Paul, uncertain where you are - If located in Sydney: Phil Johnson Caravan Repairs at Mt Pritchard do straighten chassis components. As Jim has said it should be flatbed transported if drawbar is damaged.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
I wouldn't worry about caravan repairers they only deal with the main structure not the sub frame you will need a smash repairer or even an engineers certificate to be road worthy after such a collision.
Yes - can be fixed. They would have to cut off the whole A frame - back to spring hangers and weld on a replacement. Not an easy job but they would need to work upside down - so may try to lift it to get workable access. Look up Trailer Repairers - in WA they can work on trailers up to 4.5t if licensed, and can have all the work examined/inspected.
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Glen
A diesel Nissan Pathfinder towing a Coromal Element 542.
Good caravan repair places can service this. It will possibly mean a complete replacement of the triangular section at the front. Also any competent welding shop will be capable of copying the drawbar and replacing it. The engineering work has already been done, it just needs copying.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Does anyone know if a caravan with a bent A frame can successfully be fixed, was hit by a car, also bent two stabalizers and the jockey wheel.
Yes, the people aross the road from us had there caravan in to have the cracked A frame replaced, it was only away a few days.
May need to replace the add ons, bars and jockey wheel. Most times they don't repair to well.
Try a caravan repair shop for a quote, then try a steel fabication and welding shop for a quote. Most qualified welders can weld upside down, some better then other, workshop foreman will only put his best man on the job to do the particular style of welding to be done as his business is welding. Could possibly come up better then new.
Maybe a good chance to add bit to the lenght of the A frame, a little extra will help in the ride, towball weight and when reversing, not knowing your caravan this is a blind statement but its just a thought. Caravans are built to a price, so where ever they can save they will, as with my van I would move the gas bottles closer to the body of the van including a couple of jerry can holders to carry my empty water containers.
Does anyone know if a caravan with a bent A frame can successfully be fixed, was hit by a car, also bent two stabalizers and the jockey wheel.
If you are in Victoria I wouldn't be too concerned as Vic does not require roadworthy tests on caravans and no engineering certs etc are needed. Vic also does not have a write-off system for caravans.
As far as I am aware this would be no different to having a bent chassis or vehicle sub-frame repaired. Just have the bent drawbar cut off and a replacement welded on. This is quite a common occurrence for panel beaters and a regular issue on 4x4s, trailers and caravans. Use a reputable repairer/engineering outfit that understands how poor welding can weaken steel and alloys used on frames and chassis and I think you're good to go.
Thanks for the replies, I am in Perth and with the RAC, the biggest problem is getting a repairer to store the van so it can be looked at so then they can repair it. Although it maybe dangerous to tow until the a frame is checked, it doesn't look like the a frame has a problem, I measured one side of the van to end of frame then did the same at the other side and the measurement is the same, so could be ok. The van was swiveled sideways so that the frame was 2 metres from its original position,so was given a good hard hit, which also bent the jockey wheel and at least 2 stabalizers. So wish me luck finding someone in Perth to fix it.
Thanks for the replies, I am in Perth and with the RAC, the biggest problem is getting a repairer to store the van so it can be looked at so then they can repair it. Although it maybe dangerous to tow until the a frame is checked, it doesn't look like the a frame has a problem, I measured one side of the van to end of frame then did the same at the other side and the measurement is the same, so could be ok. The van was swiveled sideways so that the frame was 2 metres from its original position,so was given a good hard hit, which also bent the jockey wheel and at least 2 stabalizers. So wish me luck finding someone in Perth to fix it.
Hello goannaway
There are plenty of reputable engineering places in Perth
I played around with RCR Tomlinson in an earlier life, which is one of the biggest in WA Back in the day, it had a very big yard
Perhaps the RAC is looking at normal smash repairers, which may find it hard to accommodate a caravan
You should have no problems, as RAC WA has a good name for looking after its members
