Gooseneck hitch question

[TGriffith]

I installed the hitch in my truck yesterday and of course ran into 2 bolts that I couldn't torque, does anyone know if they make a "low profile" torque wrench? The hitch is a B&W 1306R and these are the 2 7. 5" main bolts that connect the hitch to the frame and I'd rather be safe then just go with the "good and tight" method



any thoughts?

a Gear Wrench that has a torque setting would be perfect =)

 

[ACerf]

I have a B&W hitch on my truck and I don't remember running into that problem. If they are the outside bolts we took off the wheels. One side at a time. I don't know if that helps you any.

 

[TGriffith]

I have a B&W hitch on my truck and I don't remember running into that problem. If they are the outside bolts we took off the wheels. One side at a time. I don't know if that helps you any.

I had to do that when I installed a B&W in my 99 2500, for the 3rd gen the brackets are completely different. This bolt goes through the frame from the bottom and the nut is next to the bed. Here's a pick from the instructions the bolts I'm having issues with are marked in red.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I installed the hitch in my truck yesterday and of course ran into 2 bolts that I couldn't torque, does anyone know if they make a "low profile" torque wrench? The hitch is a B&W 1306R and these are the 2 7. 5" main bolts that connect the hitch to the frame and I'd rather be safe then just go with the "good and tight" method

any thoughts?

There are probably tools available, but did the same thing Sat. morning. I am capable of more than 80 ft. lbs. of torque, and it would be difficult to break a 1/2" bolt with just a 10" ratchet.

Crank down on it and forget about it! If it worries you, check it after the first tow.

 

[terrywerm]

Would you be able to get at the nut if you used a crow's foot wrench? Since it would make your torque wrench longer you would need to calculate how much to reduce the torque setting. You wouldn't need to reduce it much, maybe 5 ft-lbs at the very most.

 

[TGriffith]

Would you be able to get at the nut if you used a crow's foot wrench? Since it would make your torque wrench longer you would need to calculate how much to reduce the torque setting. You wouldn't need to reduce it much, maybe 5 ft-lbs at the very most.

A friend of mine also suggested the crows foot wrench but neither of us were sure what the change to the torque seeting would be, I'll look into it more.



thanks

 

[CumminsBu]

This should help with the math on the torque wrench with a crows foot.

www.norbar.com/torquewrenchextensioncalculator.php

 

[jelag]

I've got this hitch on 2 trucks... . used to use the atwood turnup ball but kept wearing them out..... Couldn't get more than 75K miles before the atwoods would be so loose we were scared of them.....

On an 04 that has 230K miles, we've done 2 - 3 safety checks where we found some of the bolts missing and or loose... . (out of at least 30) We'd always replace them with grade 8 fasteners and finally got fed up with it..... we finally used locking nut where we could... . but what really did the trick for us was to use red loctite on all the fasteners.....

To be fair an honest to the hitch, we pull a 22K trailer most of the time... . (95%) we just pulled the bed on this truck..... and laid a straight edge along the metal strap that is closest to the cab..... its deflected down in the center at least 3/8" from the banging around this truck and trailer has taken... . It's now getting a flat bed and being put into in town service and a newer truck is now on the road...

 

[TGriffith]

This should help with the math on the torque wrench with a crows foot.

www.norbar.com/torquewrenchextensioncalculator.php

Perfect!!

Thanks.



Terry

 

[JHardwick]

Mine is just welded in the old fashioned way :-laf