kc
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Post by kc on Jul 7, 2019 10:13:17 GMT -8
Vintage 50's trailer...Out of the 10 frame welds from vertical to horizontal beams, one weld broke loose. Tow it or not?
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debranch
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Wee Camp
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Post by debranch on Jul 7, 2019 10:51:30 GMT -8
pictures will help others give advice..... Debra
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kc
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Post by kc on Jul 7, 2019 11:02:58 GMT -8
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 7, 2019 13:25:55 GMT -8
Are you asking if you can tow home 20 miles with one weld broken? IF every other weld and framing bolt is solid, I think yes.
If you’re asking if you can forget about it and never fix it? I’d say no.
Even an with my cheap MIG it would only take an hour to fix. A professional welder will be done with this repair in 30 minutes or less.
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turbodaddy
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Post by turbodaddy on Jul 7, 2019 18:52:59 GMT -8
This brings back memories. I did all the right things (that I learned here) when I went to pick up our camper. I brought all kinds of tools, jacks, jack stands, wheel bearings and grease. I'd already paid cash, and the owner had gone somewhere. I jacked up one side to check the wheel bearings and found a broken weld at the leaf spring mount. I called my wife and told her, "I think I made a huge mistake." By chance a guy dropped by to pick up some lawnmower parts and saw me with my "new" camper. "Cool camper...did you buy it?" I replied that I had, but just found a major problem. He was a local guy and I asked if he knew a welder. 30 minutes later his welder buddy came by and fixed the problem for $40. I spent a night in a crappy motel and towed it home next morning. Remarkably, I made it home without problems. Later, I learned how to read the codes on tires and found that they were over 10 years old. Seller told me they were "new". "New" meaning having no mileage on them, trailer tires should be replaced at least every 5 years regardless of miles on them.
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studeclunker
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Post by studeclunker on Aug 2, 2019 12:42:53 GMT -8
Actually, ALL Chinese made tires should be replaced every five years. Inferior materials in their tires are causing failures on even new tires.
As to the original question:
If that photo is of the back bumper, tow it.
If that photo is of the hitch, FIX First or put it on another trailer!
In fact, be safe, just put it on another trailer.
Edit:
"Out of the 10 frame welds from vertical to horizontal beams, one weld broke loose."
Okay, sometimes I'm better off going back and reading the OP again before replying...
So this appears to just be a floor support? I would tow it. However, on the vast majority of these wee little campers, I would just put it on a flat-bed or car trailer regardless for the initial trip home.
Due to how campers like this are constructed, a few straps around it wouldn't hurt either, Lengthwise especially. Hook to the Camper's axle and toss it over the roof. Don't cinch it too very tightly, but firmly so there's no flapping. In a foot right and left sides. Dawdling on the way home is a good idea too.
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kc
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Post by kc on Aug 30, 2019 13:05:08 GMT -8
Vintage 50's trailer...Out of the 10 frame welds from vertical to horizontal beams, one weld broke loose. Tow it or not? Hello, So, what did you do? Don't leave us hanging.  Thanks, Rod LOL. I had a buddy come over and weld it for me real quick like. I grinded all metal surfaces clean and he knows what he is doing, but it was spittin like crazy and has to be the ugliest weld I have ever seen. But done a couple trips since then, including one where I hit a sudden drop off pretty fast and hard, and it seems fine. But now, it's time to sell her. |
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