Seville 5th Wheel

[THoltz]

Seville 5th wheels, by Crossroads have an overall 3. 5 star rating by RV consumer group. They have aluminum framed sides, floor, ceiling , front and rear ends. I was surprised that the frame is bolted together and not welded. I want to say that bolted framing is inferior to welding, but I have no technical basis for this. Has anyone had any experience with this type of construction? I am hopeful that some of the more experienced RV'ers out there will weigh in on this. Thanks!

 

[mberry]

I can only share this. As a former aircraft mechanic, there aren't any parts on the aircraft I have seen or worked on that are welded. If it's not machined, it's machined then bolted together. If it's composite, it's bolted on also. It wouldn't bother me at all personally.

As long as it's done properly, a bolted together assembly is just as good as welded, and is better in some applications. It also probably allows for a little more flex which would reduce the chances of cracking due to fatigue in my opinion.

 

[jelag]

Almost all aluminum that's welded has a working strength and working load of about 60% of the base metal around it... . so to get an aluminum welded part up the working strength of the base metal around it means a weld that is about 2'x the normal size and usually 2 or 3 passes... . and than there can be fractures and other issues... .

So on important stuff its not done... .

 

[THoltz]

Very good info fellas. I do appreciate it.