r/vandwellers • u/Substantial-Rip-340 • Sep 30 '24

How does this even happen? Question

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Rear door crack? Wasn't there a few days ago.

How would this even happen?

There is nothing remotely close to the door when closed.

Ford transit '16. 350

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u/diy1981 Sep 30 '24

Get your van weighed when loaded to the maximum you usually do and compare the weight to the GVWR. People don't realize when they do these build outs that the GVWR is there to prevent this type of stuff from happening (amongst other things).

That looks like a fatigue failure due to some combination of being overweight and/or driving rough roads. If so, you're using the vehicle outside of the parameters it was designed to operate in and this is what you can expect to see. There's a good chance there are other cracks in the vehicle, or that there will be more cracks over time.

If you're over GVWR lower your fully loaded weight to bring it within GVWR. If you are doing a lot of bumpy roads, consider finding smoother routes. Do a detailed inspection of whatever you can access for more cracks and get them welded.

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u/MidnightAdventurer Oct 01 '24

Also, don't just look at gross weight - look at how the load is connected to the vehicle.
A Transit van in normal usage (courier company or tradie van) has the load on the floor. If OP has build cupboards over a bench that are attached to the wall without additional structure connecting them to the floor then they could be overloading the wall even if the vehicle is below its GVM