Masterlock Hitch Pin Cracks

[Cracker]

I have a set of Masterlock locking hitch pins. One for the receiver and the other for the trailer latch - keyed alike. The pin for the receiver has a bushing over it to properly size it for the receiver hole and, upon unhooking last week, I noticed that the bushing was beginning to split longitudinally at one end for about one-half inch. My first impression was that it was a rather insignificant problem, but the more I thought about it, if the ends of this bushing deteriorate enough (---and fall out of place,) creating slop where the pin passes through the receiver walls, that could result in enough fore and aft slippage to generate a high shearing load on the pin and possible failure. I plan to contact Masterlock about the problem but, in the meanwhile I would advise anyone who has this lock to check it out. My locks are at least five years old - and possibly older if I used then on earlier trailers???

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by Cracker

creating slop where the pin passes through the receiver walls, that could result in enough fore and aft slippage to generate a high shearing load on the pin and possible failure.

You have defined the problem well.

I am not sure I would trust any pin that required a bushing unless the bushing was a hardened material to provide the strength of a normal hitch pin.

[Cracker]

Well --- I thought that the bushing was just that - but apparently not!

Originally Posted by HowieE

You have defined the problem well.

I am not sure I would trust any pin that required a bushing unless the bushing was a hardened material to provide the strength of a normal hitch pin.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I had that same lock set; And when I got home with my brand new trailer, I noticed the shaft was bent. This hitch lock made it from Eugene, Oregon to Lakewood, California. One trip and it was bent, so I bought another lock with a solid shaft [5/8"] and haven't had any problems since.

[AirsDream]

I bought one of those Master Lock pins with lock ... and when I got it home and took it out of the package and saw that it had that "shim plate / tube" thing, I decided just not ever to use it - just the look of it scared me. Based on your experience and the other writers' notes, I think I made the right decision. So, I wasted the money, but learned a lesson.