Think it'll be warranty?

FishOnOne wrote:


The Super Duty doesn't have a hydroformed frame. And the reason the frame bent at that location is because the body and the bed also provide support to the overall truck therefore the gap between the body and bed is the weak link.

The Super Duty is hydroformed and boxed, but only for the front section of the frame (I believe forward of the firewall of the cab). But yeah, where that vehicle bent there is no boxing and I believe that they just stamp out that section of the frame since it's just a C-channel.

As for the busted RAM frame, that's why I didn't entertain buying a RAM until this last frame update where they matched Ford's 50ksi rated steel and 1-upped them by fully boxing the frame for more rigidity. I'm sure Ford will eventually beef up their frame and box it, but I know they're a little hesitant to do that since there's so much aftermarket support around the currently existing frame and this large support is what helps build their customer base.

I might have missed it, but how much weight was on the ball? Still lots of weight behind the axle I would bet.

BenK wrote:
Dangerous

With today's hydroformed frames...they are of higher alloy than the old days and
the hydroforming work hardens the metal alloy

Meaning that 'bending it back' only further fatigues that area...unless they
annealed it, then bent it back...then re-hardened it...which I suspect is highly
unlikely

Busted 'there' because the cab bolted to the frame effectively increases the
frame boxed area around the cab. Ditto the bed...that increased the boxed section
of the frame back there.

So the area where the frame bent/busted is just the frame's boxed
area...AKA stress raiser area, or weakest section

Dangerous and scary that there are folks with these bandaids out there...

The Super Duty doesn't have a hydroformed frame. And the reason the frame bent at that location is because the body and the bed also provide support to the overall truck therefore the gap between the body and bed is the weak link.

.

FishOnOne wrote:
Wow... That tongue on that trailer doesn't look safe either.

X2

Wow, Ben that is crazy... that little bandaid will not stop the crack. He didn't even drill a hole at the end of the crack

These overload situations make our common 200-400 lbs over 2 times per year discussions seem petty.

These guys are overloading by TONS... not hundreds of lbs.

Just for Kicks and giggles....

Here is a Link to a broken Ram 3500 Frame on our very own RV.net site.. posted just a hand full of days ago over in the Truck Camping forum.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

here is how a GM owner fixed a similar failure...

The pickup...



What he uses it for...



The "fix"...guessing he thinks 'good as new'...

ib516 wrote:

Small update to this: guy is back on the road with the same "fixed" truck hauling his camper and trailer in tow :/

Apparently found a local shop that bent it back straight and *supposedly* has it good as new. In one day. That's either really stellar or really fishy.

If this is true, the owner is crazy. I guess he spent a lot of money purchasing the truck and wants to "use it up."

Dangerous

With today's hydroformed frames...they are of higher alloy than the old days and
the hydroforming work hardens the metal alloy

Meaning that 'bending it back' only further fatigues that area...unless they
annealed it, then bent it back...then re-hardened it...which I suspect is highly
unlikely

Busted 'there' because the cab bolted to the frame effectively increases the
frame boxed area around the cab. Ditto the bed...that increased the boxed section
of the frame back there.

So the area where the frame bent/busted is just the frame's boxed
area...AKA stress raiser area, or weakest section

Dangerous and scary that there are folks with these bandaids out there...

Here's what was posted after the picture was posted:


Q: Is that broken frame or just flexing?

A: She broke. Did some research trying to figure out the weight of that slide in. Based on the position of the slides, length, and the vent covers- that's one of the high end Okanagans and the dry weight id 4664lbs. Loaded weight is nearly (roughly) 2000lbs beyond the capacity of that FX4. Then add the tongue weight, passengers, etc. I'd bet I would be pretty close in assuming he was about 4000lbs over.

Then, by the person who posted the picture originally:

Small update to this: guy is back on the road with the same "fixed" truck hauling his camper and trailer in tow :/

Apparently found a local shop that bent it back straight and *supposedly* has it good as new. In one day. That's either really stellar or really fishy.