Broken weld joints on angle iron inside rear wheel well
2011 Access 24v
So I have two “L” bracket joints inside the rear wheel area that has weld joints that have cracked and dislodged. (See pics) my question is are these structural or for weight bearing. They are both flimsy material. I will bolt them back together for now but was hoping for some input “PLEASE”
Hi Rich,
Those are truss supports. Take your rig to an experienced welding shop, give him a blank check, and let the guy rebuild it as he sees fit. He certainly will rebuild it to be much stronger.
Let us know how it goes.
Thanks, Eagle5
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2019 Minnie Winnie 22M on an E-450 frame
In your first picture, that support piece connects to the bottom of an upright piece. The top of that upright piece that has a black cable tie on it looks like it has a gap in it where it connects to the coach floor above. Is that correct or just the angle of the photo? Might be welded okay on the other sides though.
__________________ The things you own control your life.
2021 Winnebago Vista 35U towing a 2022 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 2010 Cadillac SRX 2003 Itasca Sunova 30B
That is correct, it does have weld around it still. That gap is rust and corrosion. Odd because this RV never sees a New England winter. The other side of rig is in perfect condition.
Are those on the same side of the chassis? Reason I ask is if they are, it almost looks like the body has moved on the frame stressing the welds on the uprights. The weld circled looks pretty sloppy and the upright looks bent, that would break loose the lower straps too. Does the strap on the opposite side look like it’s compressed?
Hoping that's not the case but should be looked at a little closer to make sure everything is OK.
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2018 Sunstar 32YE
2 dogs, Max & Bitty
Are those on the same side of the chassis? Reason I ask is if they are, it almost looks like the body has moved on the frame stressing the welds on the uprights. The weld circled looks pretty sloppy and the upright looks bent, that would break loose the lower straps too. Does the strap on the opposite side look like it’s compressed?
Hoping that's not the case but should be looked at a little closer to make sure everything is OK.
Good point, it has not moved at all. It just appears that way based on the angle of the photo
Well, I think that they all are structural and weight bearing. Those brackets, etc are part of the coach construction and have nothing to do with the chassis itself which is a good thing- you don't have to worry about a chassis failure at 70 mph causing a disaster on the road.
In the first pic that bracket helps support weight in the coach above, either people or equipment. The others may be the same although that diagonal member in the second pic is part of a structural "truss" that resists bending. Also the bracket in the first pic looks like it can be permanently fixed by drilling and bolting it back together. Although I must say the weld at the other end looks pretty gnarly. The strut in the third pic looks like it can be fixed the same way.
Do the bolting for a quick and permanent fix and then have a welder look at the others and weld them back if necessary.
I agree, I will get this repaired once I’m settled down in a few months. I’m traveling from Maine to Florida and back. I did bolt them up with brackets but let’s see how they hold and sound, if they rattle constantly I’ll remove the bolts and push them out out of the way for now...