Posted 2015-10-24 10:28 PM (#165170) Subject: Where to take trailer to fix
Veteran
Posts: 122 Location: Monroe, WA
I have a 2000 Sundowner, 3H LQ, steel frame, aluminum siding. Last year at this time I had trouble with the escape door not closing. The thought was that the hinges were loose on the door. I took it to a trailer place and they did not fix it, said it was fine. It was fine. Now a year later at the same show, I couldn't latch the escape door. Where I was parked to unload seemed level but must not have been. Moved to the RV site and almost got the door closed. Unhitched and leveled the trailer and the door was fine. It seems that if the trailer is level or nose high, no problem but if the nose is below level the door will not shut.
So maybe the frame is giving???? The LQ door is fine in all cases which is just forward of the escape door and on the other side. Do I take it to a trailer place, body shop or a weld shop, or...?
Posted 2015-10-25 12:13 AM (#165172 - in reply to #165170) Subject: RE: Where to take trailer to fix
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
You can look where the bolt meets the striker plate. When the trailer is not level, it may be that the bolt is not able to enter into the striker plate and frame. Sometimes it's a simple matter of filing the plate hole larger, in the vertical top and bottom areas. This will allow the bolt to enter the hole and secure the door, when the frame is flexed, because the trailer is not level. On some trailers with age, their construction techniques and material selections, will allow more chassis flexing than other brands. This can change the operating characteristics of doors and windows.
Posted 2015-10-25 11:03 AM (#165176 - in reply to #165170) Subject: RE: Where to take trailer to fix
Veteran
Posts: 122 Location: Monroe, WA
The trailer is currently unhitched so I went out and dropped the nose all the way down, the door still works. So it is when it is hitched to the truck that it doesn't work.
It is not the latch. The door cannot shut due to the shift, the opening is no longer square. So you think this is normal flexing in an older trailer?
Posted 2015-10-25 11:36 AM (#165178 - in reply to #165170) Subject: RE: Where to take trailer to fix
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Frame flexing that inhibits the doors' operation is not normal. If this condition wasn't evident when the trailer was new, it may be a result of a broken part, sheared rivets or weld(s) within the frame structure. A steel frame can rust, weakening its strength. Something has changed within the trailer's structure, that is now allowing an abnormal amount of flexation. Jacking the trailer whilst someone is underneath inspecting and looking for changes, will be necessary. Also check the goose to the sidewall transition. It supports the hitch and is a separately applied structure to the box. It may take the skills of a fabricator, frame shop or knowledgeable trailer repair facility to discover the problem. There IS something wrong. It should be further investigated and repaired/strengthened before it progresses.
Posted 2015-10-25 2:56 PM (#165179 - in reply to #165170) Subject: RE: Where to take trailer to fix
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
How timely. We passed an older Valuelite today coming from the Arabian Nationals, three horse LQ and it had some major frame problems. The gooseneck area could be seen to flex up and was not in parallel with either the roof or floor frame of the trailer. It was so bad that my non-horse husband said that "things didn't look right." The steel portion under the neck and the hitch itself were so corroded I couldn't believe it was on the highway and had horses in it. (It had been painted over in several areas so maybe it had been wrecked.) It should have been headed for the junk yard on a back road. Please take your door problems as a red flag that things aren't as they should be. How you'd get them fixed without pulling all the Aluminum skins I don't know. Sounds like you'll be getting a new trailer, so congrats!
Posted 2015-10-25 5:01 PM (#165183 - in reply to #165170) Subject: RE: Where to take trailer to fix
Elite Veteran
Posts: 658 Location: Rayne, LA
I would suggest anyone that has knowledge of trailers, either a horse trailer dealer or welding shop, But either way I would suggest doing it soon, Good luck and I hope it works out well for both you and your animals
Posted 2015-10-26 2:49 PM (#165188 - in reply to #165170) Subject: RE: Where to take trailer to fix
Veteran
Posts: 150 Location: Harrisburg, OR
As was mentioned in previous posts you probably have a weakening of your frame somewhere. It could be as simple as a broken weld on your escape door or could be more complicated. The majority of escape door flexing issues we find are a result of broken welds in the framing of the escape door. We are located just north of Eugene, OR and fix frame issues all the time. You also have Luft Trailers in Ellensburg that is a little closer and they do good work and could fix it as well. Thad Akins Akins Trailer Sales
Posted 2015-10-26 3:03 PM (#165192 - in reply to #165188) Subject: RE: Where to take trailer to fix
Veteran
Posts: 122 Location: Monroe, WA
Thanks Thad, good information! My neighbor is going to crawl under to see if he can see anything, when, I don't know. Good to know Luft Trailers can do the work!!
Posted 2015-10-27 8:26 AM (#165205 - in reply to #165176) Subject: RE: Where to take trailer to fix
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
Originally written by Slidinspots on 2015-10-25 11:03 AM
The trailer is currently unhitched so I went out and dropped the nose all the way down, the door still works. So it is when it is hitched to the truck that it doesn't work.
It is not the latch. The door cannot shut due to the shift, the opening is no longer square. So you think this is normal flexing in an older trailer?
Good to have neighbor look under for sure. But with this comment, also be sure and look closely throughout the neck. A trailer sitting on the jack is stressed differently than one on a truck. If the door only acts up when the trailer is hooked up- that's a flag for issue in that area at least for sure.
Posted 2015-11-04 1:49 AM (#165289 - in reply to #165170) Subject: RE: Where to take trailer to fix
Veteran
Posts: 122 Location: Monroe, WA
Update: there is a broken weld where the "header" over the escape door meets the upright. I am a bit pissed it was missed during inspection last year but glad there is not more damage and should be an easy fix. Thanks for all the help.
Where to take trailer to fix
