I was under the coach a couple weeks ago fixing a trailer light plug bracket when I noticed a potentially serious problem. There is an angle bracket welded to the frame rail (same on both sides).
Where that angle bracket is curved 90 degs, a crack has developed.
From looking at the crack, it appears its been there some time and has not gotten worst (Thank God, I just finished 6000 trip towing a TOAD.)
The crack is in the bend and may have originated because the bend was to sharp, (not enough radius)
I don’t know what the previous owner towed, but the way the cracks are and the slight downward bend, I would guess heavy tongue weight, either a trailer or maybe one of those cargo carriers that plug into the hitch receiver.
This photo is laying on the ground, looking up and slightly forward where the hitch bolts to the frame rail, vie this angle bracket. The back, right side, of the MH can be seen at the top of the photo. I highlighted in red where the crack is.
This photo is looking up at the left side angle support.
My initial thoughts are to weld a couple beads on the outside and inside to add radius to the bend. And, If I can find a piece of angle stock, I’ll bolt it to the outside of the bumper mount, and sandwich it between the hitch and the existing angle.
I removed the hitch and used a bottle jack to push the cracked flange back into position. The crack was cleaned with a wire brush and welded shut.
To add strength to the bracket, I found a large 1/4 inch thick angle iton piece and cut it to fit around the existing “L” mounting plate. Holed ere drilled that lined up with the hitch and the bumper mount plate and.
Everything was bolted back together, The repair is substantially stronger than the original installation.
Photo 3: This is the plate that holds the rear bumper on. Its bolted to the angle. The tow hitch is seen just below the tape measure.
Photo 4: Drawing of how the bumper and hitch are mounted, with crack in the angle bracket.
Photo 5: Drawing as photo 4, but with new angle bracket bolted in place a crack welded.
Photo 6: Crack visible when trailer hitch removed.
Photo 7: Crack welded closed
Photo 8: Trailer hitch and bumper re-installed with new angle bracket bolted in place.