CharlesinGA
Well-known member
Well, we got to Biloxi and after setting up the trailers in the Casino RV Park, we rode around. This morning I got up and fixed myself something to eat, and then walked to my buddy's trailer next to me. He started handing me bacon, as they have fixed too much in the air fryer. I noticed the RH wheels on his trailer seemed closer together than they should be (its a Forest River Surveyor, on a Lippert frame) I looked between the tires, the equalizer is not level, its way canted. I thought it had flipped the shackles on one axle somehow, but it had not. A quick glance found that the rear most leaf spring hanger had torn itself loose from the frame, or rather, tore out part of the frame's lower cap.
This is an I beam style frame made from a flat vertical piece of metal, (the web) with horizontal top and bottom strips (the caps) welded to it, to make an I beam of sorts, but very thin. There was rust, this was not new, but had most likely just finally tore loose on this trip and the bracket was flipped over on its side and the axle had walked forward.
We spent all day trying to find a mobile welder that could help us. Went to one shop nearby, nice place, lots of steel stock, but he said he had too many jobs going and someone had called in sick. Another guy said 3 pm, then started putting us off and finally said he could not make it. While we were eating a over priced burger and fries at the casino, I called a guy who said send me pics, which I did, plus the street address and the name. He said "two hours" After about two hours, I sent a "hope to hear from you" text. He said he was cleaning up, would text as he headed out. After a bit he texted, 20 minutes. A little while later, he showed up.
We had jacked up the trailer by the frame, put the stabilizers down for safety, pulled the wheel and had other jacks under the axle. For some odd reason, as I was loading my truck, I decided to load a two stage Benz Sprinter jack that I had which goes really tall. I also had a small bottle jack and Steve did too. We also dismounted a gas line that ran right by there.
Did you know? Forest river used corrugated plastic (like cardboard box material, but plastic) for a covering on the bottom, and they install it using a Remington .22 caliber nail gun into the metal!!!!!
I also had brought my Makita battery powered work light, plus the welder had work lights and every imageable thing on his truck. It was dark when he finished taking an hour an a half or so, but he did a decent repair and gusset. Said he sees this alot.
Makes me glad I have a 2x5 tube steel, 3/16 thick, frame and its made by BAL.
Pics in a moment.
Charles
This is an I beam style frame made from a flat vertical piece of metal, (the web) with horizontal top and bottom strips (the caps) welded to it, to make an I beam of sorts, but very thin. There was rust, this was not new, but had most likely just finally tore loose on this trip and the bracket was flipped over on its side and the axle had walked forward.
We spent all day trying to find a mobile welder that could help us. Went to one shop nearby, nice place, lots of steel stock, but he said he had too many jobs going and someone had called in sick. Another guy said 3 pm, then started putting us off and finally said he could not make it. While we were eating a over priced burger and fries at the casino, I called a guy who said send me pics, which I did, plus the street address and the name. He said "two hours" After about two hours, I sent a "hope to hear from you" text. He said he was cleaning up, would text as he headed out. After a bit he texted, 20 minutes. A little while later, he showed up.
We had jacked up the trailer by the frame, put the stabilizers down for safety, pulled the wheel and had other jacks under the axle. For some odd reason, as I was loading my truck, I decided to load a two stage Benz Sprinter jack that I had which goes really tall. I also had a small bottle jack and Steve did too. We also dismounted a gas line that ran right by there.
Did you know? Forest river used corrugated plastic (like cardboard box material, but plastic) for a covering on the bottom, and they install it using a Remington .22 caliber nail gun into the metal!!!!!
I also had brought my Makita battery powered work light, plus the welder had work lights and every imageable thing on his truck. It was dark when he finished taking an hour an a half or so, but he did a decent repair and gusset. Said he sees this alot.
Makes me glad I have a 2x5 tube steel, 3/16 thick, frame and its made by BAL.
Pics in a moment.
Charles
