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bg23's avatar
bg23
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014

Possible Frame Damage in new to me Travel trailer

I recently purchased an 18ft, 2002 Thor Wanderer. I am fairly new to RV'ing so I am posting here to get some advice from some that are more in the know. First off, I am reasonably certain that some amount of frame damage existed prior to me buying this trailer.

I have had it out twice this season after purchasing in the spring. On the first trip out I have to admit to being naive about how to use the stabilizing jacks and I definitely jacked up certain corners too much and used the scissor jacks for leveling the trailer rather than just stabilizing. I have since read how bad this is for the trailer and that it can cause damage. When I did this on that first trip it made it so that the door would no open. I jacked it down a bit to fix this issue but it still sat that way for about 3 days.

Now, on my second trip which involved about 600 miles of towing I have returned home to notice severe tire wear/damage on the front tires (double axel). The outside of the tires are worn right down and the tread seems to be waffling and looks as if the tires could blow at any minute if put back on the road. The tires looked great before this long trip.

The other problem is that now, any time I jack it up with the tongue jack, when it gets to a certain height I here a loud bang and the front of the trailer body seems to be buckling. I literally see separation of the body at the seams. The reason I think some of this damage existed prior to my ownership is that I can see some gobs of silicone/sealant in these same areas that appear to be buckling that does not look like it would be a factory job. Anyway, not sure how important that aspect is as I fear I have further damaged the frame with my jacking/leveling but I am concerned that this now happens when properly using the tongue jack.

Now my question. How bad are things for me? I am in Southern California and need to find a shop that can examine and hopefully fix frame damage on a trailer I guess. Can anyone recommend such a shop? What kind of cost would be associated with a fix like this? I can't imagine it would be cheap. Does this seem to be the problem given my description?

Thanks for any help/advice.
Seeking Advice

10 Replies

  • Weldon's avatar
    Weldon
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2014
    I cannot add much to what has been suggested already.... other than I don't think you did any damage on your outing and use of the jacks. If there is a problem it was already there due to the excess silicone you mentioned.
    Perhaps you need to trade it in on another????
  • bg23's avatar
    bg23
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2014
    Thank you all that replied to my post. I appreciate all of the opinions and information. I agree that a thorough inspection should be done but I wanted to run the symptoms past you all to get some insight.

    Thanks
  • super_camper's avatar
    super_camper
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2014
    I would visit a reputable RV dealer and be specific on what you want inspected or done. I know our local RV dealer would provide an honest response.

    Lost of opinions on the cause from previous posters but there is no information to go on until it is inspected.

    BTW: I wouldn't use it until a thorough inspection is done.
  • Beaker's avatar
    Beaker
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2014
    any modern RV trailer built today has inadequate chassis under them,


    How about a 12 year old one?

    I recently purchased an 18ft, 2002 Thor Wanderer
  • RamTX's avatar
    RamTX
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2014
    You might consider contacting a local company that repairs 18 wheeler trailer frames. Apparently, frame problems are not unique to RVs, so there are such companies. That's what I had to do with my 5er when the frame cracked. So far, so good.
  • HJGyswyt's avatar
    HJGyswyt
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2014
    I highly doubt that your first attempts to level your trailer caused lasting problems. I try to level my trailer side to side by backing onto homemade wooden ramps I carry and then front to back using the tongue jack. That said, I've been in some screwy situations and have on numerous occasions used my scissor jacks to the point my wheels were turning free, and I don't think my Forest River trailer frame has ever been damaged.

    As you noted, though it is possible to wrack the whole trailer, but don't think for a minute this hasn't happened crossing rail road tracks or pulling in and out of gas stations. My guess is your axle is bent and needs to be re-straightened. I had my axles realigned right on the trailer when I had the same kind of wear after the front axle lost it camber.

    What scares me is the front of your trailer sounds like it may have dry rot or structural failure in the front if it's moving independent of the frame. I would be highly suspicious of the the prior owners motive for trading it off and the dealer for selling it if they knew it had problems. I do hope you didn't buy some one else's problems, but hopefully you can locate an honest service person to help you figure out what's going on. I would not take the blame because of your previous leveling experience. All the best, Hans
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2014
    If you hear or see the evidence that the body is moving in a strange manner, you certainly need some repair. Any good frame shop can add some steel and fix your issues. You will also want the shop to look at your axles, it sounds like at least one is bent.
  • JJBIRISH's avatar
    JJBIRISH
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2014
    This is simple… any modern RV trailer built today has inadequate chassis under them, and it doesn’t mater if it is built by Lippert, Dexter, or in-house… the frame rails have little structural integrity, the cross members even less… so little the frame rails must be cambered just to hold the weight of the box built on top of them without sagging…

    To be marketable they need to be light weight, and for the manufactures they must be CHEAP…

    Then most users overload, misuse, or abuse them far beyond their intended design… it wouldn’t matter if it is a 16 foot or a 36 foot trailer… they are all just barely capable of carrying the load they are rated for and then only if and when the load is distributed correctly… remember all the weight is being carried by just a few feet of the chassis near the center and the ball coupler at the very front…

    Your use of the jacks is proof of this, but it impossible to say that is the cause of your problem… its fair to say it didn’t help it… chances are good there was some damage done before… your door sticking is a sign, but it was done under static conditions without any of the dynamic stress caused by misuse and bad physical load distribution while in motion…

    I would suggest you have someone very qualified inspect your frame… how you find that someone is the golden question… most likely that won’t be a dealer, and many weld shops are more interested in selling the job… but they are out there…

    Good luck, I hope your problem turns out to be a minor inconvenience and not a major repair… it is something to be concerned about…
  • Water-Bug's avatar
    Water-Bug
    Explorer II
    Aug 13, 2014
    It is fairly unusual for there to be extensive frame damage to small trailers. The reason being that there usually isn't enough excessive weight to stress the frame. I really doubt that your leveling efforts caused the problem. They may have accelerated an existing problem.
    That said, I can't help you with a local repair shop. Good luck !!!
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Aug 13, 2014
    Call McBride's in Chino. Top shelf. (909) 627-7566

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