en the hook up Bracket. Is that how it is?
When I bought my trailer at the dealership the mechanic said just hand tighten the hook up Bracket. He said the hook up brackets will not migrate or move around the A frame or tongue during towing bec...
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The OP is talking about the bolt on the inside part of the snap-up bracket. It is a single bolt that contacts the A frame. I should be tightened only enough to keep the snap-up from moving around when there is no tension on it and it will also help keep the brackets from sliding forward or backward when the WD bars move during a turn.
The movement of the WD bars forward and backwards during a turn is the reason for the minimum of 5 links under tension requirement of most manufacturers. If less than 5 links are used, there is not enough length to allow the WD bars to move without dragging on the snap-up brackets and causing them to slide on the A frame.
Another reason for not over tightening that bolt is that it can deform the snap-up bracket making it prone to bending when the chains put unusual force on them such as entering a gas station, a steep driveway, or going over a RR track rise.
There have been numerous posts about that happening, especially with heavy tongue weight trailers that require 1200-1500lb WD bars.
In those cases, the hitch manufacturers recommend thru bolting the snap-ups to the A frame using the two bolt holes in the brackets.
Post with picture of this.
Barney
The movement of the WD bars forward and backwards during a turn is the reason for the minimum of 5 links under tension requirement of most manufacturers. If less than 5 links are used, there is not enough length to allow the WD bars to move without dragging on the snap-up brackets and causing them to slide on the A frame.
Another reason for not over tightening that bolt is that it can deform the snap-up bracket making it prone to bending when the chains put unusual force on them such as entering a gas station, a steep driveway, or going over a RR track rise.
There have been numerous posts about that happening, especially with heavy tongue weight trailers that require 1200-1500lb WD bars.
In those cases, the hitch manufacturers recommend thru bolting the snap-ups to the A frame using the two bolt holes in the brackets.
Post with picture of this.
Barney
