Shock absorber attachment bracket bent - How bad is this?

[LongLakeMN]

We think our 2020 FC RBT ran over some tire tread scraps at highway speed last month. The low point drain valve handles and the curbside real stabilizer were damaged. We took "Mabel" to the dealer for repair (and some minor warranty issues). They found this:


It appears the shock absorber attachment bracket is bent. When I talked with the service advisor, they were still trying to figure out the solution (taking it to a welding shop was the tentative plan). Obviously we'd get a new shock too.

This type of damage is WAY above my limited mechanical aptitude. How worried should I be? Is there other long term damage I should think about?
Will they need a bracket from Airstream or will a good welding shop be able to fix the existing bracket? How unsafe was it driving with this damage?

Not knowing about this damage, we've driven about 1,200 miles. Would this have contributed to my perception that sway was MUCH more noticeable (I attributed it to high side winds).

Thanks in advance for either calming my fears or sending me into a fit of depression!

[Wazbro]

The bent shock, more then anything else probably did contributed to your perception that sway was MUCH more noticeable. It may have been making the trailer bounce unevenly from one side to the other. Possibly the alignment could be off contributing to it also.

A good welding shop should be able to fix the mount.

I would worry about the axle alignment being off from the damage. Probably be better to find a shop that can do a proper alignment on torsion axles first and see if they can do the welding with expertise on axles in mind while doing it. Instead of just going with a regular welding shop. Also they might be better then an Airstream dealer at checking for additional axle damage.

[Action]

If the shock is damaged replace it.
The bent bracket, just bend it back into position and it will be good

Action