Broken Snap-Up Bracket

[Woolaroc]

As I was unhooking today I broke the pipe hook (don't know the exact name of this piece on the bracket) off. Has this happened to anyone else. Kind of shocked that this occurred.



Anyone know where I can get a replacement for cheap? The bars I have are Pro Series, but I'm not sure that's what these brackets are. Are they fairly universal?

[wrvond]

Woolaroc wrote:

campigloo wrote:
Do you mean lift the truck before you put tension on the bars? Yes. I lift my truck waaay up to put tension on the bars or when I release them. Makes it easy with very little snap when removing.

Yes I mean lifting the truck, I don't think I'm doing too much of it currently.

Do you mean lifting the truck up to take tension OFF the bars, thus making it easier to engage and disengage the snap-up bracket?

The Reese instruction manual specifies lifting the hitch 6 to 8 inches using the tongue jack before connecting or releasing the chains.
If you have to go much higher than 8 inches you may be putting too much tension on your bars.

[pappcam]

I lift the truck enough so that I can almost do the brackets without the bar. An electric tongue jack is the cat's arse for doing this.

[Bob_Olallawa]

Woolaroc, yes use the tongue jack after you attach the tongue to the ball to raise the rear of the truck, which makes it easier to snap the bars in place or remove them when unhooking (before you release the tongue from the ball). Raise the truck enough to remove most of the pressure from the bars, depending on the weight of the tongue, start with about 6 inches and work up from there if needed.

[Woolaroc]

campigloo wrote:
Do you mean lift the truck before you put tension on the bars? Yes. I lift my truck waaay up to put tension on the bars or when I release them. Makes it easy with very little snap when removing.

Yes I mean lifting the truck, I don't think I'm doing too much of it currently.

Do you mean lifting the truck up to take tension OFF the bars, thus making it easier to engage and disengage the snap-up bracket?

[campigloo]

Do you mean lift the truck before you put tension on the bars? Yes. I lift my truck waaay up to put tension on the bars or when I release them. Makes it easy with very little snap when removing.

[Woolaroc]

Bob/Olallawa wrote:
Do you use the tongue jack to take some pressure off the spring bars before setting or releasing? I have bent that piece before because I forgot to take some pressure off the system first.

I do take some off, but now I'm thinking that I haven't been taking enough off. Whenever I release it's been very violent, but after watching a lot of videos it looks like everyone is able to do this fairly easily. I didn't get the standard break over bar that comes with the kit so I'm using a longer pipe, it's a cinch to get hooked up but has always been scary unhooking. I'll try taking a lot more weight off next time. Should it lift the springs on my rear truck wheels when I jack it down?

[Bob_Olallawa]

Do you use the tongue jack to take some pressure off the spring bars before setting or releasing? I have bent that piece before because I forgot to take some pressure off the system first.

[Woolaroc]

Ryan sent a pm to you, thanks!

They were on the trailer when I bought it used so don't know where they came from.

I don't think welding would be a good idea. The metal had a lot of pits in its core where it broke, looks like it was cast.

[Bull_Rider]

It would be an easy fix for a MIG welder. How hard were you pulling on the pipe when it let go? I wonder if they shouldn't both be reworked or replaced.

Do you have a buddy with a welder, a six pack should cover the repair.

Good Luck...

[ScottG]

If you bought them from eTrailer.com they may help you out.

[elivi8]

I have 2 from a curt hitch kit that I don't need anymore. They should fit your setup easily. PM me if you are interested.

Ryan