I took my GN trailer for it's yearly check up yesterday, and was told that the welds that hold the GN Frame onto the trailer are cracked and compromised, and not safe to haul horses!  This trailer, a '96, shows very little rust, and has been well maintained (the floor is in excellent condition!).  I'm baffled!  In the last 2 years we've hauled sheep in it more than horses, and it's not been abused.  I got it in 2001, and it was nearly new at the time.

Anyone else out there ever heard of this?  Suggestions on how to deal with it?  I've called the mfg, but surprise, no one's returned my messages.  I really can't afford to buy another trailer, and can't afford to be without it either....

It seems like too big a job to fix--the welds that hold the beams that run under the tongue are cracked almost the entire length of the beams (6 feet) plus at the right angles where the verticle wall of the body attach.  The guy who's always done my safety check said he wouldn't touch it, but said it would need gussets to make it stable.

Makes me think its more defective than not.

If you don't have the trailer repaired, it is worthless. You can't sell it without disclosing its faults. You can't safely use it without endangering everyone involved.

I would first try to find a "fabricator". They are usually versed in a wide assortment of repairs and welding is second nature to them. Usually their billing is an hourly charge plus materials. A few days of labour with an experienced person can produce a great deal of results. Gussets, doublers and additional materials can greatly strengthen any structure. The repairs will involve much more than simply welding the cracks.

Many trailer and RV dealers are not equipped for this type of repair. If you find a good welder with access to sheet materials and the tools to work them, you will be surprised how well and quickly your trailer can be renovated.

Gard

I am a welder who is certified to weld anything except under water.  I have never seen a trailer with broken welds that couldn't be fixed.  Addition of gussets is an easy fix and not at all complicated.  Any competent welder can do the job, whether the trailer is steel or aluminium.

Marla

It sounds like the guy who inspected it is NOT a weldor...

Before you throw the baby out with the bath water...get some estimates from some reputable weldors...then make your decision...

With the economic slowdown...you may get some good prices...

Thanks everyone for you encouragement--you're right, the original inspector is not a welder--took it to a guy who does welding and other work for a lot of trailer cos here, and he said the welds aren't cracked, it's the caulking which has allowed the welds to get wet and rust.  Got a great estimate to get it worked on, and the best news was that it really wasn't that bad, and I was able to use it for a big event this weekend.  I'll be getting it fixed shortly.

Glad you got a second opinion. After it is welded, make sure the area is properly prepared and painted to prevent further rust. Man, say that ten times fast!

Gard

Some have been made with treated lumber,and,some not,and it's hard to tell.This is what I personally do for mine.

I do not believe in painting them.Paint can flake up and trap moisture and dirt.About twice yearly I scrub mine with a stiff floor broom and some Murphy's Oil Soap.I let it dry well,for say,24-48 hours.THen I take a garden sprayer and apply some decking preservative such as Thompson's Water Seal or Olympic Deck Seal.It doesn't really "seal" it off like varnish,but,well,you probably know what it does.

In between times,I keep mine cleaned out after every use,and rinse it out with plain water if one of my horses urinates in it.I've never had to replace a wooden floor yet,and they always looked like new.

Did you say it ten times? For a wood preservative to work properly, it has to soak into the wood, and absorb into the cellulose structure. After it dries, it will displace and repel any other fluids trying to do the same thing. This is what preserves the wood.

Most paints don't do this, even some of the better oil bases. They are simply too viscous to penetrate into the smaller spaces. Latex is worse for this application, because it ends up only being a surface coating, which is easily scuffed off.

The best deck sealant, with the longest durability is your best bet. You don't have to worry about UV degration in this application, so a clear, oil based  sealant will work well. You do not want the thick water base products that are very similar to paints. Any big box store has a wide selection. Buy for quality, not price.

I owned a stock trailer that I sealed with a deck product from Home Depot, I'm pretty sure it was a Behr name. When the trailer was sold, the flooring was like new, having been protected with mats and the waterproofing. The sealant can be reapplied if you notice wear.

In the marine industry, there are an assortment of epoxies that are specifically formulated to penetrate and permanently seal the wood. In a trailer's application, I believe they would be overkill and know that they are very expensive. I have used several brands of them for many years with great success.

Gard