Stevem
Lippert frames are sold to several trailer manufacturers because they are cheap. Quality and design of the frames may vary depending on the RV manufacturer who buys them from Lippert as the buyer provides general guidance to Lippert for dimensions and design. Ultimately, it is the trailer manufacturer who must approve of the frame the company sells under a new trailer.
Generally speaking, Lippert uses small dimension steel frame members, fewer crossmembers, fewer braces and brackets, and often, very poor quality welds. Lippert also uses lower quality running gear of unknown but probably Chinese sources. I suspect they use a lot of illegal immigrant labor.
Lots of fifth wheel RV owners have reported frame problems. The first I remember reading was by a fellow TDR member three or four years ago. He may have owned a Cardinal. It was a Forest River product. He posted a long thread including excellent quality digital photos describing his problem. As he pulled his trailer slowly over the uneven terrain of a state park campground the welds that attached the spring perches to the frame failed on one of two axles. The attachment method was cheap and inferior and the welds were poor quality. The axle detached from the frame and swung around so that the tire and wheel were jammed up under the trailer. You can imagine his problem in moving the trailer and having it repaired when a problem like that occurred in a remote location.
He posted a link to a long discussion thread in an RV forum where lots of owners reported similar problems with their fifth wheel frames and running gear using Lippert frames. You can probably still find some information by doing a google search of Lippert frames.
I have read a few posts on another forum where owners have reported broken welds, failed axles (ends broke off and lost the wheel while underway), broken springs, broken shock mounts, under-rated springs, and more.
Keep in mind I am not certain that Heartland uses Lippert frames but I "think" they do. Before making a buying decision I would recommend further inquiry.
I am generally not a fan of any toy hauler trailer but my interests and needs are different than many younger families with children and outdoor toys.
Jayco is a decent manufacturer of entry level to mid-priced RVs. I believe their toyhauler products are worth investigating. Jayco uses Dexter running gear and Goodyear tires last time I looked. I don't know who builds Jayco's frames but I am pretty sure it is not Lippert. I don't work for Jayco, have no interest in the company, and have not owned a Jayco product but have pulled a lot of them and examined many of them. Grizzly's RV buying guide generally says good things about Jaycos.
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