Welding on frame

[scottz]

Anyone have a recommendation on how to protect electronics and what to protect before welding on the frame?

I have the InCommand system, level up, etc. My thoughts are to kill all the power in the rig, and maybe pull the connectors off the InCommand board.

What else?

[mtlakejim]

May I inquire why you are welding on the frame?




If your installing a hitch may I suggest fabricating a cross member with plates to allow bolting instead of welding. I would also have a backer plate on the opposite side. It takes a little more effort but will reduce the chance that you will excessively weaken the frame by welding on it.....


If your going to weld on the frame be sure that you fully support it on either side of the welding and be careful to avoid overheating the frame as much as possible to reduce heat stress and warping...

[rohrmann]

Had our frame repaired a few years ago, and the welding was just stick welding, and we did nothing to the electrical, 12 volt or 120 volt, and have had zero issues.

[scottz]

I am installing skid wheels. The existing hitch is welded to the frame with a 4" channel (hard to explain). The skid wheels will go on the bottom of this channel and I will also have to weld in a brace because the channel is not all that beefy.

I might also wait until I put a 2" receiver on and do the whole job at once. Still planning.

[mtlakejim]

Actually I had a hitch on my old unit that was tied into a 4" square tube that was then bolted to the frame. In fact I had 3 receivers and mounted a piece of channel iron to those across the back to hold a dirt bike. So I have a pretty good idea what your up too.


As for disconnecting the electricals it isn't really necessary since the welding arc is isolated between the rod and work but I would still disconnect the batteries and power just to be on the safe side.


My big concern would be not weaking the frame with excessive heat.....

[rohrmann]

On our rig, they used u shaped channel made from 10 gauge steel to extend the frame to the rear, and to that, they attached the flimsy hitch. The bottom part of the channels acted like skids for the occasional contact with the ground or pavement. They finally wore through, so I had some skids made from 3/8" plate, cut off the remainder of the bottom of the channels, drilled the new skids to match up with the mounting holes of the hitch and installed the new skids using longer bolts. I thought of using rollers, but just didn't want to reduce the distance between the rig and the ground, and these skids have worked great.

[mtlakejim]

Seems like these newer models sit up higher in the back. I don't see ours dragging at all but then we tend to avoid places where it would. We don't boondock in the real boonies.......

[K0LCB]

I would remove the ground cable from the battery. You may not have a problem, but I wouldn’t take a chance on a back feed!

[capras801]

Make sure the area where you ground is very clean and as close to the weld as possible.

[lundwc16]

It may or may not be a problem. It's easy enough to disconnect from shore power, & the negative battery cable, just to be sure.
John