Accident Update 5/24 home again

[Shadow Catcher]

Yesterday I towed CR down to Quality Collision Center in Piqua. Greg the owner spent a couple of hours discussing teardrops in general and his plans for CR which are likely to include replacing the Filon on both sides and the frame on the bent side. He was intrigued that so much could be included.
It is a very good thing to have some one who is OCD working for you. I have never seen a cleaner shop and the cars and boats he is working on are definitely high end. I have confidence that the trailer will be better than when it was new!

[sid]

I used a quick link on my chains instead of an S hook one of them failed and straighten out (it should have been stronger than the chain) and the other one pulled the trailer hitch loop attachment. I will be replacing them with new SS quick links as they rusted.

Do you have a picture of the "quick links"? I think people would want to know exactly what failed and kept the chains from doing their job.

Thanks,
Mark

[Shadow Catcher]

No matter how poor the ones I had they are far superior to S hooks.
I have replaced them with SS better quality.

[sid]

Thank you for the picture... just wanted to be sure everyone knew exactly what you were talking about.

Mark

[canned o minimum]

I got sum "S" hooks... they are rated fer 5,000lbs EACH ! That oughta be good enuf,eh ? Got em at the trailer supply store nearby.. Was difficult bendin the ends around the chain, but a 20 ton press did the job...

[Shadow Catcher]

So were both of the quick links, and it straightened one out stripping the threads doing it. Made in Malaysia probably has something to do with that. I worked in test labs much of my NDT career and in most cases they had a tensile testing machine and I know what this should have been able to handle. The quick link was supposed to be good to in excess of 5,000 lbs and I guarantee it was not. This is a case where you get what you pay for, or do you? I do not trust fasteners from the countries with lax enforcement or absence of standards. This is one of the reasons I do not trust much of the electronics from China et.el. that is not UL listed and even then...
You see a great deal of political posturing from the right about reducing government "regulation" and you see companies that have gone around existing regulations. How about counterfeit aircraft parts or...
Just because yo are paranoid does not mean they are not actually out to get you.

[Lancie49]

Do you ppl have 'Rated D Shackles over there ?

http://www.aaametalsuppliers.com/produc ... ackles.htm

[Shadow Catcher]

Ye we have D shackles. Quick links serve the same function and should exceed the strength of the chain.
I was just sent pictures of the repairs/tear-down in progress.

[GPW]

One might resort to the belt and suspenders approach ...TWO chains... .. and some Good links ...
SC, OUCH !!! The pics tell the story ...

[Shadow Catcher]

Got a call from the insurance (a VERY good thing to have) agent and the price tag for repair will be $9,000 and that has been accepted. Deductible is $500. The plan is to have it completed in the next month.

[48Rob]

Wow!

Nothing like having your work exposed for the world to see/judge.

I ask this not to be critical, for I am not, but to learn, as I am always curious...

Do you see anything exposed by the accident that you wondered about while building, or that you now think could or should be done differently?
I have these thoughts often while designing and building, but have never had the opportunity to obtain proof one way or another.

Rob

[Shadow Catcher]

Rob, I understand your interest. There are a number of problems exposed some of which I was concerned about and would have worked to correct and one inherent design problem. Sloppy seam sealing is the most common problem inherent in the attaching of the Filon. the biggest problem I felt was that the side walls are attached to the frame with bolts and the front and rear are welded to the frame. If it ever becomes necessary to replace the floor it would be very difficult.
The choice of a Dexter axle, I do not know if it was damaged but if it needs to be replaced I will request that a Flexride be used instead.

[48Rob]

Thanks.

I've always tried to build mine so I could take them apart if needed, or at least parts of them, but eventually, the need for stuctural integrity and being leakproof outweigh future concerns...
Certainly a catch 22.
I chose the same path as you, build as well as possible, and buy a good insurance policy.

Rob

[pete42]

Thanks for posting the name of the shop "Quality Collision Center in Piqua" I live about 30 miles southeast of Piqua.
the trailer repair shops around Dayton (I live east of Dayton) leave a lot to be desired.
when I needed repairs I ended up doing them myself but it did not require straightening the frame.
good luck on repairs like I said before I really like the look of you trailer

pete

[Shadow Catcher]

Pete
The latest is that it should be finished with in three weeks. Greg already finished straightening the frame before he got the OK from Nationwide and he is going to strengthen a couple of other areas as well. Evidently the hang up is reproducing the cabinet doors, they were custom made.