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Topic ClosedBroken Welds on Floor Joists - Next step

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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Broken Welds on Floor Joists - Next step
    Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 11:58am
Originally posted by mjlrpod

Actually, I saw a post from john mirucci stating his 179 floor was sagging, with no water damage at all. The problem was absolutely no support under about a 4 foot run of flooring. 

That doesn't sound good. Can't find that member name on this forum, was that here or somewhere else?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 11:52am
Actually, I saw a post from john mirucci stating his 179 floor was sagging, with no water damage at all. The problem was absolutely no support under about a 4 foot run of flooring. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 8:17am
+2
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 8:07am
+1
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 7:30am
I don't believe that there is any evidence to support floor sagging unless there is also water damage. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.  Based on that and observation of the floor construction I think that water intrusion is the root cause not broken welds. The plywood and the adhesives used to create the floor sandwich are integral to the integrity of the floor structure, so don't let it get wet. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 7:12am
Okay, your sources of information have given you additional cases that I had not seen. I do keep an eye on my RPod as the last thing I want is for it to start falling apart on me. I have had some leak problems (check my mods and you will see. The water heater one was one that was challenging to find), but I think I have them all resolved now. I know the floor issue for a water damaged and sagging floor was broken welds. That same topic also mentioned the slide-out mechanism dropping also which make sense because that mechanism is in the floor, not in the walls like the Schwintek mechanism in the current RPods.  The other, IIRC, was a broken rear cross-member from putting too much weight on the rear receiver (bicycle rack).  These are the only topics with broken welds in the last 6 months.

I think adding at least a couple of supports would be a good idea so I will likely be trying to find a place that can do that. Meanwhile, I will be keeping an eye on things to make sure I don't see any signs that the floors might be sagging.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 6:24am
Originally posted by StephenH

This is only the second issue of broken welds related to the frame. One was the Lippert frame. This was the floor. They  are two separate issues. The broken weld I experienced was on a Lippert axle which is a completely different type of issue. I'm not sure I would say that they are becoming a common issue. However, if it does happen, it is a serious problem.

Actually second within a month dealing with floor welds and from this group. I belong to several other and the FR related weld issue is coming up frequently now (more than wished for). Close an eye to the signs if so inclined Stephen or take preventive action (again, if so inclined).

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2020 at 6:21am
Originally posted by StephenH

This is only the second issue of broken welds related to the frame. One was the Lippert frame. This was the floor. They  are two separate issues. The broken weld I experienced was on a Lippert axle which is a completely different type of issue. I'm not sure I would say that they are becoming a common issue. However, if it does happen, it is a serious problem.


*1

Floor failure and frame failure are completely different. Manufacturer, fab techniques, materials, and causes of the two types of failure are all different. 

There is one thing in common though. Both are the end result of FR's quest to minimize cost and weight of their products. That is what they rightly believe their customers want from them. If you want a better built, heavier, more expensive trailer there are several excellent options out there. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jul 2020 at 4:12pm
This is only the second issue of broken welds related to the frame. One was the Lippert frame. This was the floor. They  are two separate issues. The broken weld I experienced was on a Lippert axle which is a completely different type of issue. I'm not sure I would say that they are becoming a common issue. However, if it does happen, it is a serious problem.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jul 2020 at 3:55pm
Broken welds or welds failing is becoming a common issue. Adding out riggers to the frame to help support the outer walls is becoming more apparently needed. 

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