Aluminium Truck Frame Rails

When the aluminium frames rails on my Mac gravel truck became weakened from electrolysis I scraped the truck, now I see from my buddy Rick I had another option.

Rick has had his Kenworth since new, three million miles later the frame rails are now toast. Rather than scrap the truck he has jacked up the cab then unbolted everything from the aluminium rails then pulled them out from the rear. He had two new rails custom formed from a company in Edmonton, the blanks without holes $1100.00 each, Rick is using the aluminium rails as templates to drill the holes.

Not a bad deal twenty two hundred bucks to save a truck.

Great idea. And another thinking man!! Got any indication of how long it will take him? Do these aluminum rails have stuff bolted to them with Huck bolts? I guess he would have to rent one of those bolt tensioners if they used that kinda bolt.

Presumably he was able to get the rails made from the same alloy (or better) than what the original rails were made from? I don't imagine its plain old 6061 or whatever the stuff you get when you buy an extrusion from Cambodian Tire....

Jon.

ive never seen aluminum frames. everything on my peterbilt and on my kenworth are steel. Are you talking about something besides the main "C" channel frame. I wonder what the different application would be to have it as aluminum opposed to steel. On both of my trucks, even the cross members are steel. only aluminum I have is hood hinge, fuel tank top cradle, and top air bag bracket

Originally Posted by Kw1998

Can you please tell me the name of the shop that made the new frame rail ?

Metal fab shop out of \\\edmonton that could break 30 ft rails otherwise had the rails been shorter Rick could have had them made up in British Columbia saving $$$ on freight.

First rail is installed every hole lined up perfectly, second rail has been removed with the 2nd rail ready to install. Each hole was drilled slightly undersized then finished with a reamer.

Miked, wow, thanks for that link. I've been around semi trucks my whole life and have never even thought to look until I read the original post. I just assumed they were all steel, I then went and looked at my two trucks and they were both steel and I had no clue.

In the electromotive series of metals, iron and zinc are both above aluminium, a sacrificial zinc anode would be perfect to extend the life span of an aluminium frame.

My boat has sacrificial anodes on the propeller shaft, rudder and engine.

The anode for the engine is a screw in type similar to what you would find on a hot water tank.

Rick has both frame rails installed, now he is replacing all the fuel and air lines.