Regarding broken cross members

Broken crossmembers are an OOS violation. It doesn't matter where they are. Broken crossmembers are break downs of the structural integrity of the entire trailer.

 

That tire doesn't look so hot either......

 

From the Tennessee DOT site:

1. Frame or equivalent shall be of such design and strength as to correspond, at least, to standard practice for trucks of same general load characteristics which are used for highway travel.
   
   
2. 2) Any business, corporation or person that modifies the original trailer frame shall be responsible for the performance of workmanship and materials resulting from such modifications.
   
   
3. 3) All welding must be of electric weld.
   
   
4. 4) Frame, cross members and body mounts shall not be cracked, broken, bent or rusted to a depth as to
   
   substantially weaken frame.
   
   
5. 5) Cross members shall not be loose or missing.
   
   
6. 6) Body mount shall not be missing, have missing bolts or rivets deteriorated or missing.
   

 

I know nothing about vans, but if anything, it would seem broken crossmembers over tandems would be more dangerous.

 

Looks like heat an beat then bolt it together weld everything back in place, many DOT off. will look to see if cracks run out the end of old welds then put you oos for the smallest things?

 

This is a true safety issue though. The crossmembers are integral to the trailer structure. When they fail, the trailer can have a catostrophic structural failure.

 

I never take advice from mechanics. These guys that are 22 yrs old, still making payments on the shing Snap On tool box with every accessory available and has his cell phone on a charging stand. Old wore down gray haired guy provides more mechanical confidence, but still DOT laws are MY expertise. Jmo..

 

From the picture, it's hard to tell. I see some "bent" stuff but not anything "broken". It's an old trailer. I suspect there are probably several other issues that might put it OOS before what I see in the picture will put it OOS.

There is no "cheap repairs" to correct that situation other then perhaps retiring the trailer out of the fleet. There are plenty of other trailers with much more dangerous damage issues on the road then that. Not knowing who your carrier/boss is, I'd say good luck refusing to pull that trailer [because of that issue] and keeping your job.

And yes I'm very aware of the new system and CSA points and all that other stuff, so do what you want or feel the need to.