This is just info to an very old reply on this post...not trying to call anyone out and i am sure it has been covered many times. This is also just from MY experiance. Take it however you feel like.welding on a truck frame is a no no.
If it was a good idea why didn't the manufacturer do it? it would have been easier than rivets.
I would not trust the structural integrity of the trailer frame under a 10k truck.
The only reason frames were not/are not welded is for the speed of build(rivets take less time then a good weld), and that the companys that built these things would have had to hire trained welders...any monkey with a days training can install a rivet.
It is true that a welded frame will not flex as well as a riveted frame, but the majority of your flex will be at the cross-members with only a small portion in the actual frame rails. There should be no problem with the spring mounts.
I was a chassis fabricator before the military, I have many sub 9 sec drag cars and to many 4x4's to remember running around washington state with my welded frames that have never has an issue.
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