Frame issue

[moogtog]

I picked up my first frame on Friday. I was making some exact measurements to decide layout and make some plans. I cranked down the frame and thought that fender was awfully close, so I threw a square on there and looks to be over hanging about 1/2 inch. I would assume this isn't normal. The fender is pretty square on the tire or a little set back already. I would prefer not moving it. I could torch that brace and move it up a couple inches. Anyone have experience with this or got a clever fix?

[Hawg]

Who made it? I think they would fix it but if you're a welder it looks like an easy fix. Too bad though. 

[moogtog]

Miltona blacksmith. I am sure if I got ahold of don he would, but thats a 4 hour drive for me one way. I could leave it as is and frame the wall an inch or two back. That gap is only 13 inches, so if the wall didn't sit on the brace it wouldn't be a big deal. I think i will just end up cutting and welding. I'm not a welder by trade, but I could handle this job i believe.

[Boar]

but then ull still have paid for something that was  not done properly, 

[Hawg]

I think you could easily get that inch from the space between the fender and tire, just tack the fender farther forward. Are both sides the same? You need another 1/4 inch or so for diamond plate(don't do it, it sucks to clean it if you even can) or whatever you use to finish the wheel wells.

Edited October 5, 2015 by Hawg

[hunterdave29]

Call them and tell them either they can come fix it or you will take it to a local shop to get it fixed properly. Don't cobble it together, you will regret it! 

[Hawg]

I just heard that Don has sold or is in the process of selling Miltona Blacksmith. There's a lot of us fishing on his trailers out there. Did he build this one or has a new person taken over?

[nofishfisherman]

Even if you can fix it yourself you should still be in touch with the builder.  See what they say about solutions for a fix.  

The drive may not be worth it to have them fix it if you can indeed fix it to your satisfaction but they should still be doing something to remedy the situation.  If nothing else they should be crediting a small/reasonable amount back to you for the time you have to put into fixing their mistake.

The possibility of the mistake repeating itself on their future builds is probably higher if you don't say anything to them.  Your phone call may save some future customer the hassle you are dealing with right now.

 

[moogtog]

Don built my trailer. Sounded as though he was going phase himself out through the next couple months. 

As far as doing it myself I have a plasma cutter and welder. I use them often enough to be comfortable doing it myself.

The fender has brackets on both sides and so its not as easy as mowing the one bracket. The other one needs to be elongated(which is not as easy as shortening it).

I want to put steel siding in the wheel well. I think the fenders should save on the wear, and if they siding fades too quick i will probably sand them down and hit em with a bed liner. This means I need to gain an inch or two(another reason i don't want to move the fender). I checked clearance to the inside and seems the leaf spring assembly has plenty of room for steel siding.

Both sides are the same.

I polish enough aluminum rims as it is. I think the fish house will be mostly aluminum free.

 

 

[Hawg]

My house has steel siding but I would still recommend a flat steel or diamond steel for the wheel wells with POR15 on it. My diamond plate aluminum is getting it next year. 

[JSK76]

You want a clever fix? If you plan on blocking your house it probably isn't going to come in contact with the fender just if you have it all the way down.

Edited October 6, 2015 by JSK76

[moogtog]

Don got back to me yesterday said there was an easy way to move the fender. Haven't had time to monkey with it yet.

That is clever jsk, but I like the option of going to the ice, and should have worked in the first place

 

I'm going to house wrap the wheel wells. That way after foam the steel could be changed if need be(i think). I have never seen steel (pole barn) siding in there before. I have felt that aluminum diamond plate and there is nothing too that stuff. Steel would have to be stronger(I think). It is painted which may be the problem. I will see how it wears and different paint is always an option. Your talking about getting steel just to paint it. Eventhough por15 is not really your regular paint, same principle. 

Like I said earlier, this is my first build so if someone put steel siding in there and it got trashed the first year let me know. Any 2 cents is appreciated.

[Hawg]

I don't think pole barn steel would look very good. There is a steel decking product that looks just like diamond plate but black. POR15 is used mainly for auto frame restorations and is extremely tough. My business partner is in the steel siding business is why we did it. It's a ton of work with all the different trim pieces and terminations you need. That cost almost as much as the siding. When finished I don't think either of us would do it again because of the cost and work involved. When we got to the wheel wells we just didn't want to do all the extra work. It weighs a lot more than aluminum too. My 8x16 is a little over 5000 lbs. Just a note, it doesn't take a lot of physical abuse so siding will hold up fine. Most use diamond plate just for looks more than strength. Then year 2 comes and the looks are gone and it's a tarnished un-cleanable mess. Al least mine is as are most of my friends an we take care of our houses.

Edited October 6, 2015 by Hawg

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

 

I'm going to house wrap the wheel wells. That way after foam the steel could be changed if need be(i think). I have never seen steel (pole barn) siding in there before. I have felt that aluminum diamond plate and there is nothing too that stuff. Steel would have to be stronger(I think). It is painted which may be the problem. I will see how it wears and different paint is always an option. Your talking about getting steel just to paint it. Eventhough por15 is not really your regular paint, same principle. 

Like I said earlier, this is my first build so if someone put steel siding in there and it got trashed the first year let me know. Any 2 cents is appreciated.

Steel siding won't be good in the wheel wells.  It'll rust out in no time with all the sand and dump getting blown around in there.  And as Hawg said, the different trim pieces will hold water/salt/sand/ice in there and be a nightmare.  

Also, I wouldn't be too worried about the strength of steel vs aluminum for your siding.  Assuming the house is framed properly, you will have plenty of strength.