HELP! My Trailer Frame Just Broke!!

[camper1b]

YIKES!!

When I was under the camper, (2000 Sunnybrook 26DB), I noticed the shackle that attaches the spring to the frame has come apart from the frame! The shackle has flipped around and the frame is sitting directly on the spring end. What do I do now?! I guess I'll tow it to my local Sunnybrook dealer tomorrow and see what they think. No other damage to the undercarriage. We are leaving on our 7 week dream trip around the country in 2.5 weeks! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I'll post picture if I can figure out how.

[camper1b]

YIKES!!

When I was under the camper, (2000 Sunnybrook 26DB), I noticed the shackle that attaches the spring to the frame has come apart from the frame! The shackle has flipped around and the frame is sitting directly on the spring end. What do I do now?! I guess I'll tow it to my local Sunnybrook dealer tomorrow and see what they think. No other damage to the undercarriage. We are leaving on our 7 week dream trip around the country in 2.5 weeks! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I'll post picture if I can figure out how.

[camper1b]

Here are pictures....

This is the broken one.....



And for reference, here's the good one on the other side...

[Hitchhiker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">What do I do now?! I guess I'll tow it to my local Sunnybrook dealer tomorrow and see what they think. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

From studying your photos, it looks like taking it to a good welder or have one who's mobile come to you would be your best course of action. I'd suggest a close inspection of the other three too. The welder may need to weld on some plates along side the shackle supports to give the joint more strength.

Two or three years ago another member with a brand new Sunnybrook reported having a similar problem. You may want to send member "Sunny" a PM and he might tell you about his experience with getting his fixed.

[vaughn]

The very same thing happened on a box frame fiver we used to have. We were enroute to Az. and I discovered the problem when we were 25 miles from Eureka, Ca. We limped into a welding shop there and they just welded it back in place. It make the rest of the round trip to Az and back to Oregon OK, but when we got home I welded short pieces of 1 inch angle iron to both sides of each spring shackle to add to the area of the box frame that connected to the shackle. It held fine for the remaining couple years we used that particular trailer.

Vaughn

[gmachine]

Looks like your frame tube is MUCH too thin. Weld does not appear to be deficient, just ripped out the bottom flange. Maybe this is how Sunnybrook keeps their units light. Scares me!
Frame should be "capped" at all spring mtg. locs. and hangers rewelded to this strengthened area.
S'brook should pay. Should have alignment after CORRECT repair.
Good Luck, Jim

[camper1b]

Quick update. (I'll post pictures at the conclusion). Sunnybrook IS paying!! They are air freighting me a kit which consists of a saddle that goes around and is welded to the frame with the sping shackle already attached. I am very pleased so far with Sunnybrook's response to this. I understand that, with the 2003 model year, they changed the design of the spring shackle mounting and it's now a lot beefier. I'll keep you updated.

[CD]

Is Sunnybrook going to replace all of them or do you have wait for them to break?

[camper1b]

OK. It's fixed! And Sunnybrook is picking up the tab! I'm pleased that, even though the camper is 6 years old, they are standing behind their product. Although, it is admittedly a crappy design.

The welder could not use the kits that Sunnybrook sent. The hangers were too long and they would not be even with the others, (as someone else said). Also, the upper leaf on the kit hits directly at a cross member of the frame. He would have had to cut the cross member or try and notch out the leaf. Neither are acceptable alternatives. He just went ahead and fixed it like he would for any other chassis he fixes for this type of thing. Since the other side was cracked also, we did both sides. The total cost was $300 plus tax. It was all done in my driveway.

Here are some pictures....



Thanks to everyone for the inputs. I've never had to deal with something this critical. (Especially coming 2 weeks before our big trip). Later.

[charliez]

This is why I keep my own welder on hand. They are really not that expensive, and with some practice, you could have done this yourself for about $5.

[camper1b]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by charliez:
This is why I keep my own welder on hand. They are really not that expensive, and with some practice, you could have done this yourself for about $5. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks. That's good advise. However, at least in my case, it would have cost me more because Sunnybrook picked up the whole tab!

Later.

[robertsonthego]

Are those pictures of the completed job?? I only see the frame bracket welded in two places, one in the front and on on the back. The weld on the back looks very pitted, could be just an optical illusion, but if it is that weld is not safe. I have made several repairs like this in my career and would have stitched welded all around the bracket and the spring bracket. Good luck to you but I would get it checked by another "certified" welder. Just my opinion. John

[Jim & Marlene]

I had the same thing happen to me a few months ago. I have a 2001 Seahawk (Gulfstream) 5ver. I think the 2 blowouts I had previously on that same side weakened the bracket. Gulfstream paid for my repairs too. Did you have any flat tires prior to your shackle failure??

[partsman01]

I too wondered about the quality of the welds, they do not look as nice as some I have seen.