Repair Standards

Gouges ½” but less than 7/8” deep must be filled with epoxy crack filler. Gouges deeper than 7/8” require a floorboard section. Floorboards can be sectioned as long as the section covers a minimum of three crossmembers the full width of the board. Sections next to each other must be staggered by one crossmember at each end. Cuts and holes in aluminum flooring can be welded as long as the floorboard has not been crushed. Metal plating is acceptable on flatbed floors.

Metal plating is acceptable provided that the plate is secured with floor screws through the crossmembers. Floor screws used for floor plates need to be counter-sunk into the steel plate. Crossmembers can have minor damage to them as long as it does not compromise the integrity of the floor. Crossmembers may also be repaired if the flange is pulled away from the floor or torn. If replacing crossmembers, the end clips must be welded and mylar tape must be used between dissimilar metals. 

Minor scrapes, scratches, and dents that do not puncture the panel or skin are acceptable. Posts deflected less than ½” are acceptable. Holes or cuts in side panels can be repaired by patching the panel with a patch that matches the existing panel and is buck riveted with hard buck rivets or Premier supplied stainless-steel Mono-bolts. Plate vans can also be patched by overlaying the damaged area with a patch that matches the existing panel and is buck riveted with hard buck rivets or Premier supplied stainless-steel Mono-bolts.

Hard buck rivets are allowed anywhere on the trailer. We are allowing stainless-steel Mono-bolts to be used for side panel patches anywhere within the panel and up to 6” touching a rail or panel divider (post). They can also be used to replace single missing rivets on panels and radius panels. The stainless-steel Mono-bolts must be provided by Premier as we are having them manufactured and are not available otherwise.

The number of patches should not exceed 4 patches per panel. If the cut or hole goes completely through a plate panel and is less than 4” x 18” it can be sandwich patched with hard buck rivets or Premier supplied stainless-steel Mono-bolts. If the damage can’t be patched it must be sectioned. A section must start from the top or bottom of the panel, be less than 50% of the panel, and only one section per panel. If these conditions can not be met, the panel must be replaced. Silaprene should be placed between the panel pieces prior to assembly; not bordering around the section after assembly. Only buck rivets or Premier supplied stainless-steel Mono-bolts will be acceptable.

Extruded radius panels can be welded and ground smooth or sectioned. Patches welded over holes are not acceptable. Sections should be welded. No reinforcement is needed. Thin panel radius panels are to be treated the same as side panels. Patches on the nose panel can be installed with Premier supplied stainless-steel Mono-bolts or hard buck rivets and must have Silaprene installed under the patch.

Posts deflected more than ½” must be straightened to their original shape and be free of cuts, otherwise they must be replaced. Plate van panel dividers can be patched or sectioned with hard buck rivets or Premier supplied stainless-steel Mono-bolts. Cuts in side skirts no longer than 4’ can be repaired by attaching aluminum side panel material behind the cut and either buck riveting or Mono-bolting through the skirt. If the skirt material is missing or torn out the skirt must be replaced. If there is damage within 2” from the bottom of the skirt and the skirt hasn’t already been trimmed, you can trim the entire length to remove the damaged area.

All Mono-bolts should be shot from the outside. If the rivet hole is wallowed out a buck rivet must be used.

Minor scrapes, scratches, dents that do not puncture the bottom rail, and inward deflection of the bottom rail that doesn’t exceed 3/4” with no punctures or cracks are acceptable. Rail sections are acceptable as long as the section starts from the front or rear of the trailer. Only one section per rail is allowed. If more than one rail is sectioned, the sections must be staggered at least 6 feet from one another. All sections should be welded and must be reinforced. However, bottom rail sections over the upper coupler area do not require reinforcement. Bottom rail reinforcements must be at least 4” x 1/8” flat stock steel extending two crossmembers on each side of the splice. Top rail reinforcements must be a manufacture specific splice plate (a 1/4” angle roughly 4” with a 2” angle leg to match the rail) and at least 30” long. All dissimilar metals must be wrapped with mylar tape.

