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need some WDH advice

dolbsss
Explorer
Explorer
Last year in an effort to save money after buying my first TT I bought a second hand Reese WDH. I'm unsure of the model but it is one of the ones that you insert the bars into the hitch from the bottom, turn it 90 degrees or so and it stays in place.

So...year 2. I've made enough tight turns with it that I'm sick and tired of it falling out, and it has even fell out while driving down the highway. I think there is a nick in the bar itself that doesn't allow it to lock tightly anymore.

Dilemma...Buy a new bar and hope it works or buy an entire new system and never have to worry about it falling out on tight turns in gas stations ever again. I love that people come up and tell me my WDH fell out but after the 7th person at a gas station I just want to scream, plus I'm annoyed that it is even possible with the system.

So, what would you do? LOL. Obviously I'm leaning toward a new one, but I'll hear you out if your opinion differs. If you think I should buy a new one what would you suggest? I have a 2015 2500 HD and a Jay Flight SLX 284BHSW(6800lbs dry).
14 REPLIES 14

lots2seeinmyrv
Explorer
Explorer
rbpru wrote:
I love my Blue OX but all brands seem to work if set up properly.

If your hitch is worn out replace it, it you think your hitch is worn out go to a dealer and find out for sure.


x2 We were very happy with our Blue Ox and no noise.

sgfrye
Explorer
Explorer
replace it

rbpru
Explorer II
Explorer II
I love my Blue OX but all brands seem to work if set up properly.

If your hitch is worn out replace it, it you think your hitch is worn out go to a dealer and find out for sure.
Twenty six foot 2010 Dutchmen Lite pulled with a 2011 EcoBoost F-150 4x4.

Just right for Grandpa, Grandma and the dog.

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Explorer
Replace with an all new system. Whatever you decide, get it all new.

Extremely easy to hitch, once installed, is the Equal-i-zer 4 point system... hint, hint! 😉

dolbsss
Explorer
Explorer
Ralph Cramden wrote:
You have some type of issue if the bars pop out on a standard Reese round bar WDH. I don't think you can make a sharp enough turn to get the bars to travel as far as it takes for the notch in the casting to align with the tang, at least without bending the poop out of the A frame or something else. They have to go more than 90 degrees in relation to the head to pull out, in the neighborhood of 100 to 110 degrees.


I would tend to agree with this. Only one side does it.

dolbsss
Explorer
Explorer
RockDodger wrote:
Those kind of WDH rigs are designed to fall out of their sockets at near close to 90 degrees (or perpendicular) to the rear of the vehicle so as not to damage the hitch or the trailer, or both. If you are anticipating extremely tight turns, you might consider removing the bars first (ie: backing into a tight spot). If you are moving forward, the only time this will happen is when making a full u-turn. That is something that you should never do with a trailer attached anyway.

You can change WDH rig, but you may damage your hitch or your truck by making continually tight turns with the WDH attached no matter what rig you use. Make sure the connector heads are greased well, and that the ball bearing retainers are working properly.


not from backing, actually from tight turn driving forward, and it will fall out randomly at times. Only one side continuously does this which is why I considered replacing one bar but it may be all jacked up inside the hitch and the problem might not just be the bar. It happens on tight turns driving forward in a gas station every time when I swing wide to line up for a pump. It shouldn't be a problem in this instance or so fellow RVers at pumps next to me have said. Oh and I take it off every time before backing into campsite.

Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Explorer II
You have some type of issue if the bars pop out on a standard Reese round bar WDH. I don't think you can make a sharp enough turn to get the bars to travel as far as it takes for the notch in the casting to align with the tang, at least without bending the poop out of the A frame or something else. They have to go more than 90 degrees in relation to the head to pull out, in the neighborhood of 100 to 110 degrees.
Too many geezers, self appointed moderators, experts, and disappearing posts for me. Enjoy. How many times can the same thing be rehashed over and over?

dolbsss
Explorer
Explorer
Terryallan wrote:
If it is that worn out. I would replace the whole thing.


that's my opinion at this point before posting

dolbsss
Explorer
Explorer
jimh425 wrote:
Is there a right and left one?


yes, left side continuously falls out but not the right

RockDodger
Explorer
Explorer
Those kind of WDH rigs are designed to fall out of their sockets at near close to 90 degrees (or perpendicular) to the rear of the vehicle so as not to damage the hitch or the trailer, or both. If you are anticipating extremely tight turns, you might consider removing the bars first (ie: backing into a tight spot). If you are moving forward, the only time this will happen is when making a full u-turn. That is something that you should never do with a trailer attached anyway.

You can change WDH rig, but you may damage your hitch or your truck by making continually tight turns with the WDH attached no matter what rig you use. Make sure the connector heads are greased well, and that the ball bearing retainers are working properly.
Terry & Marsha
2016 Ford F250 Super Duty 4X4 Super Crew
1987 Sunline Satellite T-2153

Northeast Illinois

Earl_E
Explorer
Explorer
Timtation wrote:
Andersen hitch will make you happy. Quiet, easy to hitch and it works.
. X2
2007 Northwoods Arctic Fox 32 5S Fifth Wheel used for fulltiming for several years--SOLD
2014 Sunnybrook 26rl to poke around the smaller parks in the great Southwest
2007 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Diesel
Prodigy brake control

jimh406
Explorer III
Explorer III
Is there a right and left one?

'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.

NRA Life Member, CCA Life Member

Terryallan
Explorer II
Explorer II
If it is that worn out. I would replace the whole thing.
Terry & Shay
Coachman Apex 288BH.
2013 F150 XLT Off Road
5.0, 3.73
Lazy Campers

Timtation
Explorer
Explorer
Andersen hitch will make you happy. Quiet, easy to hitch and it works.