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02-23-2016, 06:07 PM
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#61
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
No, it's not a good weld. It cracked in the HAZ (heat affected zone) which means the weld was not planned and executed properly.
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Maybe you should write Equalizer a new weld procedure.
__________________
The higher your expectations the fewer your options.
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02-23-2016, 07:28 PM
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#62
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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I would send the hitch back to Equalizer for a total metallurgical autopsy. I assume the weld was made robotically. If that's true and the weld process was poorly designed then there may be more than one cracked head out there.
But that's a very broad assumption without forensic analysis. It could be nothing more than simple metal fatigue, overloading, or a defect in the base metal.
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02-23-2016, 07:59 PM
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#63
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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My guess is it was welded up by a disgruntled employee with an axe to grind against management.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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02-23-2016, 08:47 PM
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#64
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4 Rivet Member
1973 31' Sovereign
Middletown
, California
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 424
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My opinion is that when the piece that now has the crack was bent into the " U " shape the outside of the bend was left in a stretched stress condition. Then when it was welded and the weld cooled the metal was stretched almost to the point of cracking. There should have been some stress reliving treatment such as heat treating when this part was made but maybe that step got missed this time. Maybe everybody went to lunch as the weld cooled and then ran the part through the stress relieving procedure later? Probably a manufacturing defect when it was made and a good metallurgy lab could tell what went wrong. If it was mine and I had to pay the freight to get it replaced I would weld it properly and expect to never have a problem with it again. There is still a lot of weld holding it together and since I don't usually go much over 55 when towing I would drive it to where the problem could be resolved. I would keep an eye on it to make sure the cracks aren't getting bigger. If there is so much force on that type of hitch set up that you could rip the rest of those welds apart I'd be looking at a fifth wheel type of trailer.
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02-23-2016, 11:23 PM
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#65
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2 Rivet Member
2015 25' International
Southern CA
, California
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 25
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I'm pretty sure I just saw this episode of Law and Order: SVU
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02-24-2016, 10:53 PM
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#66
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1 Rivet Member
Cardiff
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 17
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Update on bad hitch
1) yes, its bad
2) Austen Deal a customer service rep at Equali-z-er has been fabulous to work with
3) we went over the image you all saw and then confirmed it was a warranty covered defect
4) I filled out extensive trailer and TV specs in order to qualify the warranty replacement
5) warranty replaced hitch was overnighted - at no cost to me ( i did pay for expedited shipping since we're more or less stuck w/o it )
6) we drove minimally (side streets ; 30mph) as we had to vacate the lot we were parked in
7) there was an extensive walkthrough over the phone with the hitch with Austen .. discussing the washers that were loose and should be tightened, the proper grease spots in addition to on the ball itself;
8) today, we were set to receive the overnight delivery - and it failed to show -- slightly annoying bc we paid the $140 overnight cost and it wasnt sent from shipper in time ... so whatever ... its a 800$ unit so in that sense it's cost of doing business I suppose
9) will be putting on the new hitch upon receipt and have a much better sense of the set up and what to be checking on an on going basis
So that's the update. It was really helpful to read all the comments, even though it was obvious to the knowledgeable outsider, when you're in the TV (Toyota Tundra, 2011, SR5, v8) and you feel all sorts of control ... you just never know.
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02-25-2016, 04:29 AM
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#67
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Mantua
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
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Alls well that ends well. Good camping.
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02-25-2016, 08:17 AM
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#68
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Site Team
2007 30' Classic S/O
Somewhere
, South Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,436
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Thanks for the report. I'll be giving my equalizer the evil eye this weekend.
Ball was loose too?
__________________
S/OS #001 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L 6 Speed
16" Michelins, Hi Spec Wheels, Max Brake, Dexter 4 Piston Disc Brakes, Carslile Actuator, Equal-I-Zer, Dill TPMS. Campfire cook. BMV-712. DEMCO 21K Lb Cast Iron coupler
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02-25-2016, 10:23 AM
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#69
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,337
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Quote:
Originally Posted by avionstream
Alls well that ends well.
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Or, Alls weld that ends weld.
__________________
2014 25' Flying Cloud Rear Twin
2019 Ford Expedition Platinum
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02-26-2016, 07:46 PM
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#70
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4 Rivet Member
1973 31' Sovereign
Middletown
, California
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 424
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All in all just a minor detour I hope! How about a photo of your replacement part and your complete hitch set-up? Is the new part exactly like the old one?
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02-26-2016, 08:17 PM
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#71
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2 Rivet Member
2015 25' International
Southern CA
, California
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 25
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Thanks for the update, it's great to see the resolution to the posted problems.
If Progressive/Equalizer was supposed to ship expedited but didn't get it out in time, I'd be asking them for a partial refund. Not sure if you'd have any luck there but I do think they're trying to make sure their customers are happy and the defect you experienced wasn't something trivial.
Good luck!
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02-26-2016, 11:15 PM
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#72
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Rivet Master
1960 22' Safari
in the wilderness
, The great Mojave Desert
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,077
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam
Or, Alls weld that ends weld.
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Go to your room.
Comments like that get you PUNished.
__________________
I'd rather be boon docking in the desert.
WBCCI 3344 FCU
AIR# 13896
CA 4
Yes, we have courtesy parking for you. About an hour North of Los Angeles.
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