Forum Discussion

Kampfirekid's avatar
Kampfirekid
Explorer
Jul 10, 2013

Reese Dual Cam Head Replacement

Has anyone had luck with replacement of a faulty hitch head by Reese? I called Reese today regarding the upper lip of the trunnion socket on the drivers side bending on a 45 degree bend toward the truck. It looks like a good bump would break the lip off.
Frankly, the guy I spoke with wasnt that congenial, and said he doubted it was ahead they had issues with years ago, which makes me wonder. He said the issue was five, six years ago. Our trailer is a 2011. So three years. Did the selling dealer pull a fast one?
Im hopeful Reese will send a replacement head. I cant wait to send it in, have them review it, and send a replacement. We will miss a trip or two, and I doubt this head will hold.
Any thoughts? Anyone with experience here?

16 Replies

  • I had an issue last year with my hitch head. They said that it probably wasn't a hitch head issue, but probably a setup issue. I had already purchased another head (we were on the road when it broke) and they asked what they wanted me to do. They sent me a new hitch head. When I tried to get the ball off my old hitch, I discovered what Reese was talking about. It was a setup issue with how the dealership set it up. But sense Reese sent me another head (and I already had another shank) I carry a complete spare in the front of the trailer to guarantee I will never have another issue.
  • I agree with Mosseater. I had the same problem. I think the difference was the casting number changed on the head that is a thicker casting. Reese is good to deal with. I had no problems. They also sent me a replacement head with the old casting number and told me to keep it. I now use 1500# trunnion bars, and the head has no problems handling the weight.
  • I could give you a full run down on my issue, which sounds identical to yours if I hadn't lost my Webshots account and all the pics that were on it.

    Mine original head did the same thing as yours with 1100 lbs of tongue. The replacement head did the same thing on the very first tow! I finally got resolution from Reece (Cequent) when J Barca tuned in here and pointed me in the right direction. Long story short (if I recall correctly) is that some heads were too thin in the the support area of the trunnion pin. Even though they are the same part # and are supposedly the same part, THEY ARE NOT the same part! I forget the exact details beyond that, but suffice it to say, if you get the correct head, it won't be bending and breaking out. Perhaps John Barca will pop in with one of his mind-bendingly accurate, informative posts and get you on the right track.

    I actually had very good dealings with Reece once I got on the right track. In fact, they mistakenly sent me a hitch head in addition to the one I bought locally and told me to "just keep it as a spare". Doesn't get much better than that. The thing to keep in mind on issues like this is that they don't have to be nice to you, and tend to treat customers as they are treated. Generally speaking, once the screaming and demanding starts, things go downhill from there. Grandma used to say you can catch more flys with honey than vinegar. I've found that to be correct more than once. Not saying you were less than cordial on the phone, I wasn't there. Just something to keep in mind when one is already miffed about a widget that doesn't work right (cell phones, for example!).

    I still have the new hitch head out in the garage. I can get you the numbers off of it if you like.
  • I did the same thing. I configured my hitch to run without the Dual Cam. I am actually running two friction bars and much prefer this system. Dual Cam = one frustrated owner.. in my experience.

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah
  • Thanks for the reply. I actually looked at the same one, same site. I considered spending the $133 if Reese wont take care of it, but think I may consider jumping up in TW class if I am footing the cost.
    I weighed the tongue at 1160, which is too close to the 1,200 hitch rating. Frankly, the hitch setup handles like garbage compared to the Equalizer I moved and configured for three different trailers and seven trucks. I am not sure if I am interested in spending $133 for this setup that is probably close to taxed and has no control, or $500 to ditch all the problems. Bigger problem in changing is the configure program on the Equalizer site doesnt show a WDH for my weights.
  • Hello,

    I experienced a hitch head failure with a Husky hitch. What happened was the previous owner did not grease the trunnion sockets and the lips literally wore down to the point where the trunnions on the WD bars ripped out of the hitch head.

    Husky said that it was an obsolete hitch (10 plus years old) and basically did nothing.

    What I did was take the 14k ball off the Husky hitch head and trashed everything except the shank.

    I needed basically an entirely new hitch. I went to a local "small town" RV dealership and they had a "Pile of hitches" that they accumulated from used trailer trade ins, etc. I found a Good Used Draw-Tite Trunnion hitch and 1200 lb WD bars for a few bills. I was happy to pay that for what I got. I wanted the bars with the crooks so I could use my Dual Cam sway control if I wanted to.

    If I were in your shoes I would buy this... assuming that your Bars are in good condition.

    Replacement Hitch Head

    You could order tonight and have it in just a short time.

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah