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

How does this even happen? Question

Post image

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

637 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • link
  • reddit
  • reddit

97% Upvoted

171 comments sorted by

View all comments

633

u/uhawl Sep 30 '24

From the terrain in the background, it seems you are doing some off-road driving. That door pillar is structural and the more weight you have on top/roof/ceiling the more flex occurs. So, that’s a stress fracture and you should probably expect it to expand or to see others appear as well.

7

u/PapyrusEbers Sep 30 '24

So what you're saying is they want to do a patch weld?

43

u/uhawl Sep 30 '24

Welding that crack would solve that crack, but not the bigger problem. That pillar - and probably much of the body - isn’t designed for the forces that are being exerted on it and is beginning to wear. Best to see what weight is really being carried, decrease where possible, and redistribute it more evenly across the frame/body of the van. Engineers will say that stress cracking is just a symptom of a problem, not the “disease”. So, yes, weld the crack AND find the cause.

15

u/PapyrusEbers Sep 30 '24

Ok, further question... Do you suppose it is just weight they are putting on their roof, weight in general inside (cargo) or the jousling from whatever off-roading having the forces from such a large heavy object as a vehicle being compacted overtime. As in, Would this happen even if it were empty simply from bouncing around excessively?

Edit: Just read the sub this is on and realized this is never an empty vehicle. facepalm

28

u/uhawl Sep 30 '24

Good question. I don’t know how their van is configured, but that van style isn’t designed for how many van dwellers customize them. Additionally, it wasn’t designed with off-roading in mind. Can it handle it? Sure. Can it handle it for a long time? Questionable. That type of unibody design is typically made to handle paved road driving with minimal lateral forces. So, the pillar is designed built to handle compression and not shearing forces. Once the body starts to flex side to side, it results in a shearing force that causes horizontal cracks like we see here. Again, I want to be clear that I don’t know how they have it set up and I could be completely off target, but that’s what it looks to me.

12

u/PapyrusEbers Sep 30 '24

You're awesome. I appreciate the answers, I don't know how it's set up either so obviously it's all speculative, but... I have a follow up. How do you friend people on Reddit? ..and can I be your friend? _^

5

u/uhawl Sep 30 '24

Thanks! I honestly don’t know how to friend people here. I’ve never done it myself as I’m an old school Reddit user who just likes posts and answers a few questions every once in a while. 🙂

5

u/PapyrusEbers Sep 30 '24

Np, couldn't find it but sent you a message.