Fractured chassis 2010 Escape 19' just behind the front jack on driver's side.

[Devil Dog]

I would say the whole frame should be changed . A brake like that indicates there is something with the way that metal was dawn from the furnace an improperly chilled .
Where and when will it brake next even after a repair is made. A hardness test should be done to see if the whole thing isn't affected . Maybe have it inspected by a frame shop and get a proper report .

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Devil Dog

I would say the whole frame should be changed . A brake like that indicates there is something with the way that metal was dawn from the furnace an improperly chilled .
Where and when will it brake next even after a repair is made. A hardness test should be done to see if the whole thing isn't affected . Maybe have it inspected by a frame shop and get a proper report .

I would totally agree . I also would get more then one opinion. Pat

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Devil Dog

I would say the whole frame should be changed . A brake like that indicates there is something with the way that metal was dawn from the furnace an improperly chilled .
Where and when will it brake next even after a repair is made. A hardness test should be done to see if the whole thing isn't affected . Maybe have it inspected by a frame shop and get a proper report .

I think that changing the whole frame is way too radical of a thing to do. Your suggestion of having it inspected though, I think is a really good idea, and should be a first course of action. Then make a decision.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by David H

I agree. I believe these frames are T1 alloy steel (ASTM A-514) which has a very high yield strength at 100 ksi and is quiet difficult to weld.

From Wikipedia:

Usage
A514 steels are used where a weldable, machinable, very high strength steel is required to save weight or meet ultimate strength requirements. It is normally used as a structural steel in building construction, cranes, or other large machines supporting high loads.

In addition, A514 steels are specified by military standards (ETL 18-11) for use as small-arms firing range baffles and deflector plates.

So it's "bulletproof", but not immune to cracking!

Although not the easiest alloy to weld, if it really is A-514, it is intended to be weldable, according to ASTM: ASTM A514 / A514M - 14; Standard Specification for High-Yield-Strength, Quenched and Tempered Alloy Steel Plate, Suitable for Welding

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by David H

Crack is likely as you say a cold crack (hydrogen crack) at the toe of the tack weld and these are usually a result of a lack of pre heat prior to welding. So likely been there since day one and propagated across the bottom flange of the C channel then up the web over a long period of time as a result of the low cycle high stress loading when jacking (minor)combined with the considerable dynamic loads imposed during towing (major).

That makes sense to me, except one detail...

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Is it channel? The close-up photo in post #23 looks like it but I thought it would be rectangular tube.
...Or did ETI go from 3" channel to 4" tube?

Originally Posted by thoer

Aren't all the frames rectangular tubes? My 2010 17B is and all others I've seen have been.

Yes, every Escape that I have seen or for which I have read a description has fundamentally the same frame design, which uses rectangular tubing for the main frame rails and tongue. The raised rear section of frame is 1.5"x3", while the rest is the same size (earlier trailers) or 2"x4" (later trailers).

David's crack propagation scenario still applies to tube, as it would to channel.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Parker

Thinking as I go here, but it seems like there would be more stress on the frame when it's supported by the ball as in towing, since that's a longer lever arm producing a greater moment in the area of the crack. Unless the front jacks were used as a sole source of support (no tongue jack) and this particular side was regularly cranked down tighter, supporting most of the trailer weight forward of the wheels. I'm falling into the camp of it being a metallurgical (or welding) issue, assuming there there wasn't a lot of extra weight added to the tongue while towing.

I agree, although of course we are all just making educated guesses.

[David H]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

That makes sense to me, except one detail...


Yes, every Escape that I have seen or for which I have read a description has fundamentally the same frame design, which uses rectangular tubing for the main frame rails and tongue. The raised rear section of frame is 1.5"x3", while the rest is the same size (earlier trailers) or 2"x4" (later trailers).

David's crack propagation scenario still applies to tube, as it would to channel.

I thought it was "C" channel from the close up of each of the photographs as I couldn't see the opposing web, if it was rectangular tubing. I know my 2014 17B is rectangular tube but I don't know of the various historical builds over the model years.

Regardless of construction material, the point I was trying to make is routine yearly maintenance performed should include a careful inspection of the frame because of the significant dynamic loads imposed to the frame during towing. In my long career working in the engineering discipline as an integrity specialist I have seen many failures which have occurred to components which meet the governing codes and manufacturing specification but were subjected to unforeseen loads. "Crap happens"

[thoer]

David - sounds like with your background, any "guesses" you make are going to be educated and experience backed.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by David H

I thought it was "C" channel from the close up of each of the photographs as I couldn't see the opposing web, if it was rectangular tubing.

I agree that it looks like channel in the photos... I think the consensus is that it won't be. The crack is very open - perhaps it is more open on the inboard side than the outboard side (keeping us from seeing the other edges), which would mean that the frame may not be straight now.... that's something to check during the repair.

[Viajante]

RWD,
Do you have an update on how you solved the problem?

[RWD]

Picking up the trailer tomorrow. Will keep you posted. Thank-you for keeping in touch. The chassis was reinforced bilaterally. Pictures forthcoming.
RWD

[thoer]

RWD - great to hear its all fixed

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by RWD

Picking up the trailer tomorrow. Will keep you posted. Thank-you for keeping in touch. The chassis was reinforced bilaterally. Pictures forthcoming.
RWD

Looking forward to seeing the fix. Have a couple questions, but will wait until you post, as you may just answer them there.

[MyronL]

Tough break. But, them's the brakes.

[Jubal]

Pictures of the repaired frame, please.

[thoer]

RWD is probably en route to Florida.

[RWD]

[RWD]

Once again having a terrible time entering pictures on this site.
Procedure not explained. It would be helpful to have a convivial assistance pull down of some sort. HELP!

[gbaglo]

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