Frame strength

[Stormrider151]

Here's a question. May be dumb but the only dumb question is the one that wasn't ask but should have been. I have been using double friction sway control bars on my 30 ft. They just don't seem to be doing the trick. I now have a straight line with duel cam sway control. To mount the cams I will have to remove the ball plates for the friction bars. That's 12 open holes in the tongue. I don't believe they will cause a structural problem but thought I would float the question to you guys. Will these holes degrade the structural integrity of the tongue and if so what are my options. Thanks for your help.


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[pappcam]

Should be ok but if 2 sway bars aren't working out you should try and get your rig set up correctly as 2 should "do the trick". I have a similar TV and a similar trailer with a standard WDH with one sway bar and it pulls great. I will be adding a 2nd sway bar next year just in case I ever get in a situation that might need it.

[mark0224]

put the bolts back in and weld them in then grind them off and paint or just put the bolts in and leave them that way

[trbomax]

I am assumeing the holes are in the web and not the flange of the frame. If it were mine,I'd plug weld them solid and either touch up the spots or refinish all the exposed frame with rattle can bed liner,but then I have the equipment to do this.Extra (unused) holes in a frame WEB are actually not a structural concern.There should NEVER be any holes drilled in the frame flanges for any purpose.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by trbomax

I am assumeing the holes are in the web and not the flange of the frame. If it were mine,I'd plug weld them solid and either touch up the spots or refinish all the exposed frame with rattle can bed liner,but then I have the equipment to do this.Extra (unused) holes in a frame WEB are actually not a structural concern.There should NEVER be any holes drilled in the frame flanges for any purpose.

Agree! Plug weld them , grind flush and touch up.

[Stormrider151]

Thanks guy's, that's pretty much what I thought. I'm not a welder so I'll have to find somebody that is. I'm sure one of my firefighter buddies can do it. I think the dealer didn't set the hitch right when I picked up the trailer. That's probably why the friction controls aren't working. The trailer looks a little tongue high to me. I've got 13% at the ball so that's not it. I've heard a lot of good things about the dual cam so I figured I'd give it a try and set it up myself. Thanks again.