Hitch rust question (photo)

Swingking · 02-25-2003, 03:04 PM

what is the deal with all of this rust?

it's on my 69 Overlander.

can it be fixed by weilding or does it have to be replaced?

thanks for info!

Mark

wb13798 · 02-25-2003, 04:04 PM

looks like a yankee trailer. would recommend a good wire brushing and get some rust eater and coat it good to finish the clean up . then a few coats of paint. lol
al

Road Ruler · 02-25-2003, 04:25 PM

al....or Canadian

Dosen't look to good Mark. Might be worth sandblasting to see how bad it is. A good trailer / welding shop can replace the whole front head assembly. I was quoted 200.00 CDN to change mine but it didn't need to be replaced.

59toaster · 02-25-2003, 04:45 PM

Looks like 1/4 plate cut with a torch and they left it a little thin on the back side. That coupled with running on salted roads.
Probe the rust and make sure you have no thin spots. If it feels solid the sand it down. Find a weld or machine shop and they could easily weld on a strip on there and brace the bottom of the jack head. POR 15 is a good rust treatment. Wait on the painting till after you get it welded. THey need clean metal and will have to hit it with a grinder.

Chas · 02-25-2003, 05:07 PM

Toaster is right on,

It can most likely be salvaged with a new bottom plate welded in with the hole thru it. Looks like it could use a good sandblasting though. Don't let the bonehead welders weld the jack tube at the bottom plate, the jack should be held on with the bolts on the top flange. The only thing I would check out carefully is the coupler. It could be entirely worn out or rusted beyond repair. It is a Marvel 2"5/16" unit? You can get rebuild kits for them but they only service them partially, the lock mechanism only.

If your unit is an original Texas trailer, it probably spent a while on the coast. If so, good to know it has been broken in, nothing worse than taking your baby to the beach for the first time!!

Chas

striker · 02-25-2003, 07:22 PM

i think that i would not take the chance of welding just replace the whole hitch. i dont think that it would worth the risk of the traile hitch breaking . sorry but i know that this is not what you whanted to hear but that is my 2 cents worth.
with the way things are now a day make 1 1/4 cent worth.

53flyingcloud · 02-26-2003, 12:04 AM

Couldn't help but remembering an A/S I saw at the A/S factory last July..The family came in from FL. with a new(to them) unit to have the stove, A/C, and, black water tank replaced. Ended up having the 'A' frame repaired as well. I happened to walk by just after the Tech pulled the skin back off of the 'A' frame. It was almost completely eaten thru with rust`on that one side. The fix was to weld a new angle iron section to the old frame. Made me stop and, think abt what you don't see, can ruin your day~even worse, hurt you~(this unit, supposedly spend it's entire time in FL)
For what it's worth, I'd go looking back further then just that one section..
Last Spring, I completely sandblasted the entire front of my 'A' frame and, painted it. Last I checked..it still looks great~
I did mine with a bit of overkill but, I wanted it completely redone and, to last till I become a "PO".
I recommand the POR 15 route as well..Take a look at their website. Some very helpful hints and, excellent products~!!
ciao

Swingking · 02-26-2003, 12:15 PM

First of all I would like to thank each and every one of you guys to reply.

this is such a great way of getting answers. this is my first RV so every bit of info is GOLD.

POR 15 eh?

http://www.por15.com/

I don't know how to sandblast... is it something I can do myself? I have an decent air compressor. can I do it with that?

I'm a little nervous about towing my baby any distance so I might want to get it replaced. how much does that cost?

thanks again!

Mark