Historical frame damage, current condition and my current plans - Fiberglass RV
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Old 06-11-2014, 06:23 PM   #1
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Name: Randy
Trailer: 1977 Trillium 1300
Ontario
Posts: 19
Historical frame damage, current condition and my current plans

Hi again,
My 1977 Trillium 1300 has some questionable frame and shell damage that appears to have resulted from some extremely rough road travels and or questionable jacking practices. The specific history is not known but the seller reports his part of it as follows;Was bought in Northern Ontario and since he’s had it he has kept it parked at a trailer park for the last 4 years with the exception of a few road trips, at least one of which was as far east as Cape Breton in Nova Scotia. He could not tell me anything about the frame damage and reported to not even be aware of it.
My speculation is that it had been towed behind a four wheel drive on some back roads and had hit some big potholes along the way. My observations from a positive perspective;
Structurally all windows work like a charm, one appears to have been struck (hard, by a shoulder maybe) and sustained some minor damage but otherwise are fine.
The shell to frame bolts appear solid;
The main frame components seem sound;
The crossers appear to have suffered the brunt of the damage ,overall not a show stopper but bent/cracked in some places, with two small sections at the main frame junction cracked to the point of needing weld repairs (pics 13;14;17;18)
The area of concern I’ll likely attempt to get welded first is the cracking at the frame to bumper junction, both sides. The starboard/passenger side area looks to be the worst one (pics 004 &005), port side pics are 035 & 038.
The damage to the shell appears to be above and in front of the wheels; pics 042 inside and 028 outside.
My negative take on this damage is that it appears that the force which caused this damage was enough to make a barely perceptible deviation at the roof area.
My current plans; I will be limiting this season’s trip/s to local campground along paved roads and will not be planning to lift the shell for a frame overhaul.
I’d like to hear of thoughts on this damage –does it look peculiar or commonplace for rough use trailering.
Related pics;
004 & 005- Starboard side frame to bumper junction small cracks
13;14;17;18- assorted frame crosser damage
035 & 038- Port/driver side frame to bumper junction small cracks 042 crack to glass inside and 028 outside
Thanks
Randy

Attached Thumbnails
004.JPG   005.JPG  

035.JPG   038.JPG  

013.JPG   014.JPG  

017.JPG   018.JPG  

028.JPG   042.JPG  

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Old 06-14-2014, 01:32 PM   #2
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Trailer: 2005 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
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The bent cross-members are not a safety concern. As long as they support the floor and you're comfortable walking around in your trailer, they're fine. I'd replace them if I was planning to do a frame-off repair, but otherwise probably leave them in-place.

The tears at the bumper are not too worrying. I'd take the trailer to a friend who knows how to arc-weld, patch the rents and add "L" plate gussets on either side of the bumper-to-frame connections.

If you decide to do a frame-off, get the frame sandblasted and inspected by a trailer frame welder. I'd suggest taking it to a place that maintains and repairs farm equipment, as they're often better welders and more moderately priced.

Either way, your frame needs to be cleaned and painted. If you do a frame-off and take it to a shop, have them paint it. If you leave it in-place, then you need to wire wire-brush it clean to remove any loose flakes and use POR-15 rust preventer. It's expensive, but it's the best product on the market for a frame with existing rust.

The cracks at the wheel wells suggest your floor may be rotted. If that's the case, it's a really big job to fix it. You basically have to gut the trailer, chip the floor out, then install new plywood and fiberglass. Big job. Been there, done that, hoping not to have to do that again.
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Old 06-16-2014, 08:59 AM   #3
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Trailer: 1981 Trillium 5500
Posts: 1,158
any outside pictures?
wondering if this is the 13000 I sold a few years ago

Joe
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Old 06-16-2014, 09:08 AM   #4
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Name: Dave W
Trailer: Trillium 4500 - 1976, 1978, 1979, 1300 - 1977, and a 1973
Alberta
Posts: 6,936
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I got nothing. Sorry.
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