BenK wrote:
Some very poor to dangerous advice on technology based questions or issues by
NON techie folks.
Most times the school of hard knocks did teach the advisors correctly or close
enough...but too often...way off base to argue against engineering principles
which are based on the world's "laws of physics" that we all live in
On designed in safety factor...there are many to anything as complex as automotive.
There are compounding that even some designers of 'that' part of the assembly
does NOT know of (from other components/assemblies within the whole)
Myopia and out of context is often too common here and other Internet freebie
forums
That is only part of 'why' you bounce back and forth between, as
it maybe or is between two different aspects that has their own dialed
in margins (safety factors and design spec)
I dropped out on my last straw thread...how tight should a tow ball
be tightened to. Simple and just a tow ball right?
Missed by the poor advice is that is a key component in the food chain
of towing
Advice from makes not matter...just use a pipe wrench...the designers
over design and that +400ft/lb torque spec is okay to ignor...gluing
on the nut...to just use a cotter pin to hold the nut without much
torque...
Pure danger to anyone who might listen and follow.
This thread is way above that 'torque on the tow ball' thread, as
that ball torque is just a component in the food chain of towing...but
it is a critical link of that food chain.
Again, technology to non technology savevy folks that argue the merits
of technically based advice
Ron has way more patience than I...as I've put this forum off for a
while and just cruise by occasionally...but had to comment on this one
He has put up with way more disingenuousness than I've been able to take
I read your post a few times as I believe it was directed to me or at least people you think are like me. I'm not sure I understand your point. If I understand you correctly, people should never question existing technology or science. If people did not question why things are the way they are, technology would never improve or move forward. There are people in professions that operate within known parameters to produce items or goods and there are people within those professions looking for new cutting edge technology to make improvements or find new products. In keeping with the spirit of engineering related to rv towing, look at the recent WDH adjustment for front end rise. People questioned the way is has been done for years, engineers looked at it and the rules were changed. People accept the new changes, but it was the people and/or engineers that questioned the existing method to make the change. As far as designs that could use improvement, look at the Reese dual cam system (sorry to those of you that love it). This in my opinion is one of the worst designs ever. They want to fix a lobe in a stationary position and they use all moving parts to accomplish that. In my opinion, Equal-i-zer did better job with the L-bracket, but what were they thinking with that pin to hold the bar on the bracket. Also, why don't they suck it up, say you need to drill a hole in your A-frame so that the L-bracket can be bolted so it doesn't move. Even though each of these hitches have their problems, we use them because it is what is available.
Sorry for the rant if your comment was related to something as simple as manufacturers recommended torque setting.
I'm not sure anyone was advocating doing something that is wrong or unsafe in this thread.
On Edit: OK. Sorry Ben. I have to put my foot in my mouth. There is an active thread 5 pages long about whether or not a hitch ball should be greased.
I'm going back to the trips, locations, destinations (or whatever they call it) forum. Good luck :)
