Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning - Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance

Topic: Chassis crack

Daver1

22/5/2011 at 9:20pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Abby cambridge

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 03/4/2011

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 56

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Just noticed this a hair line crack about 10 mm long can it be welded

-------------
Dave

adele and mike

22/5/2011 at 9:42pm
Location: yarm teesside
Outfit: bailey senator 5000

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 22/5/2011

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 14

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

no reason why not if its steel, you wou have to clean all traces of galve coating and becarefull of heat starting fires etc,

it the crack is in a high stress area posibly think about having a plate welded over the welded crack for extra strenth

dont forget to fully rust proof after repairs have been done

birder99

23/5/2011 at 9:17am
Location: Cambs
Outfit: Tin tent diddy tent BIG tent

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/9/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1847

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I think I would be more concerned about what caused the crack. There is little point in making a repair if there is an underlying cause for the chassis cracking. It might be worth sending a photo to the chassis manufacturer seeking advice.

-------------
'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'

LegsDownKettleOn

23/5/2011 at 9:43am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 17/10/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2782

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Alko Kober specifically state that the chassis should not be welded. The associated heat could do other damage and weaken it elsewhere. It was heat weakening the steelwork in the World Trade Center that led to it's total collapse. Having said that, a good welder should be able to weld a small crack quickly enough to avoid any significant heat build up provided he is aware of the risk. Welding will invalidate your warranty, but if you have any warranty I assume you would be getting a new chassis from them. Worth checking with alko on warranty as I think the chassis warranty is longer than the manufacturers warranty.

millermicm

23/5/2011 at 11:38am
Location: west country
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 29/3/2009

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4665

Site Reviews Total:	15

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

In theory it should be possible to weld it but I think I would want to know more about it. Is it an Alko chassis, how old is it, why is it there, what caused it and exactly where is it.

-------------
Steve

664DaveS

23/5/2011 at 2:38pm
Location: Shropshire
Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/7/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4383

Site Reviews Total:	55

Site Reviews 2024:	2
Site Reviews 2023:	8
Site Reviews 2022:	6
Site Reviews 2021:	6
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	3
Site Reviews 2018:	4

Site Nights 2024:	16
Site Nights 2023:	55
Site Nights 2022:	54
Site Nights 2021:	56
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	20
Site Nights 2018:	41

The Al-Ko chassis are bolted together so the damaged section should be replaceable.

Like previous posters I would want to know why it has cracked.

-------------
DS-There's more to life than football!!!

Opensauce

23/5/2011 at 2:47pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4530

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

From previous threads I think we are talking about a 20odd yr old caravan here. If you can get it welded cheap, do it. You do however need a good welder who knows what he is doing. Keep a check on the repair, if it cracks again, scrap caravan.

Daver, if you want meaningful help you do need to supply more detail in your posts.

Daver1

23/5/2011 at 7:52pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Abby cambridge

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 03/4/2011

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 56

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Thanks it's a 1994 the crack is were the a frame at the front runs straight. Down the length of the frame on the bend

-------------
Dave

Opensauce

23/5/2011 at 8:05pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4530

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

All I can say Dave, is find a competant welder. Your local garage may do it. They will need to grind into crack & fill with weld. It may hold or the weld may crack, worth a try, anyway.

birder99

23/5/2011 at 9:36pm
Location: Cambs
Outfit: Tin tent diddy tent BIG tent

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/9/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1847

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

And when the weld fails on the motorway at 60mph........

-------------
'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'

Opensauce

24/5/2011 at 8:03am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4530

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by birder99 on 23/5/2011
And when the weld fails on the motorway at 60mph........

It won't be that dramatic, it never is. To answer your question, if the weld fails at 60mph on a motorway you wouldn't even notice, the crack in the op's caravan could have been there for yrs & could be there for yrs more if he hadn't noticed.

Obviously a cracked chassis is not ideal but it won't fail on the road. Welding is ok for a temporary fix. Yrs ago we used to weld cracked spring hangers on heavy trucks. Usually cracked again after a few months but it was fine for a temporary repair.

arc systems

24/5/2011 at 8:28am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: http: www.arcsystems.biz

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/12/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4373

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

If this is an ALKO chassis I'll guarantee a weld will very soon crack again, unless the right welding rod is used?

The metal used is high in manganese which is what gives it it's toughness and why it's not recommend to weld it. Ideally then I'd suggest a 13% manganese hard facing rod should be used or a Nickle/Chrome one for dissimilar metals, or at a pinch, a stainless rod.
As said a good welder should know what their doing and have the ideal rod to hand.

Having said that, are you sure it's a crack? unless you can see rust in the crack? I'd first suspect it's just a line in the galvanising, especially as it's running front to back?

LegsDownKettleOn

24/5/2011 at 6:49pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 17/10/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2782

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

As a welder, my opinion is that it can be welded, but whatever caused the crack needs to be rectified.As Gary says, I would use a nickel / chrome welding rod. I would also be inclined to drill a small hole at the end of the crack to relieve the stress and stop it cracking further.

My primary concern would be that the heat build up would put stress elsewhere on the chassis and cause distortion which could potentially lead to long term stresses which could cause cracks to appear elsewhere.

I would also gamble there is a 50% chance that it will simply crack again alongside the weld within a few weeks. Putting a plate over the crack would help avoid this but certainly not eliminate it. If the section could be unbolted and welded in a jig it would be much better, but better yet would be to unbolt the section and replace it.

The odds are it is not going to crack again at 60mph on the motor way, it's going to be as you creep over a sleeping policeman or reverse onto a pitch. There is relatively little stress on the motorway at speed as the motorways are fairly level and even when being passed by a van, the forces are fairly even in comparison to going over a speed bump or uneven ground.

Daver1

24/5/2011 at 7:55pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Abby cambridge

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 03/4/2011

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 56

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Thanks the chassis is one complete part not bits I'm taking it on fri to a fab shop to get it welded and a plate thanks for your advice

-------------
Dave

jeff juke

24/5/2011 at 11:19pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 09/8/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6854

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Your crack could have been caused if the van has been pulled with a jeep without a shock link.Jeeps have a hard suspension and im not talking about a chelsea tractor.I did pull mine with a shock link with the fear of not having one, the vibrations and sudden jolts eg pot holes could cause metal fatiqued..i have read other forums on this subject..

-------------
Animals have feelings..

JEFF................

michael

25/5/2011 at 12:44pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 23517

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

just a thought could it be a folded box section chassis on an older caravan and this line is where it meets after folding? if so there may be weld missing on that line.modern sections of alloy chassis are extruded but they were not always like that..

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

3255 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder