Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-11-2011, 05:48 AM   #1
Rivet Master
 
Skater's Avatar
 
1995 30' Excella
Bowie , Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,345
Hitch age?

My wife just asked how old a hitch can be before it should be replaced. I didn't know the answer so I thought I'd ask here. My guess is that it's more of a "inspect it regularly and watch for cracks or other signs of failure", rather than a time limit.

On a related note, what should we be checking on the hitch? Is it just looking for cracks or odd wear, or is there more?

We ask because we bought our '95 with the hitch, and the hitch setup was new in '08, meaning it's 3 years old now (I'm going to check that it's not covered by the recall, but since our trailer spent 2010 in a barn, it seems pretty unlikely). It's a Reese hitch, and it seems to be in good condition now.

Having towed it over 1,000 miles already (wow, how did that happen?), I believe the hitch has the correct ball height, angle, and WD bars for the trailer in question ('95 Excella 30', with an extra battery and spare tire on the tongue). I'm still dialing in the WD bar setting - the PO had them way too light - but I think I have it now, and I'm just chomping at the bit to try it.
__________________
1995 Airstream Classic 30' Excella 1000
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab with Cummins 6.7L Diesel

Sold but not forgotten: 1991 Airstream B190
Sold: 2006 F-250 6.0L Powerstroke Supercab
Skater is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 06:19 AM   #2
"Cloudsplitter"

 
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas , Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
Images: 1
The one hitch failure I have experience with thats sometimes overlooked....

A fellow camper was backing into his spot at a rather sharp angle when the left side attachment bolts failed dropping the receiver...

When we got home I replaced ours with grade eight's and got into the habit of inspecting them at every Spring get-ready.

Watch the pin hole for signs of elongation, welds for cracks overall condition thats about all you can do.

Bob
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
ROBERT CROSS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 06:41 AM   #3
Rivet Master
 
robandzoe's Avatar
 
1958 30' Sovereign of the Road
Plymouth , New York
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,776
Images: 19
Send a message via Skype™ to robandzoe
1985??

Our Reese Hitch came with the 1985 34 footer that we bought in 1998 and it was probably bought new when the trailer was new.. I still have this hitch and use it ALL the time, now towing our much lighter 1958 30 footer! Not much can fail with the Reese setup.. but "knock on wood" - I look it over every once and a while.
__________________
Rob, Zoe', Stanton, Bryce, Braedon and Finn Baker
Do you Listen to the www.theVAP.com
Plymouth, NY 13832
https://bakersacresofchenango.blogspot.com/
Courtesy parking
Flag Pole Holders - https://robsflagpoleholders.blogspot.com/

robandzoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 06:42 AM   #4
Rivet Master
 
dznf0g's Avatar
 
2007 30' Classic
Oswego , Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
Images: 5
I think it's mor of an inspect the wear points and look for cracks etc. What brand and model do you have?
dznf0g is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 07:25 AM   #5
Rivet Master
 
SteveH's Avatar
 
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense , Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
Like Bob said, I think you will expereince more failures with the hitch receiver setup than the actual WD hitch. The GM trucks especially have had trouble with the receiver holes elongating, and welds cracking. It seems all the late model factory receivers have excessive clearance with the hitch drawbar (probably from being built with imported steel), and this seems to exagerate the hole elongating and weld cracking problem.

However, the Reese hitches have had a history of a few bars breaking, a few cams bending (if they were not setup right), and over a long time, the hitch head will wear where the bars ride in the small indents, but this wear only shows up after years of use. All you can do is watch for excessive or irregular wear and any stress cracks.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
SteveH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 08:06 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
Silver Otter's Avatar

 
2011 31' Classic
Nellysford , Virginia
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,067
Images: 8
Blog Entries: 1
At our Spring Rally a member passed around the ball he had to replace (after many miles). He discovered the problem one day trying to unhook. When the ball begins to wear it appears to degrade quickly into a severely out-of-round condition. He caught it before it became a failure problem.
__________________
Greg Heuer, Spirit of Virginia Airstream Club
2011 31' Classic Ltd. - The Silver Otter III
2013 GMC Denali 2500HD 6.6 DuraMax - Sierra Blanca
TAC VA-18 | Life Mbr ACI 1927 - Spirit of Virginia Club | AIR 53869
Silver Otter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 08:07 AM   #7
Rivet Master
 
