I've never been so pissed off
#11
01-22-2009, 12:47 AM
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.
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#12
01-23-2009, 01:48 PM
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.
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#13
01-23-2009, 02:06 PM
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: jackassville (winnipeg, mb)
Posts: 3,280
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.
#14
01-23-2009, 04:10 PM
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?
#15
01-23-2009, 05:13 PM
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: jackassville (winnipeg, mb)
Posts: 3,280
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).
#16
01-24-2009, 01:48 AM
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.
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