drycamper
09-17-2020, 01:16 PM
2015 21RBSWE with 19,000 miles
Northern Ca. camping trip. Looking back on the day it happened, I remember a sound like hitting a small pothole in the first campground I checked at a mountain lake. While driving to 2nd campground I kept hearing what I assumed was my rear cargo rack (un used), making squeaking noises everytime I went over a pavement crack. After backing into campsite and prepping trailer I notice the problem. I-beam failure at the rear leaf spring bracket. The horizontal leg of I-beam had torn off the beam itself and flipped 180°, and was rubbing on the beam itself. Trailer was lower and rear axle angled towards front wheel. Oh boy!
Short version...... a couple days of driving to cell phone coverage along with a couple emergencies the welder had to deal with finally got me patched up enough to make it down the mountain to his shop. During this time I prepped the the trailer for the welding job by cutting insulation back and lining with aluminum foil to protect against fire. I also discovered the same flaw on the opposite side. A crack in the I-beam just above rear bracket hanger. Engineering issue????? I travel with empty grey and black which are to the rear of cracks. Fresh is in front of axles. I'll travel with 1/2 to full fresh H2o.
Guys at the shop welded cracks and sisters (additional pieces of steel to reinforce cracked area).
Best part of story is I met some great people who fixed me up and got me on my way.
Please crawl under your rigs occasionally with a good light and inspect your frame for potential disasters. I was lucky!
Northern Ca. camping trip. Looking back on the day it happened, I remember a sound like hitting a small pothole in the first campground I checked at a mountain lake. While driving to 2nd campground I kept hearing what I assumed was my rear cargo rack (un used), making squeaking noises everytime I went over a pavement crack. After backing into campsite and prepping trailer I notice the problem. I-beam failure at the rear leaf spring bracket. The horizontal leg of I-beam had torn off the beam itself and flipped 180°, and was rubbing on the beam itself. Trailer was lower and rear axle angled towards front wheel. Oh boy!
Short version...... a couple days of driving to cell phone coverage along with a couple emergencies the welder had to deal with finally got me patched up enough to make it down the mountain to his shop. During this time I prepped the the trailer for the welding job by cutting insulation back and lining with aluminum foil to protect against fire. I also discovered the same flaw on the opposite side. A crack in the I-beam just above rear bracket hanger. Engineering issue????? I travel with empty grey and black which are to the rear of cracks. Fresh is in front of axles. I'll travel with 1/2 to full fresh H2o.
Guys at the shop welded cracks and sisters (additional pieces of steel to reinforce cracked area).
Best part of story is I met some great people who fixed me up and got me on my way.
Please crawl under your rigs occasionally with a good light and inspect your frame for potential disasters. I was lucky!