I've never been so pissed off

[allan5oh]

Where do I start? I have an 06 East stepdeck, all aluminum.

Took my trailer to Fort Garry Industries here in Winnipeg, to get a box installed. Good price on the box.

Told the manager very specifically how I wanted it installed. Two brackets welded to the bottom of the deck. Can't install to main beam because it's an aluminum trailer. He seemed to understand why.

Pick my trailer up, guess what? Eight bolts right through the main beam right near the bottom of the S curve. I guess they missed the stickers, and my ****ing warning. Who the hell does that?

I'll get pictures tomorrow. Took it to the local East dealer to fix it up, and hopefully it is fixable. If not, they owe me major.

Even if it is fixable, I feel the trailer has dropped in value probably 10k. Nobody would want to buy it. I went over the entire trailer very carefully looking for any cracks or signs of repair when I bought it for this exact reason.

[fdmax]

Man thats messed up, i'd say they owe you, big time.
My frame is steel, but you can't do that with aluminum.

[Fredog]

I hope you got a work order with your instructions on it

[rank]

Where do I start? I have an 06 East stepdeck, all aluminum.

Took my trailer to Fort Garry Industries here in Winnipeg, to get a box installed. Good price on the box.

Told the manager very specifically how I wanted it installed. Two brackets welded to the bottom of the deck. Can't install to main beam because it's an aluminum trailer. He seemed to understand why.

Pick my trailer up, guess what? Eight bolts right through the main beam right near the bottom of the S curve. I guess they missed the stickers, and my ****ing warning. Who the hell does that?

I'll get pictures tomorrow. Took it to the local East dealer to fix it up, and hopefully it is fixable. If not, they owe me major.

Even if it is fixable, I feel the trailer has dropped in value probably 10k. Nobody would want to buy it. I went over the entire trailer very carefully looking for any cracks or signs of repair when I bought it for this exact reason.

Good luck with that one I'm sorry to say.

[allan5oh]

allan5oh - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[Snowman7]

Even if it is fixable, I feel the trailer has dropped in value probably 10k. Nobody would want to buy it.

I agree. I would be extremely po'd. This might require a lawsuit before its all settled.

[heavyhaulerss]

Some folks cannot follow directions. your special instructions should of been highlighted in bold & the mgr should of been out on the floor when the process first began to make absolutely sure this could not happen. I have had dropped my truck off at times & left specific instructions on certain things & it is over looked 2 out of 5 times.. & it is alway the same thing.. hope you can find a resolution to this.. good luck

[YerDaddy]

I think you'll be fine.

What is a hole? Two opposing 180° arches! An arch is self supporting. The Romans knew that.

How do you fix a crack? You drill a hole at each end of the crack to terminate it. Then you weld it.

It would have been nice to have an East dealer do it to null any warranty issues.

I don't like the brackets they made. They should have bent the flanges 90° with a brake press instead of welding flanges on.

Was that itty bitty box even worth putting on? How many rolled up straps will fit in?

[allan5oh]

That's about the only box I can fit up front. Out back is getting 24 deep 18 high mounted below the sliders.

[lowrange]

I hope you got a work order with your instructions on it

And, the implication here is that Allan5oh was negligent for not having his instructions written down. But then, who ever gives instructions to a shop that are written down. Nobody. You tell a guy in management who looks reasonably intelligent what you want, face to face- he gives every indication that he understands- that's all you ever do.

Sometimes O/Os are quick to turn things around so that we're ascribing to each other all the blame because we didn't do things as they should be done in some mythical, perfect world. Or, perhaps that's exactly what you would have done, you'd have written down your instructions before you explained them!? Really?

[Shnerdly]

I know it's extremely frustrating when someone you hire to do a job for you can't follow the simplest of instructions. I had it happen to me many times.

I don't mean to sound like a know it all but I've spent a lot of time working in various repair shops over the years. Looking at the pictures, it appears that they drilled all of the holes in the "web" of the frame rail which shouldn't affect the integrity of the frame. All of the warning stickers I have seen say not to drill in or weld to the "flange" of the frame rail. The flange is the top and bottom horizontal portions of the frame. An example would be on your tractor where the drive axles and 5th wheel are attached to the frame. There shouldn't be any holes drilled vertically through the frame flanges. They should all be drilled horizontally through the web at least an inch from the radius of the bend.

I would still take it to East and have them inspect it as you have said but I don't expect they will find a problem with the installation at least not based on what I see in the photos. I would also continue seeking an adjustment from the installer for not following the specific instructions you gave them.

If East does consider there to be a problem with the installation, I would be very interested to know the details of their conclusions for future reference. I'm always up to learning something new.

[specialkay]

I'm with you Shnerdly after I read this post I paid attention to a few aluminum trailers and quite a few of them had holes drilled in the web to mount landing gear and so forth. Also I've only seen warnings not drill the flanges. Even that is a little hokey though as East/Benson/Mac all mount their suspension hangers with bolts/rivets through the flanges which is exactly what they say not to do.

[allan5oh]

On mine it specifically says "DO NOT DRILL, WELD, OR MODIFY MAIN BEAM"

Holes aren't a problem, but making holes after the trailer is welded together is. In fact, they do not drill at the factory they punch. This stops stress risers.

That's what the East engineers said. They also said it should be ok because the holes are small and more then 3" from the flanges. They are concerned that it is close to the S-frame however.

Apparently I do have lots of time, the laws around here are pretty good for this kind of stuff. To say "the situation is under control" is an understatement. I have done my homework.

[Fredog]

And, the implication here is that Allan5oh was negligent for not having his instructions written down. But then, who ever gives instructions to a shop that are written down. Nobody. You tell a guy in management who looks reasonably intelligent what you want, face to face- he gives every indication that he understands- that's all you ever do.

Sometimes O/Os are quick to turn things around so that we're ascribing to each other all the blame because we didn't do things as they should be done in some mythical, perfect world. Or, perhaps that's exactly what you would have done, you'd have written down your instructions before you explained them!? Really?

when I had my truck worked on last week, the service manager wrote a work order with my request on it. they didnt set the jake like I asked, I showed him the work order and they took it back in and did it, no charge. cya, thats all I'm saying.. If I wanted it done a certain way, YES I would make sure it was in writing. live and learn

[allan5oh]

It wouldn't have made any difference writing down how to mount it. First, they're a trailer shop they should know how to mount it. Second, they didn't follow the instructions I gave them anyways(both verbal and written down).

[Red Clay Rambler]

But then, who ever gives instructions to a shop that are written down. Nobody. You tell a guy in management who looks reasonably intelligent what you want, face to face- he gives every indication that he understands- that's all you ever do.

I write or print work needed on paper anytime I have a vehicle worked on, tractor, passenger car, motorhome, whatever. Basically I write my own work order and give it to them. Of course the one that I write and give to them is more detailed than theirs.

[TomB985]

Alan, what did the East dealer have to say about it?