Attention: TDR Forum Junkies I was out in Nevada last month supporting radio communications for an offroad race and noticed that the Alaskan camper mounted on my '89 W350 (11,000 GVW)seemed to be rocking unusually close to the front cab. I stopped the rig for a closer look. To my great amazement, the truck frame was broken (and physically separated!)ON BOTH SIDES directly above the axle and midpoint between the rear spring perches.
With the help of my pry bar, steel wedges and numerous 2X4's, I drove the 18 miles through Bullfrog into Beatty, Nevada and employed a welder to put a temporary fix in place so I could get home. Three hours and $150 did the trick.
Several local people watching the repair mentioned that they have seen this identical problem with Dodge 1 ton frames that were used by the local mining companies.
My truck started out life as a cab/chassis. A utility bed was installed by the previous owner and I installed my 30 year old Alaskan over the utility bed. Dodge listed the GVW @ 11,000#. It scales out at 9810# fully loaded (FIVE TONS OF FUN!). I haven't jumped any canyons with it but it spends a lot of time on the dirt roads and 4x4 trails.
I noticed that Dodge punches an oblong hole in the frame at the point where the fracture occurred. An ideas why they could do that?
Has anyone else experienced a broken frame?
Now I need something more permanent. Any suggestions out there in the forum?
1. I was thinking of "boxing" the frame in that area and maybe putting some plates welded on the frame face over the fracture point
2. Would a set of "bladder" type air shocks or springs be appropriate?
Thanks for any suggestions
DesertRat
With the help of my pry bar, steel wedges and numerous 2X4's, I drove the 18 miles through Bullfrog into Beatty, Nevada and employed a welder to put a temporary fix in place so I could get home. Three hours and $150 did the trick.
Several local people watching the repair mentioned that they have seen this identical problem with Dodge 1 ton frames that were used by the local mining companies.
My truck started out life as a cab/chassis. A utility bed was installed by the previous owner and I installed my 30 year old Alaskan over the utility bed. Dodge listed the GVW @ 11,000#. It scales out at 9810# fully loaded (FIVE TONS OF FUN!). I haven't jumped any canyons with it but it spends a lot of time on the dirt roads and 4x4 trails.
I noticed that Dodge punches an oblong hole in the frame at the point where the fracture occurred. An ideas why they could do that?
Has anyone else experienced a broken frame?
Now I need something more permanent. Any suggestions out there in the forum?
1. I was thinking of "boxing" the frame in that area and maybe putting some plates welded on the frame face over the fracture point
2. Would a set of "bladder" type air shocks or springs be appropriate?
Thanks for any suggestions
DesertRat
