baqsed on info given to me by a mechanical engineer ,aluminum based on its physical properties has a limited numbner of cycles before it fails.I have had the tongue of my aluminum trailor crack at the junction of the main crossbrace approximately two thirds down its length .The company had a replacement tongue so I bought it .(the warrenty had run out.)The replacement had more strength in its new design than the original which leads me to assume that they eventually realized that rtheir original design was weak.Today an L shaped bracket which connects the left rear corner of the trallor together broke while traveling a highway speed.Even though the trailor was made by one of the popular aluminum trailor manufacturers my engineer friend suggests that anyony using an aluminum trailor should look for any signs of metal fatigue at high stress points especially if the trailor has a lot of miles on it or has some age to it.JUST A HEADS UP!!!!!
Two questions:
How old was your trailer and who made it? I have an all aluminum snowmobile trailer made by Triton and it sure looks solid. I was told that when you can see fatigue with the naked eye it is already too late. It happens that fast.
Thanks for the heads up, Grandpap. Welcome to Catsailer.com
ALL metals will fatigue from repetive cycle loading. They just have to be designed to keep from flexing too sharply either through beefier materials or additional structure to put the number of cycles required for failure well outside it's expected life span. Some metals will take cycle stresses better than others. I've seen some of those aluminum trailers have problems and I've seen some that have lasted for 10's of years. Regardless, it's always a good idea to closely inspect your trailer for stress cracks - though aluminum trailer owners should look more often.
Thanks - Got a 80's Trailex a few years ago I have been replacing all the steel bolts since it spent time in salt air -nice they are all available and come in a couple days. I'll have to look for cracks- the hitch is very rusty and I'm overdue to replace it but it has some frozen bolts I need to cut-- UGH-. It is so much lighter than my old steel trailer I can move it by myself.
John
Calcheck if you want an easy way to cut off those bolts and have access to a sawsall (reciprocating saw) go to Home Depot (or anywhere they sell Milwaukee tools/accessories and look for a white rectangular shaped metal cutting blade called “The Torch”. I had to trim the length of about 100 3/8” diameter Red Head concrete anchors and this blade went thru them like “butta” and that was with just a cheap 18 volt Ryobi Battery powered sawsall. One blade…100 easy cuts…well worth the money…
Regards,
Bob
Thanks - that sounds a lot easier than using the hacksaw or the dremmel tool with a cutting wheel.