Visit our Popular Forums

JBBeaubeaux · 08-08-2015, 02:41 PM

I have an older Reese trunnion that I cannot get the washers with teeth to keep the ball tilt at the angle I want.

I am using 2 of the washers with teeth on each side of the trunnion and am torquing to 300 lbs, both the top bolt and the bottom bolt. With the tilt the way I want it, the coupler is about 1 inch from the shank (not shown).

But within moments of pulling the Airstream, the ball has slipped and tilted back up, the washers have slipped, and the coupler is once again touching the shank. (see photos)

I suspect it is a combination of the trunnion is worn out where the slots on the washers are supposed to connect, along with the pressure the trunnion bars place on the top bolt and washers.

Any suggestions? Do I need to buy a new trunnion?

mimiandrews · 08-08-2015, 02:48 PM

The new trunnion design eliminates the problem. Haven't looked at the price since I bought ours several years ago. It's worth considering.

perryg114 · 08-08-2015, 02:59 PM

Looks to me like the bolts are too small in diameter. What is the actual diameter of the holes? Mine is an older version of that hitch and it does not slip.

Perry

JBBeaubeaux · 08-08-2015, 03:15 PM

The bolts are what Reese said to use. ¾" #8

tjdonahoe · 08-08-2015, 03:29 PM

Looks like the no slip washers are worn out, are you tightening the bolts with an air wrench?

JBBeaubeaux · 08-08-2015, 04:01 PM

They are very old washers. You think maybe replacing them with new ones will solve my problem?

I have been taking the truck to a auto repair shop and they have been sing their equipment to set the torque at 300 lbs.

perryg114 · 08-08-2015, 05:10 PM

New washers would help and bigger bolts preferably with a non-threaded upper shank.

Perry

tjdonahoe · 08-09-2015, 06:57 AM

The bottom washers look like they are soft steel, you need hard steel washers on the bottom and new ones on top. You could weld it in the correct location..

RLS · 08-09-2015, 07:32 AM

If it is like the one I have, what keeps it tilted is the amount of center washers used below the ball and then you tighten the center bottom bolt to keep the washers secure.

dznf0g · 08-09-2015, 07:56 AM

Take a pic of the face of the trunnion and ball mount from the rear (between the spring bars. It appears to me you are missing the tilt pin, washers and tightening bolt for the tilt adjustment. They are what hold the head in the proper position, not the bolts themselves.

AS Mikey · 08-09-2015, 10:57 AM

I had the same problem one time and fixed it by making a shim out of flat stock steel. I took a piece of steel the width of the opening between the ball mount and body and put a bend in it facing the ball so it would not slip down when slid into place. That did the trick. You have a tremendous amount of torque pushing in on the mount for bolts and washers to hold alone.
Hope this helps...

TomKirk · 08-09-2015, 11:00 AM

This hitch design gives you lots of flexibility. But sooner or later, Achilles Heel (design weakness in your hitch) will show itself.

Solution, get hitch height where you want it and then weld it.

Tom

JBBeaubeaux · 08-11-2015, 07:15 PM

After everyone's comments and a little research, I bought a new Reese Trunnion to replace the old worn out one.

It should arrive in a few days and solve my problem.

Thanks for all the advice.