Weight Dist Hitch failure

[jesseannie]

Hooked up my trailer on Friday to head out for the weekend. I made it about 1/2 mile and felt/heard a clunk! I got out and the chain bracket/support for the chain end of my tension bar on the trailer had failed.
The single bolt that wedges it to the inner part of the frame was bent and the clip was hanging.
I was able to get a new pair for the trailer and I installed them and did not miss out on a great camping weekend.
Now however I am wondering if there is a better bracket or installation method for the trailer A-frame.
Have any of you bolted or welded the chain bracket on? The original bracket had holes drilled in it the new one does not.
Welding would make it more difficult to change if needed in the future.
What do you think??
jesseannie

[Bigbird65]

"The red paint is a great idea. I never can remember how many links to leave hanging."
That was my exact reason for painting.
The brand is Husky sold by Camping World.

[Doug33]

what brand is this?

[TNGW1500SE]

Bigbird65 wrote:

jesseannie wrote:
The original looks just like this.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/round-bar-weight-distributing-hitch-1000-lb-tongue-weight/42238

I use the same kind and have never had a problem with it. As was said, you only need to lightly tighten it down.

The red paint is a great idea. I never can remember how many links to leave hanging.

[Bigbird65]

jesseannie wrote:
The original looks just like this.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/round-bar-weight-distributing-hitch-1000-lb-tongue-weight/42238

I use the same kind and have never had a problem with it. As was said, you only need to lightly tighten it down.

[BarneyS]

The purpose of that bolt on the inner side of the bracket is simply to keep it from sliding forward or backward as the chains pull it when the bars slide forward or backward when making a turn. That is why the instructions usually say to only tighten it down a turn or less after contact. Doing more than that will distort the bracket and make what happened to you more likely.

Yes, many members have bolted the brackets on. This is especially necessary of you have a heavy tongue weight (1200+ lbs). The pull of the chains will sometimes bend the bracket so it fails just as you have described. Bolting the bracket on solves the problem in most cases. Also make sure you have at least 5 links of chain between the snap up brackets and the bar. This allows room for the chains to move without damaging the bracket.

There have been quite a few posts on the subject. See these for some that were posted by member Turk2500 who bolted his on his trailer. Those should give you some ideas on the cause and the cure.:)
Barney

[jesseannie]

The original looks just like this.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/round-bar-weight-distributing-hitch-1000-lb-tongue-weight/42238