Problem with Flip Over Hitch

[jelag]

We have been using the Flip Over hitch in our 04 Dodge dually pulling a large trailer... . This is the goose neck style hitch either rated at 25 or 30K lbs...



We had the truck into the lube center and I commented to the guy to make sure he lubes the U-joints... . and he noticed the missing, loose bolts the first time... . something we would not have checked... ... .



The truck now has 185K miles and every 25 to 30K miles we've had to get under the truck and replace the damaged bolts that have either broken or worked loose...



We have moved from the stock grade 6 bolts that came with the kit and now use grade 8's and use longer than normal bolts with lock washers, and loctite. We still see these fasteners either breaking or working loose.....



We use this same hitch on 2 other trucks... but neither of the other trucks works as hard as this one does..... but we're watching them just the same. .



So what this thread is intended as a ""heads up"" to those of you that use these hitches... ... It only takes a minute to check these and be safe.....

 

[Hoefler]

Re-drill the holes to the next size bigger. The holes are too big for the bolts and are allowing the hitch to walk. Then get some bolts that are long enough to have the shoulder match the thickness of the material that you are clamping together. If the thickness of the hitch, bed, brackets etc. equal 1/2", then the shoulder should be 1/2". Add 1 flat washer to get clamping force. The idea is to have very little to no threads in the brackets you are bolting together. The threads are smaller diameter than the shoulder. I would use fine thread grade 8 flange bolts and torque prevailing flange nuts, washers built in. If you can not find flange bolts and nuts, use fine thread nuts and bolts with grade 8 flat washers. Torque prevailing nuts are a crimped nut that do not have a nylon insert. They are a one time use nut and should be replaced when removed.

 

[troll3193]

I would agree on the grade 8 crimped nuts. I used these to attach my tow hooks. they also were shouldered nuts and bolts. Tough stuff. Hard to put on, but not likely to work themselves loose.



Bryan

 

[jelag]

Hoefler



Just after I made this post... my son, a mechanical engineer..... gave me the exact same advice..... and to be honest... . I hadn't thought about upgrading the size of the bolts..... even though we've just put it back together..... I think I'm going to take it apart and make the changes... ...



Thanks for the insight... .



Jim

 

[Hoefler]

Glad I could help.



Ed