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Topic: Welding on Frame...... (Read 1201 times) previous topic - next topic

Welding on Frame......

Has anyone ever done any welding on the frame of their Coach? I want to install a Motorcycle Lift.  It requires two, 2" receiver's welded on each side of the existing hitch. 

Any suggestions from anyone that knows about doing this would be appreciated.....

Mike MC Fall

Re: Welding on Frame......

Reply #1 –
Quote
Has anyone ever done any welding on the frame of their Coach? I want to install a Motorcycle Lift.  It requires two, 2" receiver's welded on each side of the existing hitch.

Foretravels suggestions:
Welding Checklist
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Welding on Frame......

Reply #2 –
Thanks Barry,
                        Wow, sounds serious.  I sure don't want to mess up all or any of the electronics.....:-( 

Mike

Re: Welding on Frame......

Reply #3 –
Quote
I sure don't want to mess up all or any of the electronics
Although, I have seen Wayne Musser "Foretravel's Chassis man" do a lot of welding on my coach without these precautions.
He said if you put the ground clamp close to the weld area, you should have no problem.  :o
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Welding on Frame......

Reply #4 –
I have heard about keeping the ground close to the welding. I am chicken,,,,it would be my luck to burn something up for sure!!  Ms Pat is in favor of me scraping the idea! :) If anything goes wrong in the future,,,I know who is going to get the blame for it!  I just have to ask myself,,,is it worth it? :(

Thanks

Mike

Re: Welding on Frame......

Reply #5 –
I am wondering , if the weight of the mc carrier plus the bike would tax the structure of the coach. This could be in the range of 1200 lbs. Thinking big HD.
FT indicated the cause of one members delamination on the sidewalls was due to towing a trailer with heavy tongue weight.
With that said ,what would FT OK as safe tongue weight for the structure.
As for welding, a grinding wheel to clean a spot to ground the welder to very near the weld being made SHOULD not be a problem with the electronics...your results may vary.....
Gary & Sharon Karnes
1999 295 WTFE 3600

Re: Welding on Frame......

Reply #6 –
Gas welding does not need electronics disconnected.

Re: Welding on Frame......

Reply #7 –
When I was at FOT, they welded on my hitch without disconnecting anything.
Michael Baldacchino
'97 40' U320

Re: Welding on Frame......

Reply #8 –
Hi Mike,
  What did you have done to your hitch that required welding?
Raymond & Babette Jordan
1997 U 320
1998 Ford Explorer XLT

Re: Welding on Frame......

Reply #9 –
Wow, that was fast!  Was just going to go back and make sure I stayed on topic, and my reply to someone was gone. (Edit - think I may have gotten threads confused)

About the welding thing - there are welders and they are those who think they are welders.  Make sure you find one in the first group.  You don't necessarly need one who is certified, but you do need one who is good.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Welding on Frame......

Reply #10 –
I tried to turn around in a parking lot on a narrow road that had a big crown.  The parking lot was sloped, so when I came back out onto the road with the front wheels on the crown and the back wheels on the shoulder, the hitch mount contacted the driveway.  I stopped immediately and raised the rear end, but the damage was done.  It was tilted up a little and part of the welds at the front end opened up a little.

They re-welded it.
Michael Baldacchino
'97 40' U320

Re: Welding on Frame......

Reply #11 –
Pat, has Jeff S. told you of my welding prowess? Third time's a charm! I'm part of the second group, but I'm cheap.

Not too good for frames or hitches.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Welding on Frame......

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
Pat, has Jeff S. told you of my welding prowess? Third time's a charm! I'm part of the second group, but I'm cheap.

Not too good for frames or hitches.

I know a guy who went to college to become a certified welder.  He had welding experience and thought he was good.  After looking at some of his work, they told him that he could not make it in their program and that he should not try to pawn himself off as any type of welder.  He had previously worked in various truck shops and in a body shop and some of his work is going up and down the highways.
1994 U225
build #4514