As hard as it was to find parts, now I'm finding it hard to find someone willing to weld two spring perches for my over/under kit.Two automotive shops, one doesn't weld anything, the other insurance won't let us weld suspension components (seems awfully specific)So specialty shop that advertises suspension work, nope we can't work on RVsSo mobile repair guy with a welding truck, nope insurance won't let me work on automotive, but a trailer is not an automobile?Might be faster for me to take night classes and learn to stick weld before i can find / bribe someone into laying some tack welds for me.

Here in CT the state is running a lot of the small repair shops out of business with regulations.

GordonThree wrote:As hard as it was to find parts, now I'm finding it hard to find someone willing to weld two spring perches for my over/under kit.Two automotive shops, one doesn't weld anything, the other insurance won't let us weld suspension components (seems awfully specific)So specialty shop that advertises suspension work, nope we can't work on RVsSo mobile repair guy with a welding truck, nope insurance won't let me work on automotive, but a trailer is not an automobile?Might be faster for me to take night classes and learn to stick weld before i can find / bribe someone into laying some tack welds for me.If you want to bring it down here, I'll weld them here at my shop for you. We to SMAW (stick), MIG, Pulsed MIG (wire) and TIG Tungsten Inert Gas welding. I'm right off US 23 at the 12 mile stick in Michigan and I have a Engine driven Ac/Dc stick machine that fits in my pickup truck for mobile jobs.Cannot be any harder than working on farm equipment in the field.There are a number of campgrounds close by too including a KOA.

Search for mobile welding specalists.

SidecarFlip wrote:GordonThree wrote:As hard as it was to find parts, now I'm finding it hard to find someone willing to weld two spring perches for my over/under kit.Two automotive shops, one doesn't weld anything, the other insurance won't let us weld suspension components (seems awfully specific)So specialty shop that advertises suspension work, nope we can't work on RVsSo mobile repair guy with a welding truck, nope insurance won't let me work on automotive, but a trailer is not an automobile?Might be faster for me to take night classes and learn to stick weld before i can find / bribe someone into laying some tack welds for me.If you want to bring it down here, I'll weld them here at my shop for you. We to SMAW (stick), MIG, Pulsed MIG (wire) and TIG Tungsten Inert Gas welding. I'm right off US 23 at the 12 mile stick in Michigan and I have a Engine driven Ac/Dc stick machine that fits in my pickup truck for mobile jobs.Cannot be any harder than working on farm equipment in the field.There are a number of campgrounds close by too including a KOA.Thank you for the offer. This is part of my problem I guess. I'm sure if I would haul it to a larger city with more options I'd find someone willing to do the work... However, I'm real hesitant to tow it very far (or fast) without the perches welded on. Not sure what would happen if one shifted out of position somehow, but it probably wouldn't be good.

Any suspension/springs shop.....semi truck repair etc

finding a welder | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Aug 22, 2017
People get anal about physical locations today. I don't. You want to come visit, fine. Just bring your politeness along. We have a commercial shop so people are in and out all day long.
hornet28
Explorer
Aug 22, 2017
No problem but what's the big secret? I'd thought if you were anywhere near me I'd offer to weld it. I had pm'd you before asking on the forum but didn't get an answer.
GordonThree
Explorer
Aug 22, 2017
hornet28 wrote:
Gordon Three where in northern Mi are you?

I'd rather not be specific. A very small farming/tourist town on Lake Mich

I haven't given up the search for finding someone local. Don't want to bring in a mobile welder from another town just to have them spend 10 minutes laying down a few small tack welds - that could be part of my problem, the job's too small?
hornet28
Explorer
Aug 22, 2017
Gordon Three where in northern Mi are you?
Johno02
Explorer
Aug 22, 2017
I had to have the aluminum bed frame in our Class A rewelded, it had broken welds in several places. Looks like it had just been spot-welded at the factory, I could have done better with super glue and epoxy. Took the frame to a local company that manufacturers heavy equipment and got it all rewelded. Some of the prettiest welds you have ever seen, each was a masterpiece, and will never break again. the welds looked more like a bead from a calking gun that from a hand welder. So there are still a lot of good welders around, ones that take pride in dooing a good job.
GordonThree
Explorer
Aug 22, 2017
spike99 wrote:
.

If the axle perches are in the same position but on the opposite side of the axle (to flip an axle upgrade), why not install Dexter's "bolt on" kit? For example: - click here -

Note: Do shop around for different sizes and/or selling price.

If wondering, I applied "bolt on" solution to one of my previous trailers - to raise its chassis 4" higher. Bolt on kit worked great.

Hope this helps.

I didn't see a bolt on kit for my axle, I bought the Dexter Over/Under kit for the 2 3/8 axle and it came with weld on perches. How long ago did you buy your kit? I wonder if they changed to weld-on after problems with bolt on suspension components?
boosTT
Explorer
Aug 21, 2017
Find a truck equipment dealer. They weld snow plows all day long.
avoidcrowds
Explorer
Aug 21, 2017
I took mine to an axle shop, to check alignment. Also asked about some unrelated welding on axle, and they said they could to the task, whenever I want to do it. I am in Colorado, so we may have entirely different insurance regulations for our skilled workers.
spike99
Explorer
Aug 21, 2017
.

If the axle perches are in the same position but on the opposite side of the axle (to flip an axle upgrade), why not install Dexter's "bolt on" kit? For example: - click here -

Note: Do shop around for different sizes and/or selling price.

If wondering, I applied "bolt on" solution to one of my previous trailers - to raise its chassis 4" higher. Bolt on kit worked great.

Hope this helps.
Downwindtracke1
Explorer
Aug 21, 2017
The idea to take a class is a good one, you'll have access to a good welding machine.

Yeah, you get some deleted, just shake the dust off you sandals when you leave the place.