Andersen Hitch Failure

Denny & Jami wrote:

Me Again wrote:
Back to the break away cable. It appears to be routed to the drivers front corner of the bed and it appears that the driver was turning to the right. I still think it was pulled out and locked the brakes and the hitch collapsed. Thus the tug the driver reported.

Chris

If that's what happened the hitch should still be able to take that force without failure of any kind, I check my disk brakes all the time by applying the brakes manually and what about a panic stop when the trailer brakes lock.

Denny

So what is your theory? Hitch appears shiny new! Hitch was not torqued down correctly, allowing the front drivers side to raise up putting pressure on the passenger rear corner when the trailer brakes dynamited when the emergence pin pulled out. Chris

Me Again wrote:
Back to the break away cable. It appears to be routed to the drivers front corner of the bed and it appears that the driver was turning to the right. I still think it was pulled out and locked the brakes and the hitch collapsed. Thus the tug the driver reported.

Chris

If that's what happened the hitch should still be able to take that force without failure of any kind, I check my disk brakes all the time by applying the brakes manually and what about a panic stop when the trailer brakes lock.

Denny

"So...
How does one know that the hithch separated "as" the trailer was rolling over instead of "before" the trailer started to roll? "

Common Sense degree says the force of the RV going over separated the hitch, very easy to tell by just looking with my Common Sense EYE.

" the Andersen crush test demonstrates both direct pin weight and forward/aft forces"

Sorry but you will never have fore and aft at the same time while towing. The video is a joke because it only demonstrates force being directed straight down. My degree is "Common Sense".

Me Again wrote:
Back to the break away cable. It appears to be routed to the drivers front corner of the bed and it appears that the driver was turning to the right. I still think it was pulled out and locked the brakes and the hitch collapsed. Thus the tug the driver reported.

Chris

My same thought also . My gut feeling is the guy wasnt telling the truth about the speed it actually happened at, IMHO it was much more than just easing thru the campground. Don't have any thing to backup my opinion other than many a mile with an AUH.

It's obvious that it failed because he was not towing with a diesel.

Finally we are back to square one and a very logical answer. You got my vote

Back to the break away cable. It appears to be routed to the drivers front corner of the bed and it appears that the driver was turning to the right. I still think it was pulled out and locked the brakes and the hitch collapsed. Thus the tug the driver reported.

Chris

WTP-GC wrote:
then they don't have a basic understanding of physics and triangular stiffening.

Yep, the pictures really show how good the triangular stiffening works in the real world of push/pull use even at the reported slow speed. The rail version would be much stronger under the conditions that caused this failure.

fj12ryder wrote:


"Fortunately, as the trailer went over on its side, the B&W hitch — which comes in two pieces: a base on the bottom and a coupler on the top — separated in two."

As is mentioned several times, the hitch separated as the trailer was rolling over, not before it rolled over.

As I said, a big difference between what happened to the Anderson hitch that was destroyed with no damage to trailer or truck.

So...
How does one know that the hithch separated "as" the trailer was rolling over instead of "before" the trailer started to roll? And what would have happened if it stayed connected? Perhaps no roll over?? See, it's a giant hypothetical that one must twist if they want it to fit their narrative.

For about the millionth time, if someone doesn't understand how the Andersen crush test demonstrates both direct pin weight and forward/aft forces, then they don't have a basic understanding of physics and triangular stiffening.