I discussed need for replacing bumper in other threads...soooooo, the welder is here with the replacement, thicker bumper...and he measures to ensure it sticks out evenly from each frame rails....then a FLASH of recognition!!! The 'front to back' frame rails of the trailer (Jayco SLX 264BH) are not set evenly under the trailer...one of the rails is about 4 inches closer to the outside of the trailer than the other...put another way, the driver side rail is set about 8 inches from the outside edge of the trailer, while the passenger side frame rail is set about 12 inches from the outside edgethis is factory....nothing twisted or anythingAny ideas why it's designed that way?

Could the driver side of your trailer be "heavier" than the passenger side? Therefore the weight would be evenly distributed? Just an idea.//KMac

Call Jayco and get the scoop from them....they spec the frames

ctying in with KMAC's thought...that COULD be....the way its designed:front bed--dead in the middle--kitchen, with stove and fridge...driver side--full-size bunks...driver side--bathroom and dinette...passenger sidethis is a no-slide trailer, so THAT can't be the reason...unless maybe just maybe this design is also used on a trailer WITH a slide??? Just thinking out loudsure wish I had a firm grip on the answer of why the frame rails are offset from center

Outside of calling Jayco as already suggested, maybe try and find that model locally and measure it for reference. Stop by the Jayco dealer and ask, maybe take a few measurements on similar or other modelsOther than the center of gravity answer, I'm stumped too.

Jayco makes their own frames and talks about construction here on their blog. If you think about it, the tongue goes back and connects with the frame rails, so in order for the point of the triangle (coupler) to be in the center, the frame rails have to be equidistant from either side.I suspect that there is additional framing that you can't see under the coroplast bottom. Don't overthink it, just have the welder pout the bumper on.

why aren't the frame rails of TT set evenly from the sides?

Fisherman
Explorer
Dec 04, 2020
LOL. Every time I watch that video I see something new that I just shake my head at! Kneeling on the freshwater tank, so it's now collapsed after wards. Floor bolt holes drilled at an angle. Gotta love their clean up and inspection at the end!

How fast can you get the garbage to the curb and sell it.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Dec 04, 2020
Some mentioned engineers or design in this discussion, I don't know where they got the idea that engineering is involved in the building of this level of RV.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Dec 04, 2020
GDS-3950BH wrote:
"why aren't the frame rails of TT set evenly from the sides?"

Having used Amish Craftsmen on a few things in the past reading tape measures and plumb/level/square are not high on their priority list.

Then watch how fast they attach the floor HERE

And that was before they were "acquired" by Thor which I can guarantee did not increase any level of quality be it in materials or actual assembly.

LOL. Every time I watch that video I see something new that I just shake my head at! Kneeling on the freshwater tank, so it's now collapsed after wards. Floor bolt holes drilled at an angle. Gotta love their clean up and inspection at the end!

I can't believe they haven't pulled that video yet.
GDS-3950BH
Explorer
Dec 04, 2020
"why aren't the frame rails of TT set evenly from the sides?"

Having used Amish Craftsmen on a few things in the past reading tape measures and plumb/level/square are not high on their priority list.

Then watch how fast they attach the floor HERE

And that was before they were "acquired" by Thor which I can guarantee did not increase any level of quality be it in materials or actual assembly.
deltabravo
Nomad
Dec 04, 2020
The welder should be installing a hitch while he's there, that way you have a better place to mount a bike rack instead of the bumper.
mobeewan
Explorer
Dec 04, 2020
As long as the frame rails are spaced evenly until they get passed the axles there isn't any problem. As suggested measure the distance from the leaf springs to the outside trailer wall on both sides. If the same everything should be okay. They may have had to offset the frame rail after the axles because of something going through the floor was going to create a problem.
SDcampowneroper
Explorer
Dec 04, 2020
properly built, axles are made with a 1/4 degree camber, 0 to 1/16 degree toe in for alignment. Frame should be square and level in every aspect. Your issue is that the frame is not centered between the body of theunit. Strange. I couldnt guess why its built that way.
BurbMan
Explorer II
Dec 04, 2020
trailernovice wrote:
I was hoping there might be an engineer out there who could provide an explanation...

There is....and he (or she) works for Jayco. As was suggested 10 or 12 times, if you want to know why it's like that, give them a call.
4x4van
Explorer III
Dec 03, 2020
If the bottom of the trailer is covered with coroplast, then perhaps the frame rails are indeed evenly spaced, and what you're seeing that is NOT evenly spaced is just the bumper mount rails sticking out the back? Measure the location of the leaf springs on either side of the trailer; they have to be attached to the actual frame rails.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Dec 03, 2020
trailernovice wrote:
Maybe I haven't been clear....this is a design issue...not a 'manufacturing quality' issue...not a 'it got wrecked, and wasn't repaired properly' issue...not a 'he must have thrown the rig out of alignment' issue..

I was hoping there might be an engineer out there who could provide an explanation...it looks and seems funny to me, but I'm sure there's sound reasoning behind the design

I was hoping that you would answer a few simple questions so we could better understand how this thing could function properly.

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why aren't the frame rails of TT set evenly from the sides?

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