Extending a short bed frame

It's one thing to talk about it. It's one thing to watch a youtube video about it.

It's a whole other thing to go out there and do it RIGHT, getting adequate penetration, without overheating the metal, and/or creating stress risers where the frame will eventually crack and break.

Most anybody can dingleberry weld a couple of pieces of scrap together, but to weld up a frame that you're depending on holding together while you drive down the road at 65MPH hauling 5000lbs of cargo takes some skill and know-how.

Not to mention the liability issue. Anybody attempting that had better be certified with lots of insurance.

People have been repairing, shortening, lengthening truck frames for as long as there have been trucks. Some have probably failed, most have probably done the job. Brand new large HD trucks have their frames lengthened, shortened depending on what gets mounted to them. It just needs to be done correctly.

Mark

MARKW8 wrote:
People have been repairing, shortening, lengthening truck frames for as long as there have been trucks. Some have probably failed, most have probably done the job. Brand new large HD trucks have their frames lengthened, shortened depending on what gets mounted to them. It just needs to be done correctly.

Mark

But unlike the coddled masses they did it differently (Like most TC's do their thing !! I once stretched a chevy s10 ext cab into a crew cab long bed it lasted over 300 thousand miles untill my son totaled it .

When I was a kid in the late 50's early 60's, my aunt worked at a place called the Shop of Siebert that cut new Cadillacs and Lincolns into two pieces, then added a center section to make hearses, ambulances, and limos. They welded frame pieces to make the stretch, and put all that additional weight onto them. I guess they had some pretty good welders back then.

romore wrote:
Not to mention the liability issue. Anybody attempting that had better be certified with lots of insurance.

I always enjoy reading threads like this. It's not rocket science folks. There are a lot of very capable people doing repairs/mods, etc all the time. I offer up that most people that dig into a project such as that discussed here, have a knowledge and skill base a bit beyond the person who hires someone to change a light bulb, change their oil, build their house.

Granted, most people at home depot probably shouldn't be. But they haven't usually acquired the tools and where with all to even get a truck stripped to the frame. Different levels of general skill. Welding is a skill. It's an art. But it's really common too.

Certified??? Lot's of insurance?? unless it's a business, I suggest not. Seriously, when is the last time you found a requirement for a "certified welder" in a frame and body shop???

Reality Check and a couple of others made some very valid points. I will add, a wise person would not judge the skills of others based on tier own.

The couch nay sayers never cease to amaze me.

Several times I've brought up my better idea of stretching my trailer tongue instead of using a long hitch extension. It's undeniably superior, but someone usually brings up engineering and what is and isn't factory designed for what.
I'll be honest, I often have to "ban" myself for occasional time-outs from this message board because I get frustrated by people having such a store-bought mentality about everything. I'm an old school, hands on, fabricate and build it type. The things I build don't break.
My buddies and I build hot rod and show cars. We weld frames all the time.
It really ISN'T rocket surgery. If you have any experience with metal, you know what's strong enough and what isn't. Chances are guys who modify stuff will make it even stronger than the factory did. I always do.

Oh... sorry.... I think I'm on a rant... shutting up now.

burningman wrote:
Several times I've brought up my better idea of stretching my trailer tongue instead of using a long hitch extension. It's undeniably superior, but someone usually brings up engineering and what is and isn't factory designed for what.

The only problem I see with that (because I've thought of doing the same thing) is that the trailer tongue might hit the bottom of the camper if you go through a deep dip, like out of a driveway or something. Other than that, I agree, it would be a better idea.

BTW, I converted my trailer from surge brakes to electric, which involved cutting off the actuator and welding on a new coupler. So, people might want to stay clear when they see me on the road. ;)

It would have to be a really deep dip (depending on length of over hang of course.) I have a trailer with a custom built extended tongue to attach directly to the receiver with the camper mounted. Each situation is different but I have no issues.



The image below is a close-up that appears a little deceiving (the BO jack is not that close.) Interpolate the departure angle and you see how steep a dip it would need to be. It works for me... YMMV.