Another B&W hitch question

[KEnglish]

I didn't want to hijack the previous thread. I have a B&W companion hitch and love it but have some concerns about the metal around the draw down bolt hole and the U bolt holes distorting when I torque the bolts. My hitch has only been in and back out of the truck 4 or 5 times and the distortion seems to be getting worse. I've checked the torque with 2 different torque wrenches so I'm apparently not over torquing the bolts. Is this normal? Thanks for your input.

 

[Bob V]

What are you torquing them to? that looks like WAY too much!

 

[SCosgriff]

Mine doesn't look like that and I have been using it for about 6 years. Had it in an out dozens of times. I torque to 40 ft-lbs.

 

[KEnglish]

Per my instructions I torque the draw down bolt to 40 ft/lb and then the U bolts to 80 ft/lb. I've compared 2 torque wrenches and they read the same.

 

[Bob V]

That is a LOT more than 40# on the top bolt!

 

[JCasper]

That is a LOT more than 40# on the top bolt!

X2, 40ft lbs would not do that.

 

[CumminsPower98]

I have had two of these now and never had any distortion to speak of. I even lubed the threads, which would equal a higher torque value and still very little deflection. There must be something wrong with those torque wrenches or something. Like the others said 40 ft lbs is not that much and will not bend that thick steel like that. As for the u-bolts I never torque those, I just tighten them up by feel and have never had any trouble at all and I have towed many thousands of miles commercially.

 

[RJOL]

I've had my B&W Companion for 3 years and have taken it in and out many times. There is no way that that damage was from 40lbs torque. Something is wrong, and I don't think it is the B&W...

 

[champspa]

you need to straighten that back and put a spacer in there and re-torque.

 

[CumminsPower98]

If a spacer is placed in there it will defeat the purpose of this bolt. It's meant to draw the hitch down tight to the bed floor, then the u-bolts are tightened, taking the bulk of the force holding it in place.

 

[Pavemen]

ever get the trailer's *** end too high or low and the pinbox put a weird load on the plate?

 

[CumminsPower98]

I never had any problems. There is plenty of pivot in all directions for normal use.

 

[starkmr]

I'll echo what the others have said, there is way too much torque on those fasteners!!! I have never had that problem on mine.

 

[jelag]

I took a magnet and stuck it to the side of the hitch... . and when I'm not using the wrench it stuck to the magnet... and use a 7/8" (right size??) ratcheting box end... I pull down the vertical bolt so its snug and add 1/8 - 1/4 turn... .

Since the 4 nuts on the U-bolts are self locking with the nylon insert I just make them a little tighter than the vertical bolt using the same wrench... . usually 1/4 - 1/2 turn... I do have to align the U-bolt until the nut comes tight..... I don't have the damage to my hitch that you seem to have...

The rubber pad on the bottom of the hitch is good, and I have a sprayed in bed liner... every time I look into the bed of the truck I look to see if the feet of the hitch have moved... . I have no problem... . If I had a painted bed I might have to really torque the vertical bolt but what I do seems to work... .

During the summer my hitch is in and out of the truck 2-4 times a month as I change back from the 5er's or goose necks.

 

[starkmr]

I took a magnet and stuck it to the side of the hitch... . and when I'm not using the wrench it stuck to the magnet... and use a 7/8" (right size??) ratcheting box end... I pull down the vertical bolt so its snug and add 1/8 - 1/4 turn... .

I believe it's 3/4", an articulating, ratcheting box end is just the ticket for this task.

 

[jelag]

starkmr

For a guy who looks like he rides a Harley your not a bad guy... . I know that one side of that articulated wrench is 7/8 and I'll admit the other side might be 3/4 as the bolts are 1/2... . I inserted my fingers before my brain... ...

I've ridden my wing twice to Anchorage... . a great trip...

 

[KEnglish]

Update

Well all of you were right. I screwed up not realizing how much difference there is between dry torque and lubricated torque. I had put anti sieze on the draw down bolt on first install and torqued it to 40# (unknowingly way over torquing it). Each successive removal/installation at 40# distorted it a little more until it looked like my pictures. When I learned my mistake, I contacted B&W and told them what I'd done to see if they thought it was structual damage or just cosmetic. And here's the real reason for this update: They thought it was just cosmetic but said "Not only do we want our hitches to work perfectly, but we want them to look good too. So we're sending you a new base unit!" So, not only do they stand behind their products but they covered this stupid customer's mistake. I'm completely blown away by thier incredible customer service and wanted to share it with everyone. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[JWaugh]

i too have had my hitch bend at the verticle bolt. i have had my hitch in and out several times before with no problems but this last time the threads were getting tight so i lubricated them with antiseize and that is when it bent . same thing with the ubolts. i believe that the cause is from the additional torque applied to the bolt no longer having to overcome frictional resistance. i have tried to find the manufactureers spec as to whether or not to install the fasteners dry or lubricated. after seeing the results i expect it is a dry torque spec. therfoe i am now purchasing 2 new u-bolts and contemplating repairing/reinforcing the area that bent.