Forum Discussion

Idahoan's avatar
Idahoan
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013

Broken Equalizer bolt!

Never even thought it could happen, but it did. Went up camping this week, got trailer all set up and unhooked. Hitch looked fine, didn't notice anything. Went for a scenic drive the next day and when I got back to camp top 3/4 inch bolt that holds hitch head to shank was missing. Retraced my route and could only find half of bolt. It had snapped right at the end of the threaded portion.

Wondering if it was already broken but held in by force while towing, then vibrated out without trailer hooked up??
Toy Haulers
  • Bad_Brad's avatar
    Bad_Brad
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2013
    Definitely scary!! I had a similar situation occur this past Easter. My hitch is about 5 years old. I know the problem occurred when I descended down a road and into a gutter then up onto the road. The bind between the truck and trailer broke one of my bolts...yes, 3/4". I immediately replaced both with new grade 8 hardware.
  • BobWanderer's avatar
    BobWanderer
    Explorer
    Aug 11, 2013
    I would guess someone over torqued it with an impact wrench, I have a 1/2" drive impact that will do over 600 foot pounds, way too much even for a 3/4" bolt.
  • Dirtclods's avatar
    Dirtclods
    Explorer II
    Aug 11, 2013
    I can back from the desert and while unhitching I notice the ball mount was loose!!
  • tinner12002's avatar
    tinner12002
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2013
    That's food for thought for all of us!! That's why it's always a good idea to check your equipment every time you use it.
  • Racerx11's avatar
    Racerx11
    Explorer
    Aug 09, 2013
    If it broke at the thread, it would be useful to see a very close large pic of that break to see how the crack propogated.
    I agree with replacing with grade-8.
    Actually, this post has scared me into purchasing new bolts/nuts and throwing the old ones in the tool box as spares.
    Thanks !!
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    Aug 09, 2013
    I've had this happen several times on my old hitch. I finally put in a big aircraft style bolt I found in my dad's junk pile. Never had the problem again.
  • Idahoan's avatar
    Idahoan
    Explorer
    Aug 09, 2013
    Bedlam wrote:
    Unless you were towing over the rating of the hitch head, I would suspect over torquing of the hardware or material quality issues. Is this a new setup or have you had it for a number of years?

    I never had hardware fail, but my receiver pin hole did wallow out on the OEM hitch after about 5 years of towing. I welded thick plates to the outside of the receiver tube and drilled a fresh hole.


    I've had the hitch since 2005, so it's not new. It is 12,000 lb rated, my setup is just over 8,000 so I know it wasn't overloaded. I figure just the random material failure.

    Made the 30 mile journey to the nearest town and the local Napa did have a Grade 8 bolt of the same length. They didn't have any washers, but did scrounge up a nut. Now that I am back to civilization I will change out the other bolt also.
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Aug 09, 2013
    Unless you were towing over the rating of the hitch head, I would suspect over torquing of the hardware or material quality issues. Is this a new setup or have you had it for a number of years?

    I never had hardware fail, but my receiver pin hole did wallow out on the OEM hitch after about 5 years of towing. I welded thick plates to the outside of the receiver tube and drilled a fresh hole.
  • lincster's avatar
    lincster
    Explorer
    Aug 09, 2013
    Holy Crap!!!!! That is 1 big bolt!!!!!

    I would recommend replacing it with a Grade 8 bolt and putting Blue or Red loctite on when you reinstall it.
  • BobWanderer's avatar
    BobWanderer
    Explorer
    Aug 09, 2013
    WOW thats scary !!
    I would say your correct about the bolt staying in the shank until the load was off it.

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