Frame cross members.

if the right DOT man sees that you are toast, i wouldn't pull that empty down the road, that is an out of service waiting to happen and with new rules, you can't afford it.

 

This would be great question for a structural engineer to answer. Many beams have holes in the side to reduce weight and because strength wise, that extra material isn't needed. For me, I look at the general over structural integrity of the support members. Big rotten holes are getting written up. Smaller ones, I can live with. If I feel the box or whatever isn't going to fall off and it still well supported by neighboring members that are in good shape, I will let it go. The rules basically say it has to be "damaged, cracked or insecure". I guess rust rot could be one of those grey areas.

 

OOS. Large, gaping holes in your cross members are not normal. "Bent, broken, loose, sagging." They will get you for that, the term 'rusting' or 'holes' would get almost any truck OOS today, as it is so vague. That rusted frame rail is broken beyond repair with the rust. It's a very grey area, but I wouldn't be running around with that.

 

There holes in it...do you have to ask......

The other guy said i beams sometimes have holes to reduce weight. He is right, but they are structurally designed in the right place so that strength isnt compromised. That is just asking for something heavy to fall through the floor when you hit a pot hole/

 

surface rust isnt a violation as long as its still structurally ok. Holes are structural problems.

 

O yea, some shippers will refuse to load you. A lot of paper shippers inspect trailer before loading.

 

When in dought call you local inspector and ask if he would mind coming over and giving his opinion.
In our area that would be a fail, be sure you write it down on every pre-trip, just to cover your ?
Just a thought!

 

It would all depend on the mood of the officer / inspector. While I see no immediate danger, it is time to replace them.