New Andersen WD hitch

BenK wrote:

renojack wrote:
snip...Where does the claim that the stock Chevy hitch absorbs weight distribution come from. I had the hitch checked an all is in order as far as loose or craced welds.

What happens is that the receiver pin box assembly bends on the round cross bar to 'consume' WD forces till it reaches its limits...then it will transfer (distribute) the WD forces.---

Every receiver will undergo some degree of pitch-axis rotation (twisting) when subjected to the pitch-axis torque generated by a WDH. The amount of rotation depends on the receiver's torsional stiffness and the magnitude of applied torque.

A receiver does not "'consume' WD forces until it reaches its limits". The torque which is applied to the hitch head by the WD bars is transmitted to the receiver via the drawbar and further is transmitted to the TV via the receiver.

If the torque is great enough to stress the receiver's steel to its yield point, the receiver will experience some degree of permanent rotation. This might or might not be great enough to detect visually.

Even if the receiver is stressed to its yield point (but not as far as its ultimate strength), it does not 'consume' WD torque. It still will transmit whatever torque is generated by the WD bars. However, if there is enough receiver rotation, you might find you need to increase the rearward tilt of the ball mount or decrease the number of links under tension -- but you will be able to load the bars and transfer load.

So, actually, the receiver will transfer all applied torque until it reaches its ultimate strength. Then it will undergo excessive rotation with decreasing transfer of torque, and eventually will fail if the rotation becomes great enough.

If cracks develop at critical locations, then the amount of torque required to produce yield stress or ultimate load will decrease.

Ron