Hitch Snap-up Bracket elongation

[Zia]

I am pulling a 20 ft. Safari with a Toyota 4runner V8, has lots of power even uphill. Just came back from a 3,000 miles trip up the west coast from S CAl. to Olympic National Park in WA.
Observation: the safety clip hole in the snap-up brackep (saddle) in Reese Wt distribution hitch is getting alongated. The hitch only has 10,000 miles.
Is it normal or there is something wrong with the set-up. No swaying, the handling is very good. Please advice on probable cause and the corrective actions. Thanks

[HowieE]

There should not be any load on those clips once in place. They are just a safety.

When you load the bars you should feel the chain hanger SNAP into place against the frame and aline with the safety clip holes. This snapping action is because the center line of the chains should go past the rivets, hinge point of the bracket,. Having pasted the hinge point the chains should hold the bracket closed and the clip is as noted only a safety.

If you are seeing an elongation of the clip holes I would first question the load on the chains as being too little or question if the bracket is positioned on the frame in such a way, tilted outwards at the top, as the snapping action is not accomplished and the load is being carried by the clip.

[memgrove2000]

If you post a picture of the setup we would be able to help diagnose the situation. together and parts in question. thanks

[Zia]

Thanks HowieE and memgrove2000, what you mentioned make sense.
Normally I have to raise the A/s on its jack in order to snap-up the chain to the bracket without lots of effort. When I try to do it without raising the A/S it is very difficult. After snapping the chain when I lower the A/S and place all the load on the TW ball than the chain seems tight and under load.

• Also when I close the bracket I can feel that is snapped in place and passed the hinge pins.
• Like you mentioned, the safety pin should never see any load on it.
• May be I need to hook the chain with one lower link so that there is more load on the chain and the bracket stay in place. Will there be any issue with the extra load on the chain?
• Next time when I hook-up the A/S I will pay attention as to the looseness of the bracket.

Thanks again for your kind advice, being a newcomer to the community every little bit of advice is very much appreciated.

[HowieE]

Please review Post #8 of this tread to get an idea of how to set up the WD hitch.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...-up-45378.html

[Zia]

Today I visited an RV part store and looked at the SNAP-UP bracket and surprised see that the new brackel has an alongated whole. Found out that all the brackets has elongated whole.
I guess this whole issue became a non-issue, in the process I did learn a few things about the weight distribution hitch.
I llike to thank again to all the respondant and glad to have a happy ending