Welding of bottom rails is acceptable. On Vans or Reefers, cuts at or above the floor line that are less than 12” long can be welded. Cuts below the floor line that are less than 24” can be welded. On plate vans, Cuts 1 ½” above the floor line and above the lowest panel rivet line can be welded if it is less than 24” long. Cuts that are below the floor line and are less than 24” long can be welded. All welds must be reinforced below the welds at least 2 cross members each way. Any welds 12” or longer must be approved by the ROM before starting.

Cuts on top rails can be welded if they are 6” long or less. All top rail welds must be approved by the ROM before starting. All welds must be reinforced with a manufacture specific splice plate behind the welds. Roof flanges and rain guards can be sectioned or welded as needed. No reinforcement needed for flange or rain guard sections. Dents and bends in rails should be straightened. If the rail has been bent 3/4” or more in either direction it must also be reinforced. Cracks can be welded but must be reinforced below the welds. Upper nose rails can be sectioned. A ¼” x 3” x 6” or larger aluminum reinforcement must be used. Cuts 12” long or less can be welded. No reinforcement is needed for welds. Lower nose bolsters can be welded or plated. No reinforcement is needed.

Minor scrapes, scratches, dents that do not puncture the bottom rail, and inward deflection of the bottom rail that doesn’t exceed 3/4” with no punctures or cracks are acceptable. Same as 9 years and newer except the bottom rails can have up to two sections per rail. Welding of bottom rails is acceptable. On Vans or Reefers, cuts at or above the floor line that are less than 12” long can be welded. Cuts below the floor line that are less than 48” can be welded. On plate vans, Cuts 1 ½” above the floor line and above the lowest panel rivet line can be welded if it is less than 48” long. Cuts that are below the floor line and are less than 24” long can be welded. All welds must be reinforced below the welds at least 2 cross members each way. Any welds 12” or longer must be approved by the ROM before starting.

Same as 10 years and older except damage that doesn’t compromise the safety or the ability for the trailers to be used as a storage trailer may be left unrepaired. Any questions should be directed to the ROM for direction.

Minor scrapes, scratches, and dents are acceptable as long as they don’t pierce the door skin. Door molding must be repaired if it is cut or broken, if the door core is exposed, or if the door does not seal. Door molding can be sectioned as long as the door core is watertight, and the splice seals the door when closed. Minor cuts less than 4” in the door skin can be sealed with silapreme. Minor cuts less than 8” in the door skin can be patched with an aluminum patch and aluminum drive rivets. Any damage where the door core is broken or is no longer watertight requires door replacement or a section. Sections must start from the top or bottom and not be more than 24”. Sections can be a complete width section or a corner section and should be installed with buck rivets or stainless fasteners to ensure they will not rust. Cracked or broken OHD panels must be replaced.

Minor scrapes, scratches, and dents are acceptable as long as they don’t pierce the door skin. Same as 9 years and newer except doors with excessive oxidation at the bottom can be skinned (overlaid) with white aluminum panels. Panels should be attached with aluminum drive rivets and sealed behind the panel, not around. Storage trailers doors must be in working order and watertight.

Minor cuts and holes less than 3” x 3” that do not expose a post are acceptable. Plywood lining with holes or cuts larger than 3” or that expose a post must be replaced. The full sheet must be replaced with BC grade or better plywood. Scuff must be attached with no sharp edges. Scuff may be sectioned with the same type of scuff as long as steel splices are overlapped and welded, oak splices are butt joined on a post.

Interior reefer lining can be repaired with Ridge Thermo patch kits. No limit to size or location. When there is extensive scuff damage, 18” or 24” white poly scuff can be used to overlay the damage. Scuff should be secured to the side posts with countersunk with non-rusting screws. The top should be sealed with white Silaprene. When needed, both sides should be completed.

Trailers can have damaged Plywood and/or Scuff as long as it doesn’t impede the use of the trailer.

All suspension areas must be straightened or replaced as necessary to be in good working order. Axles must be replaced if they are bent or have spindle damage or grooves. No spindles are to be replaced. Worn bushings must be replaced. Bent mud flap brackets must be straightened or replaced. Mud flaps with tears, cuts, holes, or cracks must be replaced with matching DOT approved flaps.

Trailers must be safe to be transported to and from the customer’s location.