Posted 2007-03-20 10:56 AM (#57371) Subject: Help- where to fix body damage?
Veteran
Posts: 112
Location: Columbus, Ohio
OK, I have a NEW trailer that SOMEONE backed into and left a nice dent in the gravel guard-looks awful- would really like to fix but the fix-a-dent places won't work on alum.. The dent isn't creased- just pushed in- doesn't go through into tack room.
Had one suggestion to have manuf. send new gravel guard but looking at the trailer (7'3" wide) this looks like a bigger job than just removing old (rivets, cuts etc..) Is it even POSSIBLE to have a dent suctioned out somewhere? Anyone else have their alum. trailers in for dent repair? If so, where? Thanks and curses to the person who hit me!!!
Posted 2007-03-21 2:54 PM (#57466 - in reply to #57371) Subject: RE: Help- where to fix body damage?
Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont
Any reputable trailer dealer with a service center should be able to pull it out...if it is just cosmetic...why bother...unless you have the hitters insurance number...
Posted 2007-03-21 10:27 PM (#57487 - in reply to #57371) Subject: RE: Help- where to fix body damage?
Expert
Posts: 1989
Location: South Central OK
Aluminum isn't designed (structurally, the chemical bonds) to bend, it breaks. Steel bends and can be bent back into place. I think depending on the dent if they pull it out that the metal may have micro-fractures and prematurely fail.
Posted 2007-03-22 4:20 AM (#57488 - in reply to #57371) Subject: RE: Help- where to fix body damage?
Member
Posts: 22
Location: Little Britain, Ontario, Canada
Howdy!
You will have to have that piece replaced. As mentioned above alum. does not bend like steel, it usally breaks when being pulled back out. Most trailer dealers have someone who does this kind of repair.
Posted 2007-03-22 10:09 AM (#57496 - in reply to #57371) Subject: RE: Help- where to fix body damage?
Veteran
Posts: 112
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Yep, was afraid of that. This is the first time I wish I had steel!! I do have comprehensive insurance- wouldn't fix except it is BRAND NEW!!! Thanks for the input!