Getting Rid of my Dual Cam system
I really like this system but it's such a darn pain. It's so complex no one, anywhere, has any idea how to adjust it or install it. I just had it transferred to a new trailer and new bars also were...
Forum Discussion
JBarca,
Thanks for the help, everything you stated, I already stated to the dealer.
I did find out why it broke and told the dealer. I have to take pics. They mounted the cam on the A frame at the wrong point. The manual states the main bolt of the cam bracket should be 19 3/8" to the center of ball catch when using Trunnion bars. It should be 18" when using round bars. They installed it at 18".
So instead of making my A frame look like swiss cheese, I told them that we could rectify the problem by them getting me a new round bar head and new 1200 lbs round bars. I just don't want to drill any more holes in my new trailers A frame.
I pointed out to them if it would had been installed at 19 3/8", the cam would had to been angled further down, avoiding contact with the bar.
I've been very sick for 2 weeks and when I haven't been in bed, I've been typing on here. Finally getting over it but I've been the sickest I can remember.
So when I can, I'm going to print out some pictures showing the installation problem.
Highlighting further, the manual states for a 6" frame, from the top of the frame, the cam should be at roughly 12" to 13". To acheive this in the manual picture, they show 7 chain links. What I have is 5 chain links at 10" which is way off from the correct installation.
Now that I can prove they installed it wrong and was the reason it broke, I think I can force them to replace my head with the round bar head and new round bars. Since I don't want more holes in the frame, that's why I'm going to round bars.
After seeing how far off the cam was installed and how the bar was putting stress on it, in a turn, I can see how the head broke. As I said before, I was no where near an angle where my propane tank cover was even near so my angle at that time could had not been great enough to hit off of the ball threads. What I believe happened was that the T end of the trunnion bars most likely twisted after it broke out the top socket, and hit the ball threads then.
On a side note, I emailed Blue Ox and called them. I have had a response from their engineer trying to explain to me how they can acheive good weight distribution and sway control without having any tilt adjustement in the head or any friction adjustment in the trunnion bars.
I also received an email from their vice president wanting to discuss the operation of the new head system. So I will listen to what he has to say. I have to make a phone appointment with him so I have yet to do that.
If I can be convinced the Blue Ox is a good system, I may just buy that hitch system and be done completely with Reese. Even though the dealer installed it wrong, it's just to complex of a system since I have yet to find anyone who knows how to adjust it or even install it.
Although I'm not an important man, my time is limited and I just don't have the time to screw around with this hitch anymore. I just want it done. I have way to many things going on in my life that are more important. It's bad enough now, that I can't even fit any camping trips in, so the one we have planned in a month will likely be it for the year. A grand total of 2 camping trips this year is far from my likeing, but we're lucky to have found the time for these.
Thanks for your help again, I really appreciate it.
Thanks for the help, everything you stated, I already stated to the dealer.
I did find out why it broke and told the dealer. I have to take pics. They mounted the cam on the A frame at the wrong point. The manual states the main bolt of the cam bracket should be 19 3/8" to the center of ball catch when using Trunnion bars. It should be 18" when using round bars. They installed it at 18".
So instead of making my A frame look like swiss cheese, I told them that we could rectify the problem by them getting me a new round bar head and new 1200 lbs round bars. I just don't want to drill any more holes in my new trailers A frame.
I pointed out to them if it would had been installed at 19 3/8", the cam would had to been angled further down, avoiding contact with the bar.
I've been very sick for 2 weeks and when I haven't been in bed, I've been typing on here. Finally getting over it but I've been the sickest I can remember.
So when I can, I'm going to print out some pictures showing the installation problem.
Highlighting further, the manual states for a 6" frame, from the top of the frame, the cam should be at roughly 12" to 13". To acheive this in the manual picture, they show 7 chain links. What I have is 5 chain links at 10" which is way off from the correct installation.
Now that I can prove they installed it wrong and was the reason it broke, I think I can force them to replace my head with the round bar head and new round bars. Since I don't want more holes in the frame, that's why I'm going to round bars.
After seeing how far off the cam was installed and how the bar was putting stress on it, in a turn, I can see how the head broke. As I said before, I was no where near an angle where my propane tank cover was even near so my angle at that time could had not been great enough to hit off of the ball threads. What I believe happened was that the T end of the trunnion bars most likely twisted after it broke out the top socket, and hit the ball threads then.
On a side note, I emailed Blue Ox and called them. I have had a response from their engineer trying to explain to me how they can acheive good weight distribution and sway control without having any tilt adjustement in the head or any friction adjustment in the trunnion bars.
I also received an email from their vice president wanting to discuss the operation of the new head system. So I will listen to what he has to say. I have to make a phone appointment with him so I have yet to do that.
If I can be convinced the Blue Ox is a good system, I may just buy that hitch system and be done completely with Reese. Even though the dealer installed it wrong, it's just to complex of a system since I have yet to find anyone who knows how to adjust it or even install it.
Although I'm not an important man, my time is limited and I just don't have the time to screw around with this hitch anymore. I just want it done. I have way to many things going on in my life that are more important. It's bad enough now, that I can't even fit any camping trips in, so the one we have planned in a month will likely be it for the year. A grand total of 2 camping trips this year is far from my likeing, but we're lucky to have found the time for these.
Thanks for your help again, I really appreciate it.
