What would cause this (picture of the damage)

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Crazy Alex, Nov 27, 2014.

  1. Crazy Alex

    Crazy Alex Light Load Member

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    Was going through the pics of the trailer I am planing to purchase and found this.This doesnt look good,does it? What would cause that piece to bend like that?

    CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

    PICT0014.jpg

    P.S. Away from the trailer,can't inspect it...Did inspection earlier,didn't see that :(
     
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  3. Nukem

    Nukem Road Train Member

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    My first thought was the tandums were taken off for repair/replacement and then not re-installed correctly. Are there any signs of the frame being welded or repaired like it was cracked or broken?


    Or one heck of a humongous trailer bounce. LOL


    either way I would shy away from it, even if it's a simple fix, you don't know the history behind it.
     
  4. Lowa3468

    Lowa3468 Heavy Load Member

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    it looks like the trailer came off track at one point in time and nobody really fixed it. my speculation would be that its auto air release so driver released the pins pulled forward or backward and once the trailer protection valve is in the pins should re-ingage but thinking the pins didnt fully re-ingage and when driver came to a stop the tandems went willy wampus, and had to have a repair shop come out and fix it so they straightened it out best they could just left the bent part the way it was as they felt not that important to fix.

    i would think if dot inspected may or may not get put out of service for it but for sure would get a fix it ticket on it.
     
  5. marek4792

    marek4792 Light Load Member

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    Sliding the tandems on a slight angle could do that and/or being too aggressive (too fast) while sliding tandems eventually the brackets get bent up too far and the end result in the picture is what you get.
     
  6. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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  7. TLeaHeart

    TLeaHeart Road Train Member

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    I will bet that trailer eats tires, from the sideways racking that pulled the bracket off the track.
     
  8. OriginalBigfoot

    OriginalBigfoot Light Load Member

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    New Orleans, LA
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    I don't believe this would ever happen due to usage. The rails hold the carriage clamps in place and they cannot bend enough for the clamp to dislodge without breaking off the cross members. This happened when the unit was in the shop and the tandem was reinstalled improperly. I'm guessing that this is the first time you're hooking that trailer? It's not a serious problem, but note it on your DVIR and call your safety manager. While it's not an emergency, it should be repaired as soon as possible. It also does not make the trailer unsafe to pull, so you shouldn't get put out of service in an inspection -- that doesn't mean you won't.
     
  9. KW Cajun

    KW Cajun Road Train Member

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    I've never ever run across seeing that before, except where the rails & retainer were really badly rusted thin. That iron looks solid.
    My best guess on its original cause would be one hellacious wheel hopping panic stop, combined with loose rail guide fit/tolerances.
    First thing I'd check is frame rail straightness, consistent measurement between rails, and parallel-ness of the rails. Also check all welds, both sides.
     
  10. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    the op is planning on purchasing the trailer. maybe. his safety manager, if he has one. probably won't care about his own equipment. :biggrin_25519:
     
  11. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    I would change the plan and not purchase this trailer.
     
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