Broken Weld

[Frankd]

Howdy

Am getting ready for our first outing. Today’s task was to finally install the Progressive Industries HW50C. When getting things ready, I discovered a broken weld

This weld is located on the curb side in the pass thru. I had to remove the panels that line the left side of the pass thru as you view it from the curb side. The location of the broken weld is just beyond where the panel straighten’s out. It isn’t far from where the plumbing goes down to the waste tanks

Should I be worried. Sorry about the rotated picture. I tried to fix it but failed miserably

Added a second picture taken from the curbside passthru opening. The broken weld is located where it looks like a piece of wood is missing

[Country Campers]

Is that a steel weld? A little bigger picture from farther away may help in seeing where this is at.
If it is steel then it would be on the frame of the trailer and could be a structural issue. If it is aluminum maybe not as bad.

Brian

[Cate&Rob]

Hi Frank,

Similar to Brian’s question, I am trying to figure out exactly where this weld is located? It almost looks like a “repair” weld rather than a “production” weld. If you can point me to exactly the right area, I will check my 303.

Rob

[J&G garage]

That looks like a repair on aluminum by someone that doesn't know how to weld aluminum. I find the fact that the joint has opened up a little concerning. That warrants some additional investigation.

[aFugazifan]

Can't offer any insight, but maybe this will help others that can

[Frankd]

Thanks, that is so much better

[Cate&Rob]

Howdy

Am getting ready for our first outing. Today’s task was to finally install the Progressive Industries HW50C. When getting things ready, I discovered a broken weld

This weld is located on the curb side in the pass thru. I had to remove the panels that line the left side of the pass thru as you view it from the curb side. The location of the broken weld is just beyond where the panel straighten’s out. It isn’t far from where the plumbing goes down to the waste tanks

Should I be worried. Sorry about the rotated picture. I tried to fix it but failed miserably

Added a second picture taken from the curbside passthru opening. The broken weld is located where it looks like a piece of wood is missing

Hi Frank,

I turned your pictures upright so that we can see the problem more easily.
I agree with Jim @J&G garage that this looks like an improperly done repair weld.

This is the front end of the main floor aluminum frame. There is little load in this area because the aluminum floor frame is supported by the steel frame cross members underneath at many locations. It is curious that this weld has opened up so far after it was (poorly) welded. This aluminum is extremely thin. It would be difficult for a qualified welder to get a good weld to these original frame pieces without welding on a reinforcing patch/gusset.

Since this is not a part of the steel frame structure of the trailer, I would not be too worried about it. Anybody less than a experienced welder with a TIG machine is likely to make a bigger mess of this by trying to fix it. I would take an accurate measurement of the gap and just keep an eye on it for a while. If there is relative movement (the gap gets wider or narrower) then it needs to be investigated further.

Rob

[Cate&Rob]

Thanks, that is so much better

Hi Frank,

On turning pictures upright . . .

Save the picture to your computer desktop. Open it and either turn it upright or, if it is upright, make a small edit . . . like shrink it a small amount diagonally. Then re-save it to your desktop. It should now post upright from there to the forum. (I have no idea why this works . . . but, it seems to).

Rob

[Justa5th]

Things haven't changed. 2019 303RLS same welder. Its at the dealer now for multiple issues and this is one. I chose to get it documented and specificaly no welding be done to it. My guess is a bracket will be screwed over it.

[Cate&Rob]

Things haven't changed. 2019 303RLS same welder. Its at the dealer now for multiple issues and this is one. I chose to get it documented and specificaly no welding be done to it. My guess is a bracket will be screwed over it.

An aluminum weld (MIG or TIG) should be gas shielded . . . there should be no black soot around the weld .
We are travelling at the moment, but when we get home in a few days, I will open up my 2015 303RLS to see if it is the same.

Rob