Excellent article...
I do something similar that is also very helpful, and that is carrying Tek5 self-tapping metal screws. As a contractor, I used to hang red iron and would use these Tek screws to fasten 16ga purlins to 1/2 thick I-beam. Sounds crazy, but these screws will go thru some really thick iron with no pre-drilling. I always carry a cordless drill anyway, so having a 5/16 nut driver bit allows me to use the drill to install the screws. A Tek screw installed properly is supposed to be as good as a 1/2 inch long bead of weld. I also carry a few pieces of flat bar that I can basically use as a band-aid by placing it over the break in metal and screwing both ends.
Two trips back, brother-in-law was driving thru west Texas with us and the fender on his camp trailers broke loose at the weld. Luckily we had the self tapping metal screws and made a repair that was probably better than the crap weld the factory had. At least these type repairs will be good enough to finish the trip and then weld later when you get home.
I also find that most camp trailer frames are relatively thin angle iron with spotty welds. My Forest River made "off-road" camp trailer had horrible welds on the frame and while I never had to make a field repair on it, I was definitely prepared to.
The bolts are a great idea and the Tek screws are great because they self drill and are very versatile and only require a cordless drill to install. VERY cheap insurance...
I also carry a Sawsall with metal blades, so I can cut the flat bar as needed, but if you don't carry a saw, just pre-cut some pieces at home and it wouldn't hurt to just go ahead and bend some 90 degree pieces 2-3" on each side to use if a weld breaks on a perpendicular piece that would require a 90 degree bracket for repair. Also, since the frames are so thin, if possible, I would put a double piece behind the repair and sandwich the thinner metal between the two thicker pieces of flat bar...
Example of where a 4" long piece of flat bar and a few self tapping screws can get you out of a bind. If you have a crack that isn't all the way across, drill a hole at the end of the crack and that will help stop the crack from continuing on.
