Draw-Tite Round Bar Head Cracks - Long w/Pics
In my towing history, I have used Draw-Tite and Reese hitches since the mid '60s. I have been very satisfied with their performance and durability. This post is not intended to blast or slam the products, but to highlite a recent problem and compliment Cequent on their response to the problem.
I have been towing with a Draw-Tite round bar WD assembly for over 10 years. Recently, after a 1 month trip back to MN and down to CO and home, I found cracks and excessive wear in the head and bars when cleaning up the hitch for repainting. The cracks are where the tubes that the bars fit into meet the "frame" metal of the head. This allowed the force of the bars to wear into the botom of the frame.
I contacted Cequent and then e-mailed pics of the damage after a brief conversation with a very courtous rep. I have included parts of the e-mail and some of the pics that were involved:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Here are pictures of the hitch head showing the cracks and "wear" that has occurred, that I talked with you about earlier today. More pics can be taken if needed.
History: 3202 (750) hitch assy was purchased June of 2003 for use on a 2004 Pioneer 19T4 travel trailer. That trailer had a GVWR of 6100#, and a tongue weight of approx 532# (published). We added a Dual Cam HP sway control in July of 2004. In June of 2010, we purchased a Jayco 24FBS trailer that had a GVWR of 7000# and a tongue weight of 580# (published). I have scaled it at 780-790# loaded. After one tow with the 750# bars, I got a set of 1000# bars from my son, which were about 2 yrs newer than my original bars. I also have his orig head (not used), which is the same as mine. I have lubed both the ball and the bars before each trip. We have used each trailer approx 10-12 times each year here in Washington State. We just recently completed a 4 week, 4900 mile trip to the midwest and back home.
I have probably cleaned and painted the hitch head twice in the 10 years we have had it, the last time was when switching to the 1000# bars. At that time I can't say I saw any cracks or excessive wear. I noticed the cracks and wear this morning during a cleaning for repainting after our midwest trip. The bars also show more wear than I have normally seen. I am also including pics of the 750 bars that I still have, and the wear on those is pretty much what I have seen on the 1000's until today. I am leaning towards the problem showing up or occurring during the trip in August.
As to installation, since the Jayco is somewhat higher than the Pioneer, I have the head at max tilt, and the cam arm chains are at 7 links. When hooked up, on a level surface, my bars do tilt up from horizontal a small amount. I have been towing with an Excursion this season, before that a Suburban. Both vehicles had the ball height set to tow either of the trailers in a level stance with the chains adjusted to bring the front fender height back to within 1/2 to 3/4" from the unloaded height. Other than the 4 week "interstate" trip, we generally tow on 2 lane roads to the mountains in our area and up a few miles of unpaved, Forest Service roads.
Pics are from 1st to last: rt side tube base, left side tube base, rt side from bottom, left side from bottom, left side upper, rt side upper, rt side full view, 1000# bars from back, from front, and the last 3 are a left side 750# bar.
I would appreciate your opinion on what has occurred with this head, and what can be done about this as to warranty issues. I am available at all times for phone conversations and check e-mail fairly regularly.
Thank you in advance for your help in this."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
On trips to the mountains before the Aug trip back east, I did not suspect or see anything that would have alerted me to these cracks. I lube the bars at the wear points, and did not notice any excessive wear. As stated in the email to Cequent, the cracks and the additional wear was noticed when cleaning the head after we returned from our Aug trip. We hit many poor roads and freeways!! Some of the bridge approaches and "exits' were terrible, sharp and very shocking to the suspension and hitch. I25 through Colorado Springs was one of the roughest few miles I have ever seen. It is my feeling that at sometime in the trip the cracks occured, and the excess wear started. No proof, but I can't think of anything else in our trips that would have had the capability of causing these cracks.
Cequent, after reviewing the pics and another phone conversation, replaced the whole assy with a new 1200# round bar kit. They were not totally sure of the cause, basically felt that the hitch was overloaded!! BUT, they honored the lifetime warranty and provided a new assy. Again, the rep was very courtous and helpful during this exchange. Only thing I had to do was return the head and bars (prepaid) for their inspection.
Now my intention is not to start a rambling thread (with the usual extra snipes and slams!!), but to inform all of you of this problem that I had and the positive response of the manufacturer. I would recommend any of you out there that have a round bar assy with the welded steel head to inspect closely for possible cracks.
