Cutting Through A Weld

[hazmat]

This ought to do the trick

world's largest hammer /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[CTyler]

I have a 10 ton porta-power and used it to help straighten out the fender on my car trailer, among other things. You can put a dolly on the end of it vs the sledge face. Depending on the angle you may be able to use a floor jack or bottle jack with a 2x4, 4x4 etc.. Shape the end of your push piece to match the curve on your fender if applicable. Then push it back up, out whatever.

 

[Nasty135]

Also remember aluminium doesn't like to bend more than once, depending on the type of aluminium the second bend can break...

On a similar discussion with my wife the "BUS driver" How can you drive something as big as a bus then come home with the trim rings all scarred up on your little astro van?? running boards have been ripped off... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif(they stuck out a little past the tires) Hit the edge of her sisters landscape tie planter near the driveway...drove over a pile of frozen snow giving the running boards a nice little arch in the middle AAARRRGGGGH!!! I just cant believe it.... Its a good thing buses don't have trimrings...

SEE you don't have it all that bad afterall... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BTW, She is still driving this same Astro 12 yrs later with 310,000 miles on it. It looks like a war wagon but keeps on going...Now she wants a full sized truck to drive /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif She sure does keep it interesting though /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[HomeBrew2]

"""The more that I think about this, the more I think that once I pound out the fender so it's drivable, I'll leave it alone. If we decide to have it fixed, I'll have the local manufacturer replace it."""

It took all day to get to the bottom of this, but I had the impression this morning that this was a "wife" problem, not a "trailer" problem ......

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> I had the impression this morning that this was a "wife" problem, not a "trailer" problem ...... </font>
Some things can be fixed, while others can not. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Farmwithjunk]

A few random thoughts;

If you're planning on keping this trailer for some time, and there's a high likelyhood that the fender hasn't seen its last impact with a guardrail, I'd do what you said, and just pound it back in to some semblence of shape, and go on with life.

On the occasionds when my wife has made this sort of "ooops", I've found that quick and complete repairing of the mistake usually causes her to forget it long before I do. A little bend or two in the fender might serve as a constant reminder.

The general contractor I work for has several trailers. I have a couple of my own. Generally, when someone has raked one against something, it was because the tow vehicle didn't have adaquate mirrors. (Not to say that's ALWAYS the case) Maybe your wife can shed some light on that aspect.

Some people just aren't intended to pull trailers. (I have a real problem with the "30 day wonders" CDL/truck driver/steering wheel holder schools.) I've always been of the opinion that if someone has to teach you how to handle a truck/trailer, you don't need to be in one. (One more advantage of growing up on a farm)

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> A little bend or two in the fender might serve as a constant reminder. </font>
My thinking exactly.

I was also going to use what happened as an excuse to buy some new tools. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

<font color="blue">it was because the tow vehicle didn't have adaquate mirrors. </font>
Actually, I asked her about this and she said the mirrors are fine and she uses them. In the interest of maintaining marital peace, I resisted the urge to comment. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Farmwithjunk]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( In the interest of maintaining marital peace, I resisted the urge to comment. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )</font>

Over the years, I've kept some of my best one liners to myself for that very same reason.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I've always been of the opinion that if someone has to teach you how to handle a truck/trailer, you don't need to be in one. )</font>

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gifCan't help but wonder whether you were born with the knowledge of how to do it, or was it instinct, or just what? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I'm afraid my dad had to teach me, but I do believe I learned pretty well. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I'm thinking it was mostly instict, plus the ability to watch and learn. Maybe I didn't say it the way I MEANT it. Some people think they're qualified truck drivers BECAUSE they went through a school, regardless of the fact they can't safely drive one.

My guess is your dad didn't have too much trouble teaching you. That would indicate to me that you have some natural ability. I've encountered a few drivers over the years that had NONE, yet were large and in charge behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler.

 

[CTyler]

I have a BIL that did the school thing and drove Semi's for a while or tried to. He just lacks common sense on stuff. He got let go from a couple places after bending up several trucks. The imortal words of Red Foreman come to mind. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Maybe I didn't say it the way I MEANT it )</font>

I know. I just couldn't resist. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Everyone had to learn somewhere, some way. There was a time when my dad drove trucks for a living, and both of my brothers have spent some time earning their livings in 18-wheelers. When I was a teenager, I used to have to drive some 14-wheelers (single axle on the truck and dual axles on the trailers) but that was so long ago that the trucks were gasoline powered Chevrolets and the trailer brakes were independent of the truck, operated by a lever on the steering column. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif So while I've driven lots of trucks, as well as cars, busses, and motorhomes, and pulled an assortment of trailers, I've never driven one of the modern 18-wheelers.

 

[HomeBrew2]

"""Some things can be fixed, while others can not"""

Actually, EVERYTHING can be fixed ... some things are best left unfixed unless one is willing to accept the "fixed" situation. Personally, I decided to "fix" my situation many years ago ... it has taken this many years to accept the ramifications (sp) of my decision. I do not recommend my solution but, I do enjoy personal freedom more than some folks, so it works very well for me.
I wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Highbeam]

Excellent point... the wrinkles fender will be a reminder. Though it may be a problem if she then considers it a beater and doesn't even try to avoid things anymore beacause what the heck, it's already smashed.

 

[RedRocker]

Red Foreman, my hero.

 

[MikePA]

To close the story...

I removed the wheel and tried using a sledge. Didn't work, the fender is too sturdy, the sledge just bounced off.

So, I got out the floor jack, a piece of plywood and a length of 2" x 6". I sat the jack on the plywood, placed the 2" x 6" on the jack pad and "pushed out" most of the dents from beneath, being careful the 2" x 6" didn't pop out and go flying. I used a pair of Vice Grips to 'clean up' the edge of the fender.

Servicable....until the next time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Farmwithjunk]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( To close the story...

Servicable....until the next time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>

Can we start a betting pool on what date "the next time" will be?

Good luck!