RE: [VAL] Hitch problems

[Dick Kenan <as5368@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

David:

         The cracking receivers have been going on far longer than the last 
couple of years, and they did NOT first occur with a Hensley 
hitch.  Indeed, several percent (I forget the exact number) of trailer 
hitches at the 2000 Florida State rally were found (by DOT, who inspected 
all hitch receivers free) to have either cracked welds or incipient cracks, 
or loose bolts.
         GM is a major offender, although Ford and Dodge had their 
problems, too; the difference seems to be that Ford and Dodge have moved to 
fix the problems...GM may have done so, but if so, it was more slowly and 
rather recently.
         Doug Showker is the "Safety Ambassador" for Reese, and he has 
encountered a large number of OEM receivers with these problems.  Jim Moore 
has been doing safety inspections for the Ga Unit (owns Top O'Georgia 
Airstream park) for several years, and found several badly cracked 
receivers at the Ga State rally, some loose bolts, and a number of 
under-rated hitch balls.  One receiver he saw was just hanging on by about 
one inch of metal - ready for a disaster.
         This is a widespread problem, and I repeat, it was not initially 
found on receivers of tow-ers using Hensley hitches.  It does, as you say, 
need wider attention.  It's easy to inspect the receiver before starting 
out.  Also, torquing the bolts to specs (I think around 75-80 in-lb) is an 
easy job.  And, the rating on the hitch ball is stamped right on the top; 
should be 10,000 lb, IIRC, for a class 4 hitch.

- Dick
(5368)