Anyone have any problems with a Reese Dual Cam installation? I must be unlucky or something.We just got or new rig about 2.5 months ago and just got back from our 3rd trip with it, a 12 day, 1600 mile fun fest. On the trip, in PA we noticed one of the cam bolts (the big one that is connected to the cam) was bent. I contacted the local Camping World (CW), determined I could get there safely and they said it had been installed incorrectly. The explanation made sense and they said they would take care of it as it had been installed by a CW back home. Everything looked good and actually felt better on the road after we left. Next campsite, no problems, but the following one, the two front bolts that secure it to the frame of the camper had disappeared... I called the CW and discussed it and determined I should be fine going back home, but may want to get it welded on. Spoke to them today and expressed my concern about voiding any warranty (back home and back to work) and the service manager said negative on welding it as would void the warranty... They will cover it getting a solid bolt through the frame to the other side of the cam bracket, so I am good, but has anyone else had this kind of luck with these? BTW, the guys really did take care of us, which I appreciated.

Definitely stuff isn't right. Are you talking about the bolt that holds the snap up bracket...? It should not be tight - 1/4 turn only after the bolt contacts the frame. Didn't seem right to me, but ours has held perfectly since I installed it 8 years ago.Nothing should or needs to be welded if installed correctly.Hopefully you will get it dialed in. It's a good hitch once it is.

Never had a problem with mine but I installed it. Someone cannot follow directions

We just started out in the fall, so kinda newbies also.With this past weekends latest trip we are at about 1600 miles with no troubles. And part of yesterdays drive home was through some sketchy construction zones -- everything looked good when I unhooked this evening.

So welding the bracket to the frame will void the warranty but drilling holes right through it for a bolt won't??

Reese Dual Cam installation | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

anaro
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
stahrmcgee wrote:
anaro wrote:
Camping world installed my brackets backward and screwed the entire set up on my hitch, I never was able to properly seat the cams on mine because the misaligned where they put the hitch on. It was not pretty. Jbarca, rongratz and several others on here caught the error and helped me fix it. You will learn a lot about your hitch by trying to fix it yourself. Dialing it in is a painful process but worth it in the end.

Looking at my original setup, the brackets were installed correctly, just too far away from where the cams needed to be for cinching up. This forced the cam bolt shafts to be all the way extended leaving the bolt shaft to take all of the stress and torque instead of the amount they should take when about 1/3-1/2 out. This is the original problem, which I am not sure the installation tech took into account considering the size of the trailer and the associated weights. The new, further back location is better for the stresses involved, and I will admit that the trunnion bars are seated better, however the mounting bolts are now the issue...

I wouldn't have a problem repairing this myself, however, given it is covered, I would prefer to give them a chance to stand behind their product and workmanship.

Just a bit of bad luck i guess.

Mine had that issue also. Never could quite get my cams to seat right.
RedRocket204
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
I highly recommend etrailer.com for parts but they also have good videos:

etrailer.com - Dual Cam High Performance Sway Control Installation video
stahrmcgee
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
anaro wrote:
Camping world installed my brackets backward and screwed the entire set up on my hitch, I never was able to properly seat the cams on mine because the misaligned where they put the hitch on. It was not pretty. Jbarca, rongratz and several others on here caught the error and helped me fix it. You will learn a lot about your hitch by trying to fix it yourself. Dialing it in is a painful process but worth it in the end.

Looking at my original setup, the brackets were installed correctly, just too far away from where the cams needed to be for cinching up. This forced the cam bolt shafts to be all the way extended leaving the bolt shaft to take all of the stress and torque instead of the amount they should take when about 1/3-1/2 out. This is the original problem, which I am not sure the installation tech took into account considering the size of the trailer and the associated weights. The new, further back location is better for the stresses involved, and I will admit that the trunnion bars are seated better, however the mounting bolts are now the issue...

I wouldn't have a problem repairing this myself, however, given it is covered, I would prefer to give them a chance to stand behind their product and workmanship.

Just a bit of bad luck i guess.
stahrmcgee
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
dodge guy wrote:
maybe I`ll take some pics of the install so all the dealers can see the proper way to install one and take notes or use them for reference!

:B
Huntindog
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
This thread illustrates perfectly why I often recommend that newbies start out with a standard friction control bar.
With those you can miss the setup by quite a bit, and still get some benefit out of it... Naturally The better the setup, the better it will work.
The DC pretty much forces one to get the setup good... If the same effort was out into a friction control bar system, there would be a lot more favorable comments on them.

OTOH, I have noticed that the people that gravitate towards a hitch like the DC, are more likely to be the hands on type, that will stick with it until it is right.
anaro
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
Camping world installed my brackets backward and screwed the entire set up on my hitch, I never was able to properly seat the cams on mine because the misaligned where they put the hitch on. It was not pretty. Jbarca, rongratz and several others on here caught the error and helped me fix it. You will learn a lot about your hitch by trying to fix it yourself. Dialing it in is a painful process but worth it in the end.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jun 20, 2014
My brother just bought a new used Hybrid and he asked me what would be the best hitch. I told him I really liked the DC. I gave him the part number for the proper one for his trailer and the dealer said "oh you don`t need that" he wanted to sell him one of the new Reese hitches with the new friction pads that the WD bars ride on. I said the DC is far superior than those so he insisted on it and the dealer finally gave in and ordered it. I believe it`s all because they can be time consuming to install! We are going to install it this sunday. maybe I`ll take some pics of the install so all the dealers can see the proper way to install one and take notes or use them for reference!
mosseater
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2014
It's true they can be finicky to install and set up. Not rocket surgery, but like most things, if done incorrectly you're going have hair pulling. Since I got mine dialed in with help of those on this board, I'm very pleased with it's performance. It's quiet, easy to use and maintain, and seems to do an excellent job of stabilizing the rig. I can understand how some folks hate them, though.
stahrmcgee
Explorer
Jun 19, 2014
Thanks to everyone for the replies. All 4 of the bolts were snug, but apparently loosened on the road. I will be working with a local RV dealer that I trust since CW will cover the repairs. We shall see.

On the positive side (always has to be one, right?), the camper is a great fit for the family. While on the trip we took the Rockwood Build tour in Indiana (Elkhart county) and it was well worth the hour off the path. Spectacular tour. Go see where your camper was born if you can, you will be amazed.
CampingN_C_
Explorer
Jun 18, 2014
I can't understand how they get installed incorrectly, but it happens ALL the time, the dealer REALLY screwed mine up. The installation is MUCH easier than the set-up of it.
It can take a lot of trial and error to get dial in. Personally I've yet to get mine as good as it was with my old rig.
I would only bolt it through the frame if I had bushings inside the frame rail to keep structural integrity.