Looked at a 2003 Bloomer today noticed stress cracks in the welds on the goose neck section. not very big but noticiable. i know this aint good but how bad is it? what are the chances it gets worse.
Posted 2012-02-18 6:42 PM (#141192 - in reply to #141191) Subject: RE: stress cracks
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Posts: 264
Location: Sumas Washington
Stress cracks on the GN are VERY VERY bad, even with normal use they will WILL only get worse. I will take someone that is really good with aluminum to properly repair those cracks to keep them from getting worse. I assume that this is a large heavy trailer. I would also assume that it was pulled by a class 5 truck with spring suspension. That is a very rough ride for the front of the trailer.
Posted 2012-02-19 9:03 AM (#141212 - in reply to #141191) Subject: RE: stress cracks
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Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by barsix on 2012-02-18 6:39 PM
Looked at a 2003 Bloomer today noticed stress cracks in the welds on the goose neck section. not very big but noticiable. i know this aint good but how bad is it? what are the chances it gets worse.
Is it the steel frame work and coupler section, or the area that makes up the aluminum gooseneck/bunk area??
Posted 2012-02-19 11:51 AM (#141216 - in reply to #141191) Subject: RE: stress cracks
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Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Stress cracks are an indictaion of structural problems, not usually weld issues. By rewelding the joint, not only will the hardness and strength of the aluminum be adversely affected, but the underlying problem would not have been addressed. A reweld could actually make the matter worse.
As Hosspuller mentioned, aircraft too suffer stress cracks. They can be found on fuselage mounted engines near the attach fittings, openings such as door frames, or near pressure bulkheads. They are not repaired by welding.
Engineers of the manufacturer and the FAA, figure out how much additional material is necessary to add to the structure, to prevent it from failing under the applicable stresses. Additional pieces of structures are mechanically fastened in these areas. A second strengthening piece would be a "doubler". In some instances, a third or fourth piece can be added. They are affixed by blind or solid rivets in some instances, bolts in others.
The only fix that would provide a permant repair, would be the installation of additional materials. Done properly, their size and shape would involve some engineering and imagineering. The present structure is apparently insufficient for its weight.
You did a good job with your inspection. Many people would not have been so thorough, and likely would have missed the problems.
As Hosspuller also said, "pass it by". Good advice.