Found a welder (update)

[stiles watson]

Blessed be country folk. I asked in the community for a good welder with the emphasis on "good". I was given a name, called him, and he came out on Sunday afternoon after church services to scope out the job. He has experience in welding on trailers of all sorts and had, on hand, the spring bracket needed to do the job.

Now understand that whatever he would charge, I would have no choice but to pay. So when I asked what the estimated tab might be, to my relief, he said $50. Now all I have to do is get my dealer to pay for it. But if he doesn't, it is less than the $100 deductible on my extended warranty.

I wonder what a dealer would have charged and how long it would take to get the job done. This good ol' boy from the Cowboy Church is gonna come by tomorrow after work and do the deed.

[LonnieB]

Good news Stiles.

Glad to hear there are still some of those good ol' country folks around that don't mind giving people a fair deal.

[Waynem]

Stiles,
Dealer service department around here is $112 an hour. How many hours do you figure they could squeeze out of that job?

Have lots of refreshments on hand for that welder!!

[HamRad]

Stiles,

You can bet that it would cost you at least twice what he has quoted you. And you would have wondered what kind of job they had done. This way you will actually be able to watch him do the job.

Glad you found someone local.

Dennis

[Mudchief]

Stiles, i bet the bracket he puts on will be thicker than what came off.

[stiles watson]

He came, he welded, he charged $50 as promised. He was quick and efficient. He said that It was definitely not a problem with the factory weld. He said it looked like a hard blow sheared off the ears. For the life of me, I cannot remember any event that would have created that kind of force.

[nunya]

Have you ever noticed how you can really get the rear wheels in a bind on a tight backup? I cringe when I have to back up and turn at a 90 on uneven ground. I do it very slow and get the wheels back out of a bind asap, this situation really makes me uneasy. Great post n pics on this issue, I check mine OFTEN. Keep up the good work and yep theres still some good ole boys out there!

[wswebster]

Thanks Stiles, Since our weather has taken a turn for the better I showed my husband your posts. Well he did a through inspection (we're leaving for Florida the 27th.) and guess what? We also have a broken/sheared bracked. We also have the Mor/Ryde RE system put on last March. So we're off to the Dealer this morning. We have an extended warranty and they said we'll be covered. Thanks again for the great pic's. Stacy

[Delaine and Lindy]

Thanks stiles, sorry to hear about your issues. I'm also glad to hear it wasn't the fault of Lippert they have gotten a lot of negative comments as for their welds etc. I am begining to wonder if they aren't begining to get some bad steel. Oh well I agree about the country folks most time you will get good recomendations, because they know the area and the people. Good Luck. GBY...