Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

[cullen493]

I was trying to remove the welded on coupler of my trailer and I accidentally cut into the frame of the trailer and damaged it so it would be dangerous to put a coupler on should I cut the frame back a few inches and put the coupler on there?

What do I need to cut into the frame? I have a Dewalt 4 1/2 inch grinder Should I use that or hire a welding shop? It is untowable now. Thanks

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

I was trying to remove the welded on coupler of my trailer and I accidentally cut into the frame of the trailer and damaged it so it would be dangerous to put a coupler on should I cut the frame back a few inches and put the coupler on there?

What do I need to cut into the frame? I have a Dewalt 4 1/2 inch grinder Should I use that or hire a welding shop? It is untowable now. Thanks

This is the kind of thing we need a picture to answer.

Did you post a few days ago?

 

[cullen493]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

I will go take some pictures and try to post them

 

[jfadool]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

If you don't have surge brakes and don't mind the shorter length of the tongue just cut it off flush and bolt on the new coupler.

I would use a portable band saw, sawsall, or even a good hacksaw to get a good cut. If you have a chop saw you could use that, a small grinder will not give a very strait cut.

If you have surge brakes you will just have to be very careful around your lines. Then just install the new coupler and bleed the lines.

 

[cullen493]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

I just posted some pictures I hope it worked I always have trouble posting pictures on here

 

[cullen493]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

This trailer is so old I just think the metal bonded to the frame without even being welded. I am wondering if I should cut into the frame with my grinder a few inches back from the coupler and safety chains and put the coupler on there.

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

I just posted some pictures I hope it worked I always have trouble posting pictures on here

I'd just chop off a few inches if you can afford to do it. I'm glad you posted pictures - I couldn't figure out how you were going to pull the tongue together to fit a new coupler - but you don't have the same type of trailer I do. You might have to cut off the bracket underneath the coupler also, but you could just weld the chains to the tongue or have a new bracket made.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

Cut it flush, Then see if you can find a longer coupling. Drill then bolt on.

 

[cullen493]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

How safe would it be to try to cut into the frame with a circular saw? That is the only saw I have. I don't mind spending the money on a good hacksaw but that would be a hell of a lot of work because the metal is fairly thick. What would the best type of saw to use be? I don't mind if it is a little uneven and Plus I am turning this boat trailer into a hauling trailer so I would probably need to cut the frame back a few inches anyway right?

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

How safe would it be to try to cut into the frame with a circular saw? That is the only saw I have. I don't mind spending the money on a good hacksaw but that would be a hell of a lot of work because the metal is fairly thick. What would the best type of saw to use be? I don't mind if it is a little uneven and Plus I am turning this boat trailer into a hauling trailer so I would probably need to cut the frame back a few inches anyway right?

A hacksaw isn't that much work. Do that.

If you do use a circular saw, turn on the video recorder and post it here or in the stupid human tricks section. I suppose it'll still count since it's boat related!!

 

[cullen493]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

I guess I might try the hack saw.

I really wasn't going to use the circular saw unless I got a lot of replies saying that was my best bet. But I do think that would be kind of idiotic id probably end up cutting my hand off.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

Use an angle grinder with a cutting wheel and some cutting lube.

-E

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

So your previous thread said you were going to take it to a welding shop. What changed your mind?

To be honest, if I knew that was all you were working with, I would have just suggested hacking it off after the coupler as well.

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

Use an angle grinder with a cutting wheel and some cutting lube.

-E

He's liable to get through and have the wheel catch on the backside. This can result in the wheel breaking at high speed, and since he is being careful he will be somewhere close to it. The guard is not set up to protect him in this instance.

A hacksaw will take one beer to finish. It's not a big deal.

 

[cullen493]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

what about a reciprocating saw?

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

If you have a reciprocating saw, use that.
If you dont, you can always rent one for like 15 bucks.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

How did you make that cut?

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

Most Home Depots rent sawsalls and portabands. Go get a safer tool!

 

[antique fisherman]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

Wal Mart sells metal cutting blades for a circular saw that works very well.
I regulary cut metal with mine, It's not hard to do.

 

[likalar]

Re: Help! I cut into the frame of my trailer

Wal Mart sells metal cutting blades for a circular saw that works very well.
I regulary cut metal with mine, It's not hard to do.

+1. A metal cutting disk should do the trick. There's no teeth, so the danger is minimized. Bring a blade with you to the store to make sure you get the right diameter and center hole arrangement. Gloves, goggles and earplugs should be worn and have decent ventilation, no gasoline nearby.

Larry