Massey16 wrote:
Snip...
The shank that came with the hitch is not adjustable as you can see from the picture above. Can I use this one instead?Yes, you should be able to use that one as long as you can get the old one off of the head. I was not able to see what it looked like in the picture other than it looked quite rusty. :W
Edit: I see you were asking if you could use the pictured shank and hitch head combined. Yes you probably can if the trunnions on the bars match up to the same size of the newer hitch head.
When setting the hitch up, I should take my measurements and get it all set up while leaving these loose?I would attach it as normal, draw up the bars so there is the required pressure on them but don't torque down the U bolts on the mounting plates completely. Leave them just a bit loose and drive around as I mentioned. Then when you stop in a straight line get out and tap them in the correct direction to center the bars on the cam. They will snap into place. Then torque the nuts on the U bolts all the way.
And then tap them into place? Just trying to get it all down before I attempt this.Yep!
Also, I know the bars may be light in the long run, but we don't put much in the camper and I doubt my tongue weight is near 750#. Only way to tell is to get it set up and head to a scale.
Lastly, anything to replace on these other than hardware? I was going to remove all the bolting, blast it all, paint it, and reassemble.
That is one possibility but you can also replace the brackets quite cheaply or use the ones that you already have from your old hitch. They are just the standard snap-up brackets.
Also, those bars should be ok IF you tongue weight is not above 750lbs but I would not rely on a guess for that. Most people are quite surprised when they actually weigh their rigs and find out the "real" tongue weight and total weight. I would get to a scale sooner rather than later.
Barney