Wayne&Sam's Avatar
 
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville , New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,333
Images: 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveH
It seems all the late model factory receivers have excessive clearance with the hitch drawbar (probably from being built with imported steel),
Huh? It seems to me if you build something with a specific dimension, you can build it out of cardboard and it will have the correct dimension. Don't the receivers start out big? I don't think they are deforming from use and a too soft steel. I think they build them big for easy of removal.
__________________
2014 25' Flying Cloud Rear Twin
2019 Ford Expedition Platinum
Wayne&Sam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 08:14 AM   #8
"Cloudsplitter"

 
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas , Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam View Post
Huh?..... I think they build them big for easy of removal.
They sure do...even the new TowBeast we installed in 06 required shimming to reduce the slop.
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
ROBERT CROSS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 08:14 AM   #9
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
sandlapper's Avatar
 
1993 34' Excella
York , South Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,417
Images: 7
After many years & many,many miles I replaced my hitch head(ball mount). The "sockets" that the spring bars fit into had worn quite thin, even with regular oilings. I even had one of the dog bone looking stirrups break on a trip. Had nearly 100,000 miles on the equipment so it was probably past due. The platform on the truck was fine. I'm still running those same 750# bars, but new head & new truck. Reese dual cam, old style.
__________________
John
WBCCI #268 Palmetto State Airstream Club 22
Region 3 Past President....come with us, you will like it.

Go often to the house of a friend, for weeds choke the unused path........Emerson

Are you kind?..... Uncle John's Band
sandlapper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 08:16 AM   #10
Rivet Master
 
SteveH's Avatar
 
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense , Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam View Post
Huh? It seems to me if you build something with a specific dimension, you can build it out of cardboard and it will have the correct dimension. Don't the receivers start out big? I don't think they are deforming from use and a too soft steel. I think they build them big for easy of removal.
The key, at least I think, is imported steel. Think metric system.

I remember when a 2" drawbar fit tight in a 2" reciever, and slop was not an issue.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
SteveH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 02:50 PM   #11
Rivet Master
 
Skater's Avatar
 
1995 30' Excella
Bowie , Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,345
Thanks everyone - your answers were basically what I thought, but I wanted to be sure. Just watch for signs of issues.

Quote:
Originally Posted by robandzoe View Post
Our Reese Hitch came with the 1985 34 footer that we bought in 1998 and it was probably bought new when the trailer was new.. I still have this hitch and use it ALL the time, now towing our much lighter 1958 30 footer! Not much can fail with the Reese setup.. but "knock on wood" - I look it over every once and a while.
That's kind of what I was thinking - it's not something you should necessarily have to replace after "x" years; it's more of a wear and tear thing, or if something goes awry.

dznf0g: It's a Reese WD hitch. I think the bars are 1000 lbs. I want to look at it much more closely so I'll see if I can figure out what bars and all it has.
__________________
1995 Airstream Classic 30' Excella 1000
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab with Cummins 6.7L Diesel

Sold but not forgotten: 1991 Airstream B190
Sold: 2006 F-250 6.0L Powerstroke Supercab
Skater is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 06:05 PM   #12
Rivet Master
 
dznf0g's Avatar
 
2007 30' Classic
Oswego , Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
Images: 5
Cleaning the old grease off every 500 - 600 miles helps, IMHO. There is a lot of metal powder generated by the forces applied to the spring bars in their sockets as well as the ball socket. I have become a big fan of the Reese brand grease. Although I have only been using it this year, the wear pattern on the trunnions and ball contacts is becoming smooth and mirror-like. I have used all kinds of other grease over the years, but his stuff is definitely the best.
I also use petroleum jelly on the cams and clean them daily. I dremmeled the spring bar saddles to a smooth finish when they were new and I now have a very glassy wear pattern, instead of a groovy, choppy pattern. The hitch is also very quiet with smooth wear surfaces. Also, when I say "clean the surfaces", I mean periodically cleaning with brake clean. Even with the wiped down surfaces, you would be surprised at the black that comes up with brake clean. That steel powder is an abrasive. Clean and properly lubricated will make them last a lot longer.
dznf0g is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 06:16 PM   #13
Rivet Master
 
