Tips for cracking the frame

And I thought everybody on here was of the opinion that a dump valve was a must and to use it at every turn.
Or are you just a Reitnouer hater?

 

I know of 4 Reitnouer steps that did exactly what he referred to. The ones I seen all cracked right at the front axle.

If he is a hater I can sure understand why

 

Actually, that's not such a half baked question. When I had my '82 Western Star, when it had spring ride, I noticed it leaning to the left one day, took a look see, sure enough, the left frame rail cracked right behind the sleeper. I had a shop put a sleeve inside the rail and weld it, but it cracked again in the same spot, so I had the back cut off, put a Pete air ride stub on, with longer sleeves, bolted AND welded, and problem solved, almost like a double frame. That truck hauled a lot of overweight containers, which I believe cracked the frame in the 1st place.

 

That’s exactly what happened snowman cracks right through both main beams at the front axle. That was about 10 years ago. an old-timer told me it could happen but I didn’t believe him. we patched it still have the trailer

 

Do Reitnouer flatbeds crack there also??

 

No they will only crack at the axles because people don't maintain the suspension boxes. Where the steel bolts to the frame corrosion builds up and stretches the bolts and will break bolts. This if left unresolved will start small cracks at the bolt holes because of movement. Which can grow to big cracks if neglected.

 

I admit to not removing the corrosion from around the suspension boxes but that’s not where my step deck cracked. I will try to remember to post a pic on a couple days

 

I'm talking about flatbed not a step deck. What year is your cracked step deck?

 

Did a mechanic fix it recently ? Why are you trying to break it

 

Put some heat to it with a torch where you want it to crack,quench it with a hose,then load it real heavy. If it doesn't work the first time, do it again, you'll get it.