gooseneck trailer hitch cracking

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I have this trailer that I use all the time, its about 5 years old and I was noticing way more flex and bouncing than I was used to. Took a look at it and this neck is coming apart, I'm thinking just cut the neck tube out, replace,  strap it and gusset it a little better. I though about replacing the whole neck but don't think its needed here is some pictures of it this. It is a professionally and locally built trailer. Attached ImagesDo not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:I'd carbon arc all the bad welds out, grind clean, and re-weld all the way around with 7018. Let me guess, all the welds were done with Mig?Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:One thing you might want to consider doing, is cut out a couple donuts. To wrap around the tube, and run back onto the C-channel.Here is how I did it when I built my gooseneck adapter. I welded the donuts into the flanges of the 12-inch S-shapes. This will give you more weld volume, and metal volume. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:most likely, there is several builders in this area. all of them use mig. you think just cut the whole tube, (out its all fatigued and out of shape)  and reweld with stick? I'm debating redoing the whole neck with I beam rather than channel it has been used and abused and lasted this long thoughDo not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:i was typing as you posted, that would be a great way to strengthen it up, it just seems the weakest point on the whole set up the way this was built.Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:Might as well replace everything if it's in that bad of shape.There is nothing in the world wrong with Mig, except those kids who build trailers have a tendency to run way to cold. I used Mig to build my gooseneck adapter. I'm a big believer in welding all the way around! Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:CEP, that is the biggest "adapter" I've ever seen!Is it permanent or really an adapter? That's built like a B.S.H. If you ever have problems with that trailer, it will certainly will not be from your adapter-forward!
Reply:It bolts on. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I finally had time to start cutting it out my carbon arc capacity is not good so I used a torch Im deciding wether I should go back in with a tube style like it had or a square adjustable like a bulldog. mine was supposedly adjustable but the pin wallowed out right away and galled itself up.  Attached ImagesDo not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:cep how much more weight does that adapter make it comfortable to haul?Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:I don't really know. I hardly ever weigh anything. I just took this load to California. When climbing the Siskiyou mountains south of Ashland Oregon I could only get up to 53-MPH. Other than the hard pull I didn't feel the weight at all.  Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:If I was doing this repair I would start with cutting off the lower gussets and replacing them with longer ones that go nearly to the bottom of the coupler's upper pipe. Your problem, as I see it, is that you're only welded to the top half of the coupler +/-, and your coupler is extended way out to get over the side boxes. This creates a tremendous amount of torque against a relatively short length of weld. If you look at cep's trailer pics you can see that his beams go almost to the bottom of the coupler, and that's how I like to do them too. By doing that you significantly reduce the leverage which reduces the torque against the welds. I would extend the gussets down to the bottom of the tube, and if you have room, back some too since your coupler is extended so much. That will helpbeef up the upper channels as wellLast edited by welderj; 09-13-2014 at 09:49 PM.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Here's a repair I did, somewhat similar....Check it out.~John
Reply:CEP I would please like to see more of how your adapter works? I am interested how you made the connection to the bumper pull trailer? Just has a side note, do you live in Oregon? I only ask because I live just out side Salem.Esab 253 mig welderHobart 210 mvp w/ C25 gasmiller 225 a/c stick welderO/A torchHF 40 amp plasma cutter
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI don't really know. I hardly ever weigh anything. I just took this load to California. When climbing the Siskiyou mountains south of Ashland Oregon I could only get up to 53-MPH. Other than the hard pull I didn't feel the weight at all.
Reply:Originally Posted by weekendwelder70CEP I would please like to see more of how your adapter works? I am interested how you made the connection to the bumper pull trailer? Just has a side note, do you live in Oregon? I only ask because I live just out side Salem.
Reply:Maybe these will help too. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:im in..i keep saying im going to build one of these for my toyhauler. i like it..the ball bears the weight as well. how do you take it off/on..or does it just stay on therei converted my bumper pull dump trlr to a gooseneck and was the best choice ever...you use the rails on the side of the gooseneck underneath...let the ball carry thewieght and then just bolt it so it doesnt fall apart.
Reply:Originally Posted by dieselbeefhow do you take it off/on.
Reply:WTF does this end??Been subject to the pics of the gooseneck from Sienfeld for a long time now.  Doesn't get any better with age, still sort of a real laugher.  GEEZBy God, I'm a hero if I make something that weighs twice what the truck and trailer weighs, all in one packageAnd the coupon pics are a real bonus.  Welding school is out.Geez guys, get realThere's a real disconnect between "welders" , and builders.  Eiffel Tower woulda sunk in the mud if half you guys had had a shot at building it.  Stinkin  thing woulda weighed half of what China weighs.Now I know, a lot of people here have "built the world", but they didn't design the world, and Thank God For It.  Read the prints, shut up, and go home with your paycheck.  Leave the design to the dooods who know what they're doing."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:its thought provoking tho..id have not done it that way but alot of good ideas
Reply:I was a real ******* when I wrote down my comments.  I sincerely apologize.  Been bugging me for a few days."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammI was a real ******* when I wrote down my comments.  I sincerely apologize.  Been bugging me for a few days.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammI was a real ******* when I wrote down my comments.  I sincerely apologize.  Been bugging me for a few days.
Reply:well I finally got this thing finished up today its taken me forever. I started welding it up and of course started getting porosity in the weld, I had ground the paint back a couple of inches and cleaned up the torch slag but it seems like that happens a lot to me when the weld is important I must change my hold or something. finally got it welded up and the amps and heat I had been running  warped the tube, not much just a little. I fought with it for a while and finally ordered a flex hone that was big enough. honed on it for an hour then decided to start it in and add some force and some heat. hit it at the tight spots with the heat and the  hitch slid right in, probably not right but its together and ready to go back to work.  here is some picks of the gusseting [/ATTACH]Attachment 865371Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.Nice!!