2010 Cameo 36fws frame

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  • #81284
    SteelersBillSteelersBill
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      The white metal skin below the front of this trailer showed a bulge on the passenger side that forced the skin out of the trim channel. Upon removal of that skin, it revealed a 3/16 metal plate, approx 5″x8″, that was now partially welded to the frame. It supports nothing. There are 3 others, 2/side, all intact. Visual of the main frame, including g hitch assembly, shows no damage. Does anyone know the purpose for those 4 plates? The attached pic is looking ground up.

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    • #81287
      CLOC-AdminCLOC-Admin
      Keymaster

          The topic has been moved to the “Frame & Suspension” forum category.  Should get better exposure and replies that way.

          B.W.Gentry
          Owner/Admin
          2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
          Breckenridge, TX

          #81293
          JohnD222JohnD222
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            Bill,

            I do not know purpose, but..

            Not being fully welded appears less important than that plate’s appearance of being bent/twisted.  This indicates that there may be some weakness in the pin box area allowing the frame to lift, bend, and twist more than it did when it left the factory.  Any broken off or missing screws attaching the trim that covers the joint where fiberglass cap is joined to the trailer?  Lots of moaning and groaning as you gradually load 5er pin onto your truck and transfer forward weight from Bigfoot hydraulic legs to your truck? Can you see the frame area where the hitch attaches?  Are there any rust spots indicating a failed weld?  Any side gussets missing. Many folks have beefed up this pin box area like I had to, including the addition of two more fore/aft frame pieces.     A real welder, not just a fix it guy should know what to do, but I think it would be helpful for you to find discussion and photos by searching key word “pin box” or “pinbox”  Not a catastrophic fix if caught early.  I took off the under nose sheet metal and all insulation and took photos and made sketches posted to discuss.  We decided it was going to be a lot cheaper if I drove the camper (a  September 2009 build of a 2010 Cameo 36FWS) over to welding shop.  He could do the job where I had it stored with his mobile welding truck, but it saved driving back and forth for the steel once he had eyes on.   He did not decide on the extra fore/aft support until he had eyes on.

            This area was particularly troublesome for the heavier 36 and 37 foot models that had heavy pin weights when empty and even heavier when loaded with or without water.  Low mile rigs did not seem to be affected.  This area was beefed up by Carriage/Cameo in 2012 and again by Lifestyle in 2013.  Lifestyle also separated axles and/or moved them to reduce pin weight.

            Hope this and your searches here (in frame and suspension” help.  Good luck.

            JohnD222
            Based in Florida except summer
            2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

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