Hi all - just noticed this today - after having traveled the southwest (So. Cal & AZ) the better part of 6 weeks ... not sure if this is new or not, growing or not, (although the same size appears on the other side) ..
Any thoughts?
(image should be attached (apologies for its rotated view (you can click image to see up close) - but there's also a PDF of the image with a yellow circle encompassing the crack - )
Wow, yea, That's looks bad, but it looks like it could be just the weld and not the metal. But looking at a picture it's just my preliminary observation and opinion.
Bring it to have it professionally inspected or call Equalizer and send them a pic for their explanation.
Have it evaluated or buy a new head and check all other components before towing again. Even inspect the hitch on your tow vehicle.
The crack is in the metal right next to the weld. That is the weakest point in a welded structure, because the metal there has been heated and cooled, but has not had reinforcing metal added, as is done in the weld bead itself.
Sometimes a poorly done weld will look like there's a crack where the weld did not penetrate properly. That's not the case here. That's a good, professional-looking weld with a stress crack next to it, in my opinion.
Rust inside the crack says it's been there for a while.
Replace it. It's definitely not going to get better.
Believe replacement would be the best option if you are happy with the performance of the hitch. If not, now might be a good time to consider an alternative design. Pat
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
Let's not panic. Yep, it's definitely cracked. But it has been cracked for quite a while— no telling how long— judging from the corrosion, and there is no evidence that the crack has lengthened or spread recently since it all appears to be weathered the same. Which means the problem isn't getting worse despite you still using the hitch.
I definitely recommend replacement in the near future, but you still have enough good metal on your hitch to be able to use it long enough to get home. But just as there's no telling how long the crack has been there, there's no telling how long it will be before it gets worse, if ever. Just make sure you inspect it every day of towing, and if the crack does visibly grow (you'll be able to tell from shiny metal on the edges of the crack where it has lengthened) THEN park the trailer until you can get the hitch replaced.
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I thought getting old would take longer!
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
It's unanimous, at least among the trailer owners. Replace it immediately.
I may not be a trailer owner, but that doesn't mean I've never pulled a trailer. And even though I'm retired, I haven't quite forgotten everything I ever knew about engineering, either.
The hitch does need to be replaced, no one is denying that. I just believe that— given the apparent age of the crack and that it seems as if it's not getting worse— it's not necessarily as urgent as you guys seem to think. I'm not recommending that he use it for the next couple of years, just that it should last long enough to get back home so he can replace it at his leisure— unless he's a full-timer and has no home to get back to.
He wasn't scared to use it yesterday, or the day before, when it was already cracked. He shouldn't be scared to use it tomorrow as long as the crack doesn't get worse. And daily inspection will tell him if it's getting worse.
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I thought getting old would take longer!
IMO, once you are aware of the crack you are obligated to replace it, even if it is just a moral obligation, before towing. Anything less is putting everyone else at risk. Sure, the risk may be low, but it is there nonetheless.
Looks like there were stresses left in the metal from when it was made into a hitch. Also the top was tilted back towards the trailer at some point. Was the tilt an adjustment or did something force it to tilt back? If it was forced that may have caused the cracks to form. Now is when an unconditional lifetime warranty comes in handy!
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
Quote:
Originally Posted by ijustlee
Looks like there were stresses left in the metal from when it was made into a hitch. Also the top was tilted back towards the trailer at some point. Was the tilt an adjustment or did something force it to tilt back? If it was forced that may have caused the cracks to form. Now is when an unconditional lifetime warranty comes in handy!
The hitch is made to tilt as a method to adjust the bars.
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Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
This looks to be a crack where the weld material meets the metal plate. From the pic you have welds on three intersections of the two pieces being attached. One of those is possibly failed leaving you as much as 2/3 of the strength. Without a penetrant or X-ray inspection there's no real way to know the severity of the crack. Don't risk your trailer for the price of a hitch bar. Replace it now! Great catch by the way.
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this great country!!!!
Pat
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