Trailer & Truck Failure Analysis

When part of a trailer or truck breaks, the question is why: overload, a design or fabrication issue, fatigue, corrosion, a repair, or how the unit was used. Failure analysis works back from the evidence to the loads and the cause.

Failures examined

• Frame and crossmember cracks, buckling and separations
• Hitch, coupler, gooseneck, kingpin and fifth-wheel failures
• Suspension, hanger, spring, axle and spindle failures
• Weld failures at frames, brackets, crossmembers and attachments

How the analysis works

1. Review documents: photos, drawings, specs, maintenance and repair records, loading information.
2. Inspect the failed parts and the unit, where access is arranged [PLACEHOLDER – Dustin to confirm: whether on-site inspections are offered, and where].
3. Reconstruct the loads with statics and axle-load calculations, and compare them with the capacity of the part.
4. Report the findings, the likely failure mechanism and the contributing factors.

Where a lab exam (metallurgy or fractography) is needed, it is identified in the scope [PLACEHOLDER – Dustin to confirm: whether lab work is done in-house or through outside labs].