Trailer Rust Repair

[Jon in AZ]

More than two bolts are supposed to hold it together, Bob, but after 40 years, they may not all be present and doing their job. I've yet to hear of a shell falling off the frame going down the road, but I have read reports of more than one discovered to be holding on by a thread.

Scamp uses many screws rather than a few bolts, so they aren't as likely to fail suddenly. You can check your Scamp if you want. Just crawl underneath and give some of the exposed screw tips a twist with a pair of pliers. If they turn freely or snap off, you've got issues.

[k0wtz]

john I lucked out previous owner said he put a new frame under it I believe him but when it warms up I may get under there and check for my own curiosity you never know. with the extended toungue it all looks like one new unit!

of course I am packing a tarp and tools so I may get under there for grins. biggest problem with my back surgery I get in a position like that I cannot get up!

thanks for the tip

bob

[stevebaz]

I'd be wacking the front end of the trailer tongue and starting over keeping the back of the trailer with the C-Channel. Watch for the vin number if it was on the tongue and keep it or by act of magic it appears on the new tongue. If there is a stamped plate keep it.

A good welder wont just patch the mess up front. He wont want his name on that thing if it were to fail.

Now is the time to think about an axle change. A frame change or just a repair. I would address all of these issues with your fabricator. or adjusting the height of the trailer.

Look for a shop that has been around along time. Experience goes along way if your paying time and materials.

[Brian G.]

Originally Posted by stevebaz

A good welder wont just patch the mess up front.

I might have gotten a bad welder because he just patched up instead of cutting the tongue off. He removed the old thin metal straps and welded in two heavy gussets on each side. He examined the ugly welds that are still in place, and he said they were strong. At least this should be safer during the time I'm considering the excellent suggestions you all have made. Thank you.

[thrifty bill]

Repair looks pretty good. Original hack job was awful. Enjoy the trailer!

[Nor Cal Mike]

You can make amends for a lot of sins with some well placed gussets.

[k0wtz]

as my neighbor says he is a amateur welder make sure he uses lots of stickum.

I can bet that frame can be fixed cleaned up like new

bob

[Borrego Dave]

That looks WAY better Brian.

[stevebaz]

Well I have a few questions for you. If that trailer came off the hitch would the propane bottle grind on the ground? The way the safety chains are rigged if the trailer came off the hitch would the tongue be held up off the ground? If you lost the ball mount hitch pin would the chains keep the ball mount from pulling out of the receiver? Just things to think about while your evaluate your future set-up.

[k0wtz]

steve mine wouldn't it sets on the frame itself

bob

[stevebaz]

Originally Posted by k0wtz

steve mine wouldn't it sets on the frame itself

bob

Hey your supposed to be going to Quartzsite. Drive safe out there.

[k0wtz]

steve I am on my way in the morning I am going going going but my back is killing me.

bob

[stevebaz]

Originally Posted by k0wtz

steve I am on my way in the morning I am going going going but my back is killing me.

bob

Your back will warm up in Quartzsite and feel much better especially once you get the travel compression out of it.

[k0wtz]

after 2x getting rods removed my discs fussed then put back in I don't know if I will ever get better. I now have something happening when I turn it feels like someone is putting an ice pick in there.

despite it all I am going!

bob