Forum Discussion

huskyfan68's avatar
huskyfan68
Explorer
Jul 04, 2019

Bent hitch.....?

So I traded in my 5th wheel for a small travel trailer.... Come to find out the receiver (which i last used years ago for my old TT) had gotten beat up a bit (and rusty)- I can no longer slide the receiver bolt to hold the hitch in the receiver because the holes for the safety chains look like they are bent out?? (why I dunno?)- it looks like some pretty strong metal- Any way to bent the area where the holes for the safety chains back?- I will try and post a pic- I got around this by using a smaller bolt to hold the hitch on- (I don't want to keep doing that since it's not as strong)
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jul 04, 2019
    “Bent back” metal has the same strength as unbent metal? But if’n It looks strong...
  • Lakeland_Bob's avatar
    Lakeland_Bob
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2019
    Bending the metal back stands a good chance of weakening it. Better in the long run to replace it.
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    Jul 04, 2019
    Take a sledgehammer and hit the chain loops.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2019
    huskyfan68 wrote:
    I got around this by using a smaller bolt to hold the hitch on- (I don't want to keep doing that since it's not as strong)


    You are joking..... right???
  • BarabooBob's avatar
    BarabooBob
    Explorer III
    Jul 04, 2019
    Just use a 5/8"drill bit and clean the hole up. Do not use a smaller pin. Someone's life may depend on it.
  • OleManOleCan's avatar
    OleManOleCan
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2019
    huskyfan68 wrote:
    So I traded in my 5th wheel for a small travel trailer.... Come to find out the receiver (which i last used years ago for my old TT) had gotten beat up a bit (and rusty)- I can no longer slide the receiver bolt to hold the hitch in the receiver because the holes for the safety chains look like they are bent out?? (why I dunno?)- it looks like some pretty strong metal- Any way to bent the area where the holes for the safety chains back?- I will try and post a pic- I got around this by using a smaller bolt to hold the hitch on- (I don't want to keep doing that since it's not as strong)


    Take care of yourself... BUY ANOTHER HITCH.

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