Torsion bar bracket is breaking

[Rolling Thunder-TMO]

The bracket with 4 bolts under the wall that the torsion bars pass through before going up the lift arms. I don’t like what I’ve read so far on the subject. I’ve tried to reinforce but now see an additional hairline crack running near the bolts.

 

[Bill]

Never seen this. Don't know why it would be breaking unless it was impacted somehow, like hitting a rock, or a pavement impact during a flat tire episode. First thing is to get a new one from the factory - be sure to specify year and model of your TM, and right or left side. Then replace it, marking the position of the bottom of the lift arm on the torsion bars (piece of tape will do) as you take it apart. Once together again, run the shells up and down a few times and see if you can see what is amiss.

 

[Wavery]

I'd get it welded up. They can weld a plate under/behind both torsion bars. I think that I'd get both side done. Be sure that they weld it with the roof lifted so there is no pressure on that bracket.

 

[Rolling Thunder-TMO]

Thank you Bill and Waverly for the quick response. I’m liking the welding option, if he can get the torch to melt his steel rod and not the fiberglass underbelly. Maybe I could tape up protection around the bracket. What I read on our TM Forum about replacing the bracket via taking the torsion system apart sounds most disturbing and way over my head. Custom RV a TrailerManor service is 300mi south or a wannabe dealer I haven’t used yet is 200mi north. I think the damage is from opening the front shell while the trailer is pointing slightly downhill in my front yard parking. I’m always aware to hold and slow the forward momentum but sometimes probably not as effective as necessary. 6 years of that could have taken the toll. I also see a burr developed on the bracket making me think that a torsion adjustment is in order?
We’ve taken this baby coast to coast three times on beautiful 60 day “See America” trips, plus countless shorter trips. Love our TM but serious service availability is very difficult.

 

[Wavery]

Contact a local welding shop and discuss your needs. Better yet, go in and show the technician your pictures. You DO NOT want to do any preparation on your own. That would be offensive to the tech and he/she would likely have to spend time removing what you put up and adding his own fireproof protection (if any is needed). While you are there, you may want to ask him to inspect your trailer frame for cracks and have him address anything that needs to be welded. The frame on my trailer was cracked in 5 places. Many others have reported cracking issues as well. I think that is mainly due to the use of weight distribution hitches that were not designed for our light weight trailers.

Modern welding techniques spread less heat to the surrounding area and he will have the proper material to deal with that. It should take him 30 minutes to make a plan and install protection. Another 30 minutes to shape a piece of metal to weld in. Another 30 minutes (or less) to perform the actual welding. With set-up and clean-up time, the job should take about 2 hours.

By the way, that is aircraft aluminum sheeting under your trailer. The same as the exterior and interior wall. Not fiberglass.

 

[Kidkraz]

Go with CustomRV, they're a knowledgable and great dealer. I've over 6 hours to them for service on my rig in the past. They may have seen this issue in the past.

 

[Wavery]

After looking at your picture again, I looked up a picture that I took of my 2009 TM. It may be an elusion but it looks like yours may be made of a thinner material. I wonder if the last owner of TM Manufacturing made a production change.

Anyway, I think if that were my trailer, I'd ask the welding shop to fabricate an entire new piece out of 1/4" steel instead of whatever that is. That would require taking off the old bracket and taking it into the shop.

I'm adding the picture of mine so that the welder can get another perspective, if you take the pics in before you take the trailer in.

 

[MBushaw]

I'd get it welded up. They can weld a plate under/behind both torsion bars. I think that I'd get both side done. Be sure that they weld it with the roof lifted so there is no pressure on that bracket.

The only time there is any pressure on that bracket is when the shell is up. It supports the weight of the shell.