

These were noticed just before our "big" trip. The "white dots" in the photo was a splotch of white automotive paint to see if the crack moved, which it did within 500 miles after leaving home. We turned around and went directly to our NuCamp service department, PrincessCraft, Round Rock, TX.

I was aware of the Frame "repair kit" from NuCamp - but was informed by "Customer Experience" that they do not have those anymore and we unable to provide any specifications of those (although I did find a picture posted here in the forum - which I provided to the welder and PrincessCraft).  PrincessCraft also confirmed with NuCamp that those kits are no longer available, but some could still be in a bucket in the warehouse buried under who-knows-what.  As a result, with consultation with NuCamp, PrincessCraft, and the welder - gussets welded to the frame to offer additional support to the frame in a manner consistent with the frame repair kits and without the need for drilling holes. Furthermore, the actual cracks themselves were dye tested before and after the finally welding to ensure all cracks (seen and unseen) were no longer there.

It is my understanding, the only thing that needed to be done to make room for the welder was removal of the underbelly covering and the shower trap "door". 

Some terse facts:

• this T@B has just over 51K miles.
• all roads travelled were paved to the best ability of local, state, and fed government - not always a perfectly smooth ride - no off-roading ever
• typically, on open highway speeds are kept under 65mph.
• TV is a Tacoma, SR5
• garage kept
• the orange-color corrosion, and likely a visible crack, was not there one year ago when the bearing work was done by the service dept. So… check often!

Interestingly, we stopped a few "used" RV/Camping stores which had 320S on the lot and sure enough—cracks in the same area could be seen - although ours was the larger of any we've seen.