Skater's Avatar
 
1995 30' Excella
Bowie , Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,345
So I checked over the hitch; other than being a bit dirty it seems fine. The weight distribution bars are 1200 lbs and clearly marked Reese. The hitch, on the other hand, only has a couple numbers stamped on the shank (16/06-DT3213), but no other info I could find.
__________________
1995 Airstream Classic 30' Excella 1000
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab with Cummins 6.7L Diesel

Sold but not forgotten: 1991 Airstream B190
Sold: 2006 F-250 6.0L Powerstroke Supercab
Skater is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 06:20 PM   #14
Rivet Master
 
dznf0g's Avatar
 
2007 30' Classic
Oswego , Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
Images: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skater View Post
So I checked over the hitch; other than being a bit dirty it seems fine. The weight distribution bars are 1200 lbs and clearly marked Reese. The hitch, on the other hand, only has a couple numbers stamped on the shank (16/06-DT3213), but no other info I could find.
At the risk of sounding like our beloved Andy, I think you should be using 800# bars. Andy would probably say 600#, but I think that's a little light for your unit, if you have the proper tongue weight.

What's your total loaded trailer weight and tongue weight.
dznf0g is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2011, 05:56 AM   #15
Rivet Master
 
Skater's Avatar
 
1995 30' Excella
Bowie , Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,345
Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g

At the risk of sounding like our beloved Andy, I think you should be using 800# bars. Andy would probably say 600#, but I think that's a little light for your unit, if you have the proper tongue weight.

What's your total loaded trailer weight and tongue weight.
I don't know. The trailer is marked for 750 lbs but the original owner added a third battery on the tongue and a spare tire under the front of the trailer so it's going to be heavier than most up front.
__________________
1995 Airstream Classic 30' Excella 1000
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab with Cummins 6.7L Diesel

Sold but not forgotten: 1991 Airstream B190
Sold: 2006 F-250 6.0L Powerstroke Supercab
Skater is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2011, 05:57 AM   #16
Rivet Master
 
dznf0g's Avatar
 
2007 30' Classic
Oswego , Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
Images: 5
If it's less than 1000#, I'd use 800# bars. My TW is 975#, I run 800# bars and am happy with the setup.
dznf0g is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2011, 06:06 AM   #17
"Cloudsplitter"

 
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas , Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,977
Images: 1
Skater,

Just noticed...are you towing with the B190?
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
ROBERT CROSS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2011, 10:17 AM   #18
Rivet Master
 
Skater's Avatar
 
1995 30' Excella
Bowie , Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,345
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS View Post
Skater,

Just noticed...are you towing with the B190?
No, we bought an '06 F-250 for towing. Now we just need to sell said B190.

Anyway, changes to the hitch are not in the cards for now unless there's a serious, major problem, and so far I'm not seeing one.

The PO had the WD set with practically no weight on them at all. I've been tightening them and am down to 6 links from the bar (PO had it at 8), and the last time I drove it around town it felt GOOD...I can't wait to try it on the road next weekend. These changes are making a definite improvement in the height of the front of the truck - at 7 links, it was up at the front a tiny bit (so small I had to look at it a while before I could see it), and I think the 6 link setting will take care of that.
__________________
1995 Airstream Classic 30' Excella 1000
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab with Cummins 6.7L Diesel

Sold but not forgotten: 1991 Airstream B190
Sold: 2006 F-250 6.0L Powerstroke Supercab
Skater is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2011, 01:12 PM   #19
Rivet Master
 
Wayne&Sam's Avatar
 
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville , New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,333
Images: 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveH View Post
The key, at least I think, is imported steel. Think metric system.

I remember when a 2" drawbar fit tight in a 2" reciever, and slop was not an issue.
Nope. They would still spec a specific dimension.
Wayne&Sam is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
age, hitch, preventative maintenance, reese


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Who makes this hitch? btophek Hitches, Couplers & Balls 2 06-03-2011 05:53 PM
Hitch Ball for a Reese flyingcloud Hitches, Couplers & Balls 16 05-29-2011 09:28 AM
Hitch height Kman Hitches, Couplers & Balls 1 02-26-2011 04:19 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.