Cracked weld on my tongue.

[whoofit]

Just finishing up a four day stay on the seacoast. Did a brief walk around of the trailer while the CG was still asleep. Found this cracked weld on the tongue. This trailer has never seen a weight above 3300 lbs, a TW of 360 nor has it been offroad. I mean, come on, I tow with a Ford Escape. If anything I'd expect the TV to break apart like this.

This looks like it'gonna cost me two beers atleast. And I drank all mine last night!...sheesh

[leslie]

Sunday morning - ouch! There are a lot of mobile RV repairmen. If you can't find one who is qualified to repair the weld, thry should be able to find someone who can come to take care of this.

Let us know how you are doing.

[joanne]

What part of the tongue is that?

I've had centerline cracks on tongue welds also.

[daplumbr]

I'm headed out to the trailer right now to check visible welds! That's scary. I'll add weld inspection to my pre-trip checklist, something I never expected to need to do. 

[ammobob]

It can be fixed just make sure you find some qualified in welding aluminum. It's a skill not every welder knows how to do. Should not cost that much to fix either.

[fasteddieb]

I'm going to check out ours right now.

IIRC, aluminum is not "welded" per se´. I think the process is "Heli-Arc'd".

Though different, I think its very common, and many shops should be able to repair and reinforce a crack like that.

In any case, even if out of warranty it should be brought to Livin' Lite's attention. They may help out on the repair, even if out of warranty, but regardless should be informed or what may be an area of concern or weak welds.

[spot1]

[quote source="/post/10944/thread" timestamp="1431860586" author="@whoofit"]Just finishing up a four day stay on the seacoast. Did a brief walk around of the trailer while the CG was still asleep. Found this cracked weld on the tongue. This trailer has never seen a weight above 3300 lbs, a TW of 360 nor has it been offroad. I mean, come on, I tow with a Ford Escape. If anything I'd expect the TV to break apart like this.

This looks like it'gonna cost me two beers atleast. And I drank all mine last night!...sheesh

[fasteddieb]

OK - no cracks or bending after 14 months and over 4,000 miles towing with a w/d hitch.

[spot1]

Just checked our hitch & no issues with at least 10,000 miles:

[a href="http://s657.photobucket.com/user/vstromklr/media/2015/IMG_7014_zpsedrmxi7n.jpg.html"]

[shovelhead]

DJD !  I've been thinking about taking welding at the local votech school. I did take regular stick welding way back when.  But I  am looking at Mig Tig classes.  Hope you can get it resolved  that is a crack I wouldn't want overlooked. LL should be contacted even if your rig is not within warranty.

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/10946/thread" timestamp="1431864890" author="@leslie"]Sunday morning - ouch! There are a lot of mobile RV repairmen. If you can't find one who is qualified to repair the weld, thry should be able to find someone who can come to take care of this.

Let us know how you are doing.[/quote]Thanks, Leslie. After inspecting the other three sides of the tube with a mirror I decided to haul it home about 90 miles. The split is only on this side of the tube. Appreciate the advice and concern!

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/10949/thread" timestamp="1431866124" author="@michael"]What part of the tongue is that?

I've had centerline cracks on tongue welds also. [/quote][p]Michael here's a better picture of the area. It is the weld on the left.[/p][p]
[/p][p]

[whoofit]

I'm going to check out ours right now.

IIRC, aluminum is not "welded" per se´. I think the process is "Heli-Arc'd".

Though different, I think its very common, and many shops should be able to repair and reinforce a crack like that.

In any case, even if out of warranty it should be brought to Livin' Lite's attention. They may help out on the repair, even if out of warranty, but regardless should be informed or what may be an area of concern or weak welds.

Yep Eddie it is still under warranty for another 9 months. I have a friend who builds all aluminum trailers as a business among other transportation devices. He'll fix me right up. I can't wait for him to explain what happened. It will be far over my head right down to grain boundary reasons I'm sure but he will handle this for a six pack or so... This trailer is a 2013 leftover with about 1200 miles all put on by us.

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/10968/thread" timestamp="1431872690" author="@exploringcarolina"][quote source="/post/10944/thread" timestamp="1431860586" author="@whoofit"]

[/quote]Can you take a photo of the frame & hitch around the cracked weld?

Thanks!
[/quote][p]Done, Bill. Pic enclosed.[/p][p]
[/p]

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/10977/thread" timestamp="1431880657" author="@shovelhead"]DJD !  I've been thinking about taking welding at the local votech school. I did take regular stick welding way back when.  But I  am looking at Mig Tig classes.  Hope you can get it resolved  that is a crack I wouldn't want overlooked. LL should be contacted even if your rig is not within warranty.[/quote][p]Stick welding is all I've ever done too beside brazing and some silver soldering. I reckon LL has seen this all before. Maybe I'll send them a pic. I wouldn't expect them to be efficient in expediting a repair. I'll probably have another 2x4 tube welded to the bumper while I'm at it.[/p][p]
[/p][p]This thread was meant to alert owners in hopes they too will inspect before any catastrophic event would occur.
[/p]