Check that hitch

[TexBohunk]

Took a small weekend trip with the TT. While unhitching after arrival at out destination noticed a small amount of play in the hitch ball on the WDH. I installed the ball about 5yrs ago with a 12in crescent wrench and a small pipe wrench (yeah i know). Guess rough roads finally started to loosen it. Found a local hitch shop and in a matter of seconds with and impact was good to go at no charge. Just posting this a a reminder to always check your setup and safety equipment before, during, and after your travels. Safe travels to all!

[owenssailor]

dodge guy wrote:
Do you grease your hitch ball?

Yes.

I place a ball cover over it when not hooked to the trailer.

Did this for 5 months last winter. The hitch was never off the truck. No grease problems with our clothes.

[TexBohunk]

dodge guy wrote:
Do you grease your hitch ball?

I used to put a then layer of white lithium grease on the hitch ball before hitching, but have stopped using it. Got tired of getting grease on pants legs. Have switched to wd40 and liquid wrench, less mess and easier clean up.

[mosseater]

dodge guy wrote:
Do you grease your hitch ball?

Uh oh! Now you did it.

Yes, 450 ft/lb and Loctite 242 is your friend. That, my friends, is tight!

[dodge_guy]

Do you grease your hitch ball?

[owenssailor]

3oaks wrote:
Once I torque all the hitch hardware to the specified values, I mark each nut and bolt head with an artist brush and a dab of bright yellow paint extending to frame or hitch bracket. Just a little slash mark of paint is all it takes. I can then tell at a glance if any nut or bolt had come loose. The paint marks will no longer be aligned.

I use bright red nail polish on all the nuts in the hitch assembly. Makes it so easy to check that they have not moved.

[irishtom29]

3oaks wrote:
The paint marks will no longer be aligned.

Boilermakers and ironworkers call those "match marks". I suggest you make them with a paint stick, less fussing than with brush and bottle.

[3oaks]

Once I torque all the hitch hardware to the specified values, I mark each nut and bolt head with an artist brush and a dab of bright yellow paint extending to frame or hitch bracket. Just a little slash mark of paint is all it takes. I can then tell at a glance if any nut or bolt had come loose. The paint marks will no longer be aligned.

[Oasisbob]

Often the ball will rotate when the nut is tightened. Thanks much. Will check mine

[Hondavalk]

I believe if your shank is 1 1/4" diameter the torque spec is 450 ft lbs

[DutchmenSport]

Good advise!

[naturist]

Good that you found it before bad things happened! There's a good reminder, folks, to check EVERYTHING before, during, and after. No such thing as not enough checks for trouble. Remember there's a reason for Murphy's Law: Anything that CAN go wrong, WILL go wrong. Sooner or later. And the trick is to catch it before total disaster strikes.