We are about to pick up a new TT within the next few days. We have the dual cam WDH setup which of course, requires drilling holes in the A-frame for the brackets. I can't really do that at the dealer and besides, I want to do an upgrade beyond just drilling holes into the A-fame and using the standard Reese thread forming bolts. I want to use the WDH without the cam arms installed to just get home.This means that I will have to remove the small U-bolts from the hanger bracket (that hangs from the chain and engages with the cam arm) and move it to the end of the spring bars. This will be the second time I've done this.My question is, if I re&re the nuts on the U-bolts once or twice, is that a bad thing? Should I be replacing the nuts and/or U-bolts? Maybe they come together from Reese anyway. The nuts seem to be a special self-locking type and I don't know if they can be re-used.Thanks.

i have been using the dual cam set up for many years and never drilled into the a frame at all. i have always just used the u-bolts with great success.Moderator edit by mistake. No editing was done. Sorry.

My buddy uses a DC and he too has had good success with U bolts.

You can reuse the self locking nuts without issue. Split lock washers can be an issue but the nuts are fine. When I bought my camper and Reese DC I wasn't comfortable with the dealer doing the install either and just hooked the chains to the torsion bars also. Once home I than installed the cams. Congrats on the new camper.

badboy368 wrote:i have been using the dual cam set up for many years and never drilled into the a frame at all. i have always just used the u-bolts with great success. You must have the old style Dual Cam that uses large U bolts to fasten the cam arm brackets to the A frame. The new style, which has been out for many years now doesn't use the U bolts but instead bolts directly to the frame.Barney

I believe the OP was referring to the U bolts that attach the chain to the hanger brackets.You are very smart to NOT let the dealer install the DC brackets! I had to learn that the hard way!

Reese dual cam WDH U-bolt question | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

Volkov
Explorer
Mar 07, 2014
Hitch shop totally botched mine years ago. Wish I had done my own but thought I would leave it to the pros given I didn't have the big oomph power tools. Even went with the hitch/axle shop who claimed they have done them before. Aligned wrong and damaged my frame. Not just from the second set of holes they ended up drilling after goofing the first time but also the pinched frame when they went nuts with the impact wrench. I still had to do lots to get it fixed properly after the fact and requires semi seasonal adjustments to keep everything from drifting. Works great tho.
JBarca
Nomad II
Mar 07, 2014
Hi Red,

The U bolts should be fine. The lock nut is sweged to create an tighter fitting nut. After several on and off's the swedge gets worn and may vibrate loose. Not at 2 times but many times.

That said, see how I solved the problem. I know over kill but I come from a high vibration machinery back ground... This is the same U bolt just on the DC chain plate. I cannot recall if you have 800# bars or 1,200. More room on the 800# for the lock washer between the nuts. Regardless, a double nut will fit to lock the main nut from moving if you have a concern on both size bars. The pic was to explain something else but it was a good close up of the double nuts.

Good luck on pick up day

John
Hondavalk
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
http://accessories.etrailer.com/search?w=reese%20u%20bolts
If you want new
myredracer
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
I just called them. Pretty helpful as you say. The tech. didn't seem overly concerned about it. He said *if* the nuts don't feel quite as tight as they were originally, I could just go to an industrial fastener place and get some quality locking nuts. He said the U-bolts should be fine. Guess I will see how it feels when I go to do the final re-install of the nuts. They did not have a listing for just the U-bolts and nuts.

Hondavalk wrote:
myredracer wrote:
Hondavalk wrote:
the U bolt nuts are designed to hold tight. When you install them on the U bolt the Reese manual only has you install them till you have 3 threads showing. They must be pretty confident they're not going anywhere.

Thx, but I'm wondering how many times you can remove and reinstall these nuts and if they lose some of their grip? They seem kinda like they are pre-staked (if that's the right term) and not like a nylock nut. Not that I'm paranoid or anything, but I sure would not want one to come off while in transit!

http://www.reeseprod.com/content/contactus.aspx
Give them a call. They are very helpful
Hondavalk
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
myredracer wrote:
Hondavalk wrote:
the U bolt nuts are designed to hold tight. When you install them on the U bolt the Reese manual only has you install them till you have 3 threads showing. They must be pretty confident they're not going anywhere.

Thx, but I'm wondering how many times you can remove and reinstall these nuts and if they lose some of their grip? They seem kinda like they are pre-staked (if that's the right term) and not like a nylock nut. Not that I'm paranoid or anything, but I sure would not want one to come off while in transit!

http://www.reeseprod.com/content/contactus.aspx
Give them a call. They are very helpful
myredracer
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
Hondavalk wrote:
the U bolt nuts are designed to hold tight. When you install them on the U bolt the Reese manual only has you install them till you have 3 threads showing. They must be pretty confident they're not going anywhere.

Thx, but I'm wondering how many times you can remove and reinstall these nuts and if they lose some of their grip? They seem kinda like they are pre-staked (if that's the right term) and not like a nylock nut. Not that I'm paranoid or anything, but I sure would not want one to come off while in transit!
badboy368
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
BarneyS wrote:
badboy368 wrote:
i have been using the dual cam set up for many years and never drilled into the a frame at all. i have always just used the u-bolts with great success.

You must have the old style Dual Cam that uses large U bolts to fasten the cam arm brackets to the A frame. The new style, which has been out for many years now doesn't use the U bolts but instead bolts directly to the frame.
Barney

aaaa didnt know that... but still good to know ....thanks
Hondavalk
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
the U bolt nuts are designed to hold tight. When you install them on the U bolt the Reese manual only has you install them till you have 3 threads showing. They must be pretty confident they're not going anywhere.
myredracer
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
You are correct. They're the small U-bolts that go into the end of the spring bar and connect to the chain like here: Reese replacement chains and U-bolts If you have the dual cam sway control, then the U-bolts mount on the special hanger bracket that hooks onto the cam arm.

Our tongue weight is just under 1,000 lbs and besides the possibility of a nut backing off, I'm wondering if holding strength is reduced? Maybe a little blue Loctite is all I need for extra insurance?

There is that other thread here right now where someone had a Reese DC WDH installed by his dealer and they totally botched it. I'm the only one allowed to touch ours... I won't even let DW or the dog near it. :)

CampingN.C. wrote:
I believe the OP was referring to the U bolts that attach the chain to the hanger brackets.

You are very smart to NOT let the dealer install the DC brackets! I had to learn that the hard way!
CampingN_C_
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
I believe the OP was referring to the U bolts that attach the chain to the hanger brackets.

You are very smart to NOT let the dealer install the DC brackets! I had to learn that the hard way!