How screwed am I ? Boneheaded jacking mistake

[fasteddie]

So I screwed up pretty good and jacked my trailer mistakenly by the axel mounting plate and bent it pretty good right in front of the rear wheel bolt, the welds appear to still be good and don’t see any other obvious damage. I have a big trip coming up very soon and hoping it’s still good to pull

[JIMNLIN]

opnspaces wrote:
I would leave it alone and not worry about it. But if you want to try to repair I would use a big channel-lock or adjustable wrench and bend it back. You could also try just a hammer and some careful pounding.

X2 if the looks bothers you.

[HappyKayakers]

My immediate concern would be the new 'bent' portion contacting that tire on a bumpy road. I can't really tell from the pic how close it is.

[JRscooby]

NamMedevac 70 wrote:
I would check it occasionally for possible stress cracks near the bolt. "If you so choose" a welding shop can straighten the beam with their heavy tools.

I don't think it would take "heavy tools" to straighten it.
BUT, ever grab a coat hanger, or other wire, bend back and forth until it breaks? I think working the steel would make it more likely to get the stress cracks.
Still no answer about knowing a better way to jack it up...

[NamMedevac_70]

I would check it occasionally for possible stress cracks near the bolt. "If you so choose" a welding shop can straighten the plate with their heavy tools.

[Bobbo]

Just watch out for a blinker fluid leak.

[opnspaces]

I would leave it alone and not worry about it. But if you want to try to repair I would use a big channel-lock or adjustable wrench and bend it back. You could also try just a hammer and some careful pounding.

[Diamond_c]

I would make a couple of very persice measurements from axle to axle on both sides. If they are equal then your good.

[Krusty]

I wouldn't be too concerned. You can use an adjustable wrench on there to straighten it out if you want.

[ScottG]

It's not going to have any effect being bent there. Enjoy your trip.

[dodge_guy]

Don’t worry. Won’t hurt anything.

[Tyler0215]

Your good to go. Don't do that again.

[JRscooby]

Might, but not likely to change alignment of axle.
But my major question is do you now have a method to jack up trailer without more damage? And can you do it at side of road in the rain, with traffic flying by your donkey?

[agwill]

No problem, you made it a little stiffer.