NHTSA Complaint #11548361 — 2020 GRAND DESIGN REFLECTION

The rear drop brackets on both sides of the back axle of my 5th wheel RV failed and broke off. The drop brackets attach the leaf springs to the RV frame. While pulling the RV, I noticed a sudden change in how the RV was pulling and it seemed to be unstable. I pulled over and while looking for a cause, I found the broken brackets. I was near a Camping World RV repair store, so I towed it there where the brackets and frame where repaired. Had this occurred at highway speeds, the axle could have become so unstable that it broke the remaining brackets which would lead to a complete loss of the axle on the highway and whatever disaster would occur after that. This definitely would have put other drivers and their families lives at stake. I researched this on the Grand Design owner forum board and found that this same problem has occurred to other RV owners. Looking at the broken bracket prior to repair, it appeared to be an inferior cast metal that didn't seem appropriate for such an important part under stress. I contacted Lippert, manufacturer of the frame, to notify them of the incident.