Heartland Big Horn 2006

Model Big Horn made in 2006 by Heartland got 10 consumer complains. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to structure, suspension.

Model 2006

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS
10/08/20108000
 I own a 2006 heartland bighorn 3055rl 5th wheel. when the unit is connected to my tow vehicle, popping noises can be heard and the pin box moves up indicating a frame defect. when disconnected, the pin box moves back down. this has not yet caused any damage property damage or injury, however i fear it might in the future.
SUSPENSION
03/07/201120000
 I own a 2006 heartland bighorn 5th wheel 3400rl with tandem axles. (two axles, 4 tires) vin: 1h9gf34296e459722 it has an estimated 20,000 miles on it. the unit just turned 5 years old. i am the second owner. bought used in 2008, pulled less than 10,000 miles. upon arriving home last trip, (400 miles round trip), i found my leaf spring shackle links, which hold the leaf spring and in turn hold the axle in place had ripped loose on both sides of my suspension. in essence, the only thing holding the axle in place was the rear leaf spring bolts. the front part of the leaf spring which was now loose just so happened to rest against the trailer frame preventing a catastrophic failure, (wreck!) i called the rv manufacturer, (heartland rv), and the suspension manufacturer, (al-ko kober), and discussed this with both. they put me off by stating they only give a 1 year warranty on the unit. i have driven automobiles with leaf springs for 200,000 miles across every kind of road with no rear leaf spring suspension incident. am i to expect axle, leaf spring fractures every 4-5 years? the leaf spring bushings are damaged or entirely gone. the bolts are worn bad as well. i would think it would have been designed to last much longer than 5 years and certainly more than the estimated 20,000 miles. common sense states that the axle should have been rated at least 7, 000 lb rating. you can see the danger of pulling this down the road and having an axle fall out. there is no reason for this to ever happen! i can send pictures! just because there were no injuries, doesn't mean this should not be addressed!!