Posted 2012-06-20 1:24 PM (#144987) Subject: Hairline cracks at aluminum welds on goose
Regular
Posts: 72 Location: Hoosierville
Trailer is an aluminum trailer with some cracking (minor) on the cap, about 3' long. The location would be about at the foot of the bed on the goose area. Then today I noticed some cracking at the aluminum weld spots which would be the first weld from the front of the goose, that is closest to the truck. Is this normal? the trailer is only 12 years old and really hasn't seen that much road time with me. I have owned it a 2 years. I know the minor cap cracks were there when I bought the trailer but the other ones are fairly new. How serious is this/ Also my truck even though it is an F450 doesn't always pull this trailer so nicely, ( it does "trailer hitching" or gets somewhat jerky at times) so perhaps my truck has some issue that has caused these cracks--at least the new ones anyway. Thanks for all input.
Posted 2012-06-20 10:31 PM (#145009 - in reply to #144987) Subject: RE: Hairline cracks at aluminum welds on goose
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
"Cracks in welds are not good...."
If the welds are cracking, the structure is under framed, and not strong enough for what it is being used. Rewelding the weld can actually result in a weaker joint.
I would suggest a trip to a fabricator where the welds will be cut and ground out, additional metal gussets are added, and then have the whole lot rewelded.
Posted 2012-06-20 11:53 PM (#145010 - in reply to #144987) Subject: RE: Hairline cracks at aluminum welds on goose
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by tirebiter on 2012-06-20 1:24 PM
Trailer is an aluminum trailer with some cracking (minor) on the cap, about 3' long. The location would be about at the foot of the bed on the goose area. Then today I noticed some cracking at the aluminum weld spots which would be the first weld from the front of the goose, that is closest to the truck. Is this normal? the trailer is only 12 years old and really hasn't seen that much road time with me. I have owned it a 2 years. I know the minor cap cracks were there when I bought the trailer but the other ones are fairly new. How serious is this/ Also my truck even though it is an F450 doesn't always pull this trailer so nicely, ( it does "trailer hitching" or gets somewhat jerky at times) so perhaps my truck has some issue that has caused these cracks--at least the new ones anyway. Thanks for all input.
Posted 2012-06-28 9:34 AM (#145192 - in reply to #145009) Subject: RE: Hairline cracks at aluminum welds on goose
Regular
Posts: 72 Location: Hoosierville
Thanks for the advice...I had been thinking similarly to what you said. I hope this won't cost a small fortune!! Thought Jamco trailers were built like tanks so I am very disappointed. I will be writing them a letter as well as finding a reputable fabricator business.
Posted 2012-06-28 11:14 AM (#145193 - in reply to #144987) Subject: RE: Hairline cracks at aluminum welds on goose
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
Just went thru same issue with a 3 yr old high dollar LQ trailer. Cracks are appearing on the cap at the top "elbow" joint where the neck goes vertical down to the floor. Trailer is still under warrenty. Talked to dealer, welding shops (2), and the manufacturer. They all agreed that this is "normal". Joint support/strength, in our case, is provided by gussets that are riveted thru the main frame using steel reinforcment. Cracks are located on just the cap covering this gusset. As long as rivets are tight, no worries. Manufacturer said that they just started welding this joint a few years back as was having people complain that they forgot to weld it. They are now not welding it again but using an expoxy (sp) to cover the joint.
Please call the manufacture to discuss as it might just be cosmetic as in our case.
Posted 2012-06-28 11:34 AM (#145194 - in reply to #144988) Subject: RE: Hairline cracks at aluminum welds on goose
Veteran
Posts: 201
Originally written by retento on 2012-06-20 1:49 PM
What make, size and weight trailer is it. Cracks in welds are not good....
Agreed, I don't care what brand of trailer it is or where the cracks are they are either structurally under built or over loaded and stressed by the owner.
Posted 2012-06-28 12:32 PM (#145197 - in reply to #144987) Subject: RE: Hairline cracks at aluminum welds on goose
Member
Posts: 8
Location: Indiana
I would suggest taking it to a Jamco dealer or the manufacturer. They would have the most knowledge about how the Jamcos are built and what the best remedy would be. The US manufacturer is not too from where you are, in Middlebury IN, and your nearest dealer would be in Shipshewana where I am.
Posted 2012-06-30 2:34 PM (#145237 - in reply to #144987) Subject: RE: Hairline cracks at aluminum welds on goose
Veteran
Posts: 264 Location: Sumas Washington
One of the things trailer pullers have to understand is that many of the 450- 4500 and 550-5500 trucks have a high high spring rate. This translates to more road shock transmitted into the neck of the trailer. The more shock that the trailer gets the more prone to stress cracking it is. There is a very good argument for a air ride truck suspension or at least a air ride hitch in these applications. I have seen older trailers in great shape nearly distroyed after a few thousand miles of towing with a leaf spring class 8 (semi) truck. VERY VERY ROUGH RIDE costs money.
Posted 2012-07-05 9:34 AM (#145374 - in reply to #144987) Subject: RE: Hairline cracks at aluminum welds on goose
Regular
Posts: 72 Location: Hoosierville
Thanks to all. Trailer currently at the manufacturer; hoping I get a permanent fix and not a bandage repair. And to the person whose trailer has similar cap cracking; don't accept that as "normal" or "cosmetic".
Hairline cracks at aluminum welds on goose
