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Frame is Sagging! - Bent?

redramer
Explorer
Explorer
Greetings
Been noticing a "sag" down the siding of my 25' TT for a couple of years now, so today I decided to measure the deflection and here is what I got.
Pass side tubular frame is 7/8" off at the equalizer hanger of the dbl axle
Driver side frame is 1/2" off at the same spot.
It's easy to see that the "wow" is centered at the equalizer hanger for the double axle and that the frame is slowly bending over probably every time I hit a big bad bump. There is no obvious buckling in the frames and the wow is worse for about 3-4 feet both sides of the spring extremities.

This unit is 11 years old and doesn't even show damage anywhere inside or out. We really like the unit and want to keep it, so I'm thinking of getting it fixed and hope others here might add some expertise to my idea.
I'm thinking having a welding shop slide/jam/insert another either tube frame or maybe I-beam into my tube frame maybe for 3-4 feet past the outer spring hangers.
I understand that the frame might have had a negative "bow" in it at factory to compensate for the weight, and I don't think I'll ever get that back, but I think if the shop can get the frame straight at least, then seeing as it's sagging now with no damage, at least straight it should do for another 11 years!
Any comments / experience would appreciated.
'97 Dodge Diesel - 650k-klicks+, 26' Citation, solar, love boondockin'... I've been everywhere-man...
5 REPLIES 5

MM49
Explorer
Explorer
Better trailers of that era used a spring perch carriage. The carriage was 3/8 thick metal frame that extended between the two spring mounts. The longer trailers had spring perches that extended past the rear spring hangers. The perches would strengthen the frame in critical locations. The light wall RV rectangular tube frames did not have camber built into them. The frames were the best that they had back then.
MM49

redramer
Explorer
Explorer
sorry if not clear
I measured the 'BOW" at the equalizer... the inverted "V" shaped metal that connects the front and rear springs on a dual axle trailer. Drew string front to back along bottom of frame and the greatest bow is at the hanger which bolts the equalizer to the frame.
I'd rather keep names out for now as I also sent co. a letter asking for advise.
'97 Dodge Diesel - 650k-klicks+, 26' Citation, solar, love boondockin'... I've been everywhere-man...

mich800
Explorer
Explorer
I think the OP is speaking of the equalizer between the axles where the front and rear spring pack connect. I cannot picture how or where they were taking the measurements.

Oasisbob
Explorer
Explorer
Interesting. Did you buy it new? Ever over load? What are your equalizer bars rated? Yes, make and model please. A good trailer alignment shop could probley fix. Let us know.
Oasis Bob
Wonderful wife 3 of 4 kids at home. 1 proudly serving in USAF
2018 Ford Explorer
2001 Bantam Trail Lite B-19

HAPPY TRAILS:)

myredracer
Explorer II
Explorer II
Make and model? A photo or two would help also.