Bent trailer frame realignment

[shedfullatools]

If that was my trailer or I had to fix it for someone I would pull the axles off, remove all the wood decking, and cut off the tongue. Next would be to use a 2-4 ton come along and pull the frame back to square, weld on the new tongue which is under slung from the main frame rails and ties into the front spring hanger area, the tongue will hold the frame square.

This^^^

 

[davejo]

Thanks. I think I'll make my diagonal measurements off the spring hangers.

 

[chaosracing]

If you are going to try and square up the trailer with the decking still attached, your going to be sorry. The decking will not allow you to true it up, plus you will be fighting it. You really have no idea if the frame was bent and then the decking replaced or whats going on.
You also need some way to keep all 4 corners at the same plane. When you pull on the two diagonals like you are, you could also potentially make them dive down from the same plane that the other two corners are on since you are pulling over top of the corners.

 

[davejo]

The frame squared up pretty well as the boards are loose. I put diagonal braces across two crossmembers to lock it in place before relaxing the come along. The curvature then relaxed as well. Still working on the tongue.

Here's another bent project, just passed inspection:

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/pts/6024763393.html

 

[cvairwerks]

You do know that Va requires any trailer over 3000# gross to have brakes?

 

[davejo]

Fixed and then bent again. Two of these boulders were hidden in the bucket. Boom. Contemplating my next move...