Bolts Failing on Equalizer Hitch
I have an Equalizer Hitch with 1400 lb bars. Today I replaced the third pair of bolts and nuts that attach the head to the shank They are grade 8, 3/4" in diameter and 5" long. The threads failed on t...
Forum Discussion
Hannibal wrote:
Pretty sure every bolt on the hitch should be grade 5, note grade 8. 8 is stronger but also more brittle with shock loads. Grade 5 will stretch or bend to be more forgiving of the stress a hitch sees where a grade 8 can snap or chip threads.
Back in 2007 when I bought my Equal-i-zer Progress Mfg was actually using all Grade 5 bolts so I was somewhat surprised a few years later to see they had switched to Grade 8. One would assume that Progress knew what they were doing but for the reasons you mention perhaps they should have just left it as is, with Grade 5.