I know this post will elicit many responses, and I will try to answer any questions that may be asked. Again, please take this as a positive informational post.
Gerry
I have been towing with a Draw-Tite round bar WD assembly for over 10 years. Recently, after a 1 month trip back to MN and down to CO and home, I found cracks and excessive wear in the head and bars when cleaning up the hitch for repainting. The cracks are where the tubes that the bars fit into meet the "frame" metal of the head. This allowed the force of the bars to wear into the botom of the frame.
I contacted Cequent and then e-mailed pics of the damage after a brief conversation with a very courtous rep. I have included parts of the e-mail and some of the pics that were involved:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Here are pictures of the hitch head showing the cracks and "wear" that has occurred, that I talked with you about earlier today. More pics can be taken if needed.
History: 3202 (750) hitch assy was purchased June of 2003 for use on a 2004 Pioneer 19T4 travel trailer. That trailer had a GVWR of 6100#, and a tongue weight of approx 532# (published). We added a Dual Cam HP sway control in July of 2004. In June of 2010, we purchased a Jayco 24FBS trailer that had a GVWR of 7000# and a tongue weight of 580# (published). I have scaled it at 780-790# loaded. After one tow with the 750# bars, I got a set of 1000# bars from my son, which were about 2 yrs newer than my original bars. I also have his orig head (not used), which is the same as mine. I have lubed both the ball and the bars before each trip. We have used each trailer approx 10-12 times each year here in Washington State. We just recently completed a 4 week, 4900 mile trip to the midwest and back home.
I have probably cleaned and painted the hitch head twice in the 10 years we have had it, the last time was when switching to the 1000# bars. At that time I can't say I saw any cracks or excessive wear. I noticed the cracks and wear this morning during a cleaning for repainting after our midwest trip. The bars also show more wear than I have normally seen. I am also including pics of the 750 bars that I still have, and the wear on those is pretty much what I have seen on the 1000's until today. I am leaning towards the problem showing up or occurring during the trip in August.
As to installation, since the Jayco is somewhat higher than the Pioneer, I have the head at max tilt, and the cam arm chains are at 7 links. When hooked up, on a level surface, my bars do tilt up from horizontal a small amount. I have been towing with an Excursion this season, before that a Suburban. Both vehicles had the ball height set to tow either of the trailers in a level stance with the chains adjusted to bring the front fender height back to within 1/2 to 3/4" from the unloaded height. Other than the 4 week "interstate" trip, we generally tow on 2 lane roads to the mountains in our area and up a few miles of unpaved, Forest Service roads.
Pics are from 1st to last: rt side tube base, left side tube base, rt side from bottom, left side from bottom, left side upper, rt side upper, rt side full view, 1000# bars from back, from front, and the last 3 are a left side 750# bar.
I would appreciate your opinion on what has occurred with this head, and what can be done about this as to warranty issues. I am available at all times for phone conversations and check e-mail fairly regularly.
Thank you in advance for your help in this."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
On trips to the mountains before the Aug trip back east, I did not suspect or see anything that would have alerted me to these cracks. I lube the bars at the wear points, and did not notice any excessive wear. As stated in the email to Cequent, the cracks and the additional wear was noticed when cleaning the head after we returned from our Aug trip. We hit many poor roads and freeways!! Some of the bridge approaches and "exits' were terrible, sharp and very shocking to the suspension and hitch. I25 through Colorado Springs was one of the roughest few miles I have ever seen. It is my feeling that at sometime in the trip the cracks occured, and the excess wear started. No proof, but I can't think of anything else in our trips that would have had the capability of causing these cracks.
Cequent, after reviewing the pics and another phone conversation, replaced the whole assy with a new 1200# round bar kit. They were not totally sure of the cause, basically felt that the hitch was overloaded!! BUT, they honored the lifetime warranty and provided a new assy. Again, the rep was very courtous and helpful during this exchange. Only thing I had to do was return the head and bars (prepaid) for their inspection.
Now my intention is not to start a rambling thread (with the usual extra snipes and slams!!), but to inform all of you of this problem that I had and the positive response of the manufacturer. I would recommend any of you out there that have a round bar assy with the welded steel head to inspect closely for possible cracks.
I know this post will elicit many responses, and I will try to answer any questions that may be asked. Again, please take this as a positive informational post.
Gerry
