Possible frame rail, hitch receiver issue..
..Was under the Motorhome a few weeks ago, looking at some things, and noticed at the back, where the hitch receiver bolts to the frame, that the frame rails seem to have bent, twisted slightly. I kn...
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thanks for the responses.
No, nothing was ever towed with a heavy tongue weight. We had this coach from the day it was brand new, and only towing ever done was 4 down (and very briefly with a dolly).
Now, there have been a couple bad dips in the road over the years that really rocked the Motorhome and toad, but like roam1 said, I would have thought that would have bent it the other way (up), not down?
tinmac: Yes, its definitely extensions, I can see where they welded on extensions, probably the last 3 or 4 feet of frame is an extension. I thought, too, that maybe the extension was weaker, but it looks like the same gauge, kind of steel it was made from as the main frame rails. Guess its possible they used a cheaper steel/metal that isn't as strong, but still looks the same?
I seem to recall reading about how you had a frame re-inforcement done on yours, wondered if I may have to do something like that to resolve this. Yes, I'd be curious to see the pictures you have of such.
...Since it appears I may well need the services of a frame shop....Can anyone help me located a good, reputable truck frame shop around Charlotte, NC area that might could handle this work? That is what I really need help with. I know there is a Cummins repair shop just off I-85 in Charlotte that handles a lot of big trucks, diesel pusher Motorhomes, but not sure if they are equipped to do frame work like this..
Have to say also, that if the conservative way we used the hitch receiver on this Motorhome (well within all ratings) caused this in just 5 years.....Makes me wonder if a LOT of Motorhomes may have this issue at some point, and nobody knows or wants to think about it, haha.
Will
No, nothing was ever towed with a heavy tongue weight. We had this coach from the day it was brand new, and only towing ever done was 4 down (and very briefly with a dolly).
Now, there have been a couple bad dips in the road over the years that really rocked the Motorhome and toad, but like roam1 said, I would have thought that would have bent it the other way (up), not down?
tinmac: Yes, its definitely extensions, I can see where they welded on extensions, probably the last 3 or 4 feet of frame is an extension. I thought, too, that maybe the extension was weaker, but it looks like the same gauge, kind of steel it was made from as the main frame rails. Guess its possible they used a cheaper steel/metal that isn't as strong, but still looks the same?
I seem to recall reading about how you had a frame re-inforcement done on yours, wondered if I may have to do something like that to resolve this. Yes, I'd be curious to see the pictures you have of such.
...Since it appears I may well need the services of a frame shop....Can anyone help me located a good, reputable truck frame shop around Charlotte, NC area that might could handle this work? That is what I really need help with. I know there is a Cummins repair shop just off I-85 in Charlotte that handles a lot of big trucks, diesel pusher Motorhomes, but not sure if they are equipped to do frame work like this..
Have to say also, that if the conservative way we used the hitch receiver on this Motorhome (well within all ratings) caused this in just 5 years.....Makes me wonder if a LOT of Motorhomes may have this issue at some point, and nobody knows or wants to think about it, haha.
Will
