Reducing the concentration of stress in the small areas of
the frame may often minimize or reduce the occurrence of frame failure. The
following information may assist in such a reduction:
| • | Use particular vehicles only for the purpose for which they were
designed. |
| - | Do not overload the vehicle. |
| - | Load the vehicle evenly. |
| - | Avoid any localized overloading. |
| - | Do not operate the vehicle on any extremely rough terrain. |
| • | Adhere to the following recommendations when repairing a frame
and when mounting a body, or any other equipment, onto a frame: |
| - | Avoid any sudden changes in the section modulus. |
| - | Do not drill any holes in the frame rail flanges. |
| - | Space the holes in the web section of the rail at least 13 mm
(0.5 in) apart. |
| - | Use existing holes whenever it is possible. |
| - | Do not cut the holes with a torch. |
| - | Do not cut any notches in the rails. |
| - | Do not weld on the flanges. |
| - | Do not allow more than four holes to exist on the same vertical
line of the web. |
| - | Place any hole in a reinforcement at least two times the material
thickness away from the edge of the reinforcement. |
