Community Forums

Ruditudes · 03-09-2019, 02:27 PM

I have seen where some people are welding extra support to the spring hangers on their fifth wheels and pull behind campers. Planning on taking my Grand Design 230RL to Alaska this summer. Should I be considering doing this? Any body out there have experience with hanger issues?

mobilemike · 03-09-2019, 02:29 PM

If you had your own welder and knew how properly weld Then I would say go for it.

Cumminsfan · 03-09-2019, 05:45 PM

I think GD already puts some extra angle iron above the spring hangers. IIRC they lay it flat on the top of the web, unlike others that stand it vertically up front bottom flange to the top flange. It's a tossup as to who does what.

From my observations looking at GD 150 series 5th wheels I'd be more worried about the thin light weight components. I don't think adding or changing the bracing will help much.

Halwiseguy · 03-09-2019, 06:13 PM

Weakest point is the bottom of the I beam frame . The flange will twist at the attachment point of the four spring hangers . I welded a 6'long6"x3"x3/8" angle to the frame to straighten the bent frame After 10K mi. trip all is well. I relief cut the angle to give tire more room in case of side movement

Halwiseguy · 03-09-2019, 06:25 PM

More pics

CIDE · 03-09-2019, 08:47 PM

I saw a video with the camera mounted under a frame rail, pointing lengthwise along the sides of the spring hangers. I was surprised how much they flex side to side. That video was advertising bars that run across the width of the frame connecting the right side spring hangers to the left side. They look to be very effective. Sorry but I don't remember the name or mfr of them.

Halwiseguy · 03-09-2019, 11:17 PM

If you look close and see the 4 silver looking bolts , that's where the cross bar is located I suppose one can make one out of some sort of round steel tube stock/ I would not use 3//4 " pipe thou too soft / and 1/8 " flat stock for the ends ,measure across minus the thickness of the mounting flat stock if the center spring support is level on both sides , drill mounting hole holes and install . good luck . Hal.