Dale.Traveling wrote:
For what it's worth the images are 10 minutes old and taken of a 12 year old Thor Hurricane 31D gas chassis coach. The hitch is bolted to extensions welded to the chassis. Lots of miles since 2011 towing a 2005 CRV and a 1998 Accord. Prior to spring of 2011 no idea what the first owner towed.
Initial impression of the failure image it really looks like at some point the hitch was overloaded for vertical weight somehow. Owners of gas chassis rigs really have to watch the weight when towing. There's a lot of frame and extensions behind the rear axle. Makes for a rather efficient level using the axle as a pivot point. Extensions also have to be considered.
The average rig is only rated for 500 lbs vertical. For horizontal weight it's a difficult target to meet. There are new production rigs with 8K lbs advertised tow limits but when you do the math it is very difficult to make the combined weight other than with a very light loading of the coach.
The mounting of the hitch with the plate on top of the frame sure looks better than what is on my brother's. Also the triangles (widgets) welded on the frame are additions that add strength that aren't on my brother's.
Question, are you using and extensions at the hitch or a riser to move the hitch up and down?