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Topic: hitch receiver wear and repair (Read 446 times) previous topic - next topic

hitch receiver wear and repair

Doing pre trip inspections for the Q noticed the hole for the hitch pin had excessive wear. Planned on welding a plate on each side with 5/8" holes. After talking to Scott (DSD) decided to use his idea of putting bushings in instead. One day shipping for bushings and a clamp device to stop play in the receiver Drilled out the wore out hole to 3/4" welded in 3/4" od to 5/8 id bushings. The welding shrunk the bushings so had to drill them back to 5/8". Now on to the next pre trip stuff.

1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: hitch receiver wear and repair

Reply #1 –
Hitch pin holes wear from insert moving with each start/stop. Hitch anti-rattle clamp is highly recommended to keep insert from moving and stressing hitch pin and holes.

Re: hitch receiver wear and repair

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Hitch pin holes wear from insert moving with each start/stop. Hitch anti-rattle clamp is highly recommended to keep insert from moving and stressing hitch pin and holes.

That is the clamp device I mentioned in my post. It came at the same time as the bushings.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: hitch receiver wear and repair

Reply #3 –

Chuck are these the clamps you are installing?  I've been using these for years to eliminate any slop in the tow bar assembly.  Amazon.com: Hitch Tightener for 1.25" and 2" Hitches LIBERRWAY 304 Stainless...

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2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: hitch receiver wear and repair

Reply #4 –

Similar, but should do the job.

Amazon.com: AUTO Hitch Clamp Anti-Rattle Stabilizer

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1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: hitch receiver wear and repair

Reply #5 –
Quote from: craneman –
Similar, but should do the job.

Amazon.com: AUTO Hitch Clamp Anti-Rattle Stabilizer
That's the one we bought at a FMCA rally. Works good. I noticed an immediate difference.
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Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: hitch receiver wear and repair

Reply #6 –
Years ago, the main selling hitch tightener was branded Hitch Vise HT-3 Hitch-Vise Anti-Rattle Clamp by Hitch Rider Racks Searching on Hitch Vise now mainly brings up a bench vise that fits a receiver, which BTW, is a good item to carry. We also find hitch pins come in different diameters, even seeing hitch pin package with optional sleeve to use this smaller pin in a larger hole. Our bike rack required us to use a smaller diameter pin.

Re: hitch receiver wear and repair

Reply #7 –
I have used the one like Woody has on my last two coaches. Tightened everything right up. Works very well.
Keith and Dawn Hudson #18766
Current- 1999 U295 DFGE 40ft. - Build #5405
Coach Name: 4BUS4US
Previous- 2008 Nimbus CE338: 40th Anniversary Edition- Build #6486. 
Toad: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

 "I know something about a lot of things..a lot about something's..and everything about nothing "

Re: hitch receiver wear and repair

Reply #8 –
Stepped Weld Washer 5/8" Bolt Hole 1/4" Tall Step For Reinforcing 1/4" Thick...

Amazon.com: CURT 45340 Forged Trailer Hitch Ball Mount

Amazon.com: Ohio Diesel Ps 4" Inch Bent Trailer Hitch Pin x 5/8" Diameter...

2010 Phenix 45' Failed hitch inspiration

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BZHZ5ST/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Re: hitch receiver wear and repair

Reply #9 –
Scott that plate is stamped with a weight limit.  Did you do that or is that piece commercially available for that application?
Also, been wondering since you do a lot of welding on your rig, do you follow the full weld preparation check list that's floating around on the forum and have you ever had any negative consequences?
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: hitch receiver wear and repair

Reply #10 –
I absolutely will recommend following all the recommended precautions whenever welding on a vehicle. That being said I like to remove the power cable on the batteries and ground them out. I also like to attach an earth ground "chain" to the frame and spread out on the ground. Ive never had an issue myself, I do prefer to attach the welding ground wire directly to the welded part. On all the non coach vehicles Ive welded on Ive never had an issue myself. I will say that when I purchased my coach it had been stored under a hay shed and both the engine ECM and the HWH computer were both cooked I suspect from a static discharge event but am only guessing. Brad (RIP) had towed a heavily loaded 4X4 truck and IMO tore his hitch off from side loading. The web should support and prevent it from being overloaded.