Hi Y'allWhile I was underneath my fifth wheel the other day replacing a grey water valve, I noticed that the suspension components on the right side of the trailer (it is a tandem axle, each axle rated 7000 pounds) were severely bent inwards (towards the center of the trailer). The damage appeared to be mostly in the "I" beam trailer frame (it was twisted) and in the spring hangers (bent inwards).To make a long story short, I was able to untwist the frame and hangers sufficiently so that the components appear to be hanging correctly. (I'm quite sure they are not completely correct)I have two questions concerning this:1. What might have caused this (and how to prevent it in the future)?2. Where should I take the fifth wheel to have the alignment checked and corrected? (I am currently in the Atlanta, Georgia area)FWIW, I have no idea when or where this occurred and I did not notice anything weird in the way the trailer handled. I tend to go back and forth across the US and put many miles on the trailer as well as putting it in some "difficult" places. My last trip took me from Los Angeles to Atlanta with stops in Seattle, Canada, and New York for a total of about 7000 miles.Any help and pointers will be greatly appreciated.Mike:h

I would take it to a truck frame and alignment shop to get it fixed.

Let me start by asking if you know the weight of your trailer? Visit a truck stop and weigh the unit. What does the factory tag the dry weight at?

If the frame was bent it will need to be reinforced or it will have a weak spot and will bend again. A truck frame and alignment shop will be able to repair it correctly.

corvettekent wrote:I would take it to a truck frame and alignment shop to get it fixed.Yup, a good shop as suggested above, can likely make it better than new.Jerry

Mgr1001 wrote:Hi Y'allWhile I was underneath my fifth wheel the other day replacing a grey water valve, I noticed that the suspension components on the right side of the trailer (it is a tandem axle, each axle rated 7000 pounds) were severely bent inwards (towards the center of the trailer). The damage appeared to be mostly in the "I" beam trailer frame (it was twisted) and in the spring hangers (bent inwards).To make a long story short, I was able to untwist the frame and hangers sufficiently so that the components appear to be hanging correctly. (I'm quite sure they are not completely correct)I have two questions concerning this:1. What might have caused this (and how to prevent it in the future)?2. Where should I take the fifth wheel to have the alignment checked and corrected? (I am currently in the Atlanta, Georgia area)FWIW, I have no idea when or where this occurred and I did not notice anything weird in the way the trailer handled. I tend to go back and forth across the US and put many miles on the trailer as well as putting it in some "difficult" places. My last trip took me from Los Angeles to Atlanta with stops in Seattle, Canada, and New York for a total of about 7000 miles.Any help and pointers will be greatly appreciated.Mike:hMike, details on your trailer would be helpful; age, model, size, etc.Most likely, the damage was caused when you had to do a sharp, near 90, turn at some point in time. Not all that rare, unfortunately. You really need to have a heavy shop take a look at the damage as the frame needs to be straightened and reinforced, as does the suspension. I'd say that the =opposite= side also needs to be looked at and reinforced, as well. Also, in these situations, adding cross-members between the frame rails is often done.Lyle

5th wheel alignment issues | Good Sam Community

Coach-man
Explorer
Nov 28, 2017
Sorry for your troubles. You bent the frame by causing excessive strain, on the components, as someone suggested a sharp 90 degree turn, with uneven ground in the mix! A heavy duty truck shop, should be able to straighten your frame and reinforce it. You should also replace The shackles, and hangers on both sides. Good luck!
laknox
Nomad
Nov 28, 2017
Mgr1001 wrote:
Hi Y'all

While I was underneath my fifth wheel the other day replacing a grey water valve, I noticed that the suspension components on the right side of the trailer (it is a tandem axle, each axle rated 7000 pounds) were severely bent inwards (towards the center of the trailer). The damage appeared to be mostly in the "I" beam trailer frame (it was twisted) and in the spring hangers (bent inwards).

To make a long story short, I was able to untwist the frame and hangers sufficiently so that the components appear to be hanging correctly. (I'm quite sure they are not completely correct)

I have two questions concerning this:

1. What might have caused this (and how to prevent it in the future)?

2. Where should I take the fifth wheel to have the alignment checked and corrected? (I am currently in the Atlanta, Georgia area)

FWIW, I have no idea when or where this occurred and I did not notice anything weird in the way the trailer handled. I tend to go back and forth across the US and put many miles on the trailer as well as putting it in some "difficult" places. My last trip took me from Los Angeles to Atlanta with stops in Seattle, Canada, and New York for a total of about 7000 miles.

Any help and pointers will be greatly appreciated.

Mike:h

Mike, details on your trailer would be helpful; age, model, size, etc.

Most likely, the damage was caused when you had to do a sharp, near 90, turn at some point in time. Not all that rare, unfortunately. You really need to have a heavy shop take a look at the damage as the frame needs to be straightened and reinforced, as does the suspension. I'd say that the =opposite= side also needs to be looked at and reinforced, as well. Also, in these situations, adding cross-members between the frame rails is often done.

Lyle
MFL
Nomad II
Nov 28, 2017
corvettekent wrote:
I would take it to a truck frame and alignment shop to get it fixed.

Yup, a good shop as suggested above, can likely make it better than new.

Jerry
Tyler0215
Explorer
Nov 28, 2017
If the frame was bent it will need to be reinforced or it will have a weak spot and will bend again. A truck frame and alignment shop will be able to repair it correctly.
Oasisbob
Explorer
Nov 28, 2017
Let me start by asking if you know the weight of your trailer? Visit a truck stop and weigh the unit. What does the factory tag the dry weight at?
corvettekent
Explorer
Nov 28, 2017
I would take it to a truck frame and alignment shop to get it fixed.

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