Aluminum welds failing in storage!

[Yillbs]

My aluminum welds are either missing or done extremely poorly in my storage area under the front of a fifth wheel, is this an easy fix? What should be done? It’s a new unit so under warranty but months and months out for work. My appointment is for July 10th. Can I fix this?

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Those are just crap welding jobs.
Yes, you can repair it yourself if...........you have good aluminum welding skills, knowledge, and the needed materials and welding system.

But I suggest you take it to a professional welding shop that has experience welding aluminum as well as the needed equipment.

Bob

 

[sanda]

Very poor weld. A weld shop should be able to fix. I would contact the manufacturer to get them to agree to pay the repair.

 

[Buly]

This is unbelievable. A child could have done a better job. Hard to say what can be done from one photo.
Try to get a second opinion from independent welder (they are not created equal ). Not everybody can weld aluminum as you can tell. Most likely L shaped reinforcement will have to be welded over the blown through areas?

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Nice!
Don't know that you will get joy at service if they thought that was good! I have a hard time believing it ever looked any better.

I personally would have a real welding shop fix it or make a reinforcing plate and pop rivet/screw it on.

 

[Rich W.]

I agree, a good local alum welder is your best choice. Some of them are artists and far better than anyone at a dealership doing general RV repairs. To get it done right the dealership would have to sub out the work anyway so you are better off finding a good welder yourself. Only benefit to waiting for the appointment is that it probably wouldn’t cost you, but they also might just say that they are all like that, it’s fine, not a warranty job. If it were mine, I take it to a trusted local shop and get it done in one day and never have to worry about it again.

 

[Yillbs]

I agree, a good local alum welder is your best choice. Some of them are artists and far better than anyone at a dealership doing general RV repairs. To get it done right the dealership would have to sub out the work anyway so you are better off finding a good welder yourself. Only benefit to waiting for the appointment is that it probably wouldn’t cost you, but they also might just say that they are all like that, it’s fine, not a warranty job. If it were mine, I take it to a trusted local shop and get it done in one day and never have to worry about it again.

Can the rv still be used? I suspect the hold up the floor in the front cap and bathroom area?

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I would have them tell me to get it in now, or tell me it was safe to use (in writing).

 

[Rich W.]

Can the rv still be used? I suspect the hold up the floor in the front cap and bathroom area?

Chances are those welds will hold. Hard to say without seeing it and evaluating the load. But they probably look worse than they are. My Newmar has ugly alum. welds in places where the buyer is unlikely to look. But if it causes you concern I’d get on it sooner than later. I’ve had some aluminum weld jobs to do and been tempted to upgrade my equipment and tackle it myself, but it never seems worth the investment and a good welder will knock it out in less than an hour. If you were near by I’d send you to Bast Bros in Auburn, but I’m sure you’ll find someone in your neck of the woods.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

Any update on what the manufacturer had to say about that quality? It looks to have been done with a spool gun on a mig machine (fastest & cheapest, least skill required) with the current cranked up way too high vs. with a TIG torch and a truely skilled welder. This is yet another line item I have to put in my personal inspection sheet to look over before considering any new (unlikely) or used (very likely) TT that I'm going to be dragging down the interstate at 65mph hoping it doesn't fall apart.