CAUTION!!: Double Check Trailer Hitch

[bigben]

Sad to hear so many other issues with the Challenger hitches. Our hitch was so close to breaking totally loose - scary. The good news is after fixing the issue (Morryde was very helpful) we have had zero issues in 2 years.

The even better news - thanks in large part to this forum and the many contributors I've not read about any catastrophic failures with free wheeling toads passing the coach.

Good STUFF.

[BradnKaren]

Originally Posted by Hoosier 26

I took some photos of my original hitch after it was removed. It is scary to see just how close I came to losing my toad. Attachment 12905Attachment 12906

That's some scary stuff right there. Allstate's "Mayhem" comes to mind.

As a result of this thread we check our hitch before and after every time we tow. So far it's only been an enclosed trailer or our double axle boat trailer, and fortunately neither required much of a drop.

When my husband retires in 4 years the plan is to purchase a toad and travel. You can be sure one of the major vehicle requirements will be the shortest length of a drop required to pull it.

THANK YOU for sharing invaluable information and likely saving lives.

[ACEroad]

Small drop and just go with a Class V hitch and your problems almost disappear.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by ACEroad

Small drop and just go with a Class V hitch and your problems almost disappear.

Turns out they don’t make class V hitches for class A chassis. Has to be custom fabricated. May be worth it but not easy.

[ACEroad]

I can not recall who, but I did find at least one manufacturer that did made Class V for Class A RV. Some one has to made those heavy duty hitches for the diesel pushers that pull heavy trailers, like some that pull trailers with two race cars. A good hitch shop could fabricate or make adapters plates for the Class V hitches. Good Luck. Any trouble at all with Class IV, I will switch to a Class V one way or another.

[jimmyzshack]

Well here is my 2018 Axis failure. about 28k miles towing a 5500lb jeep. lippert SKU 354528 Thor Part Number 0311654. of course it's backordered 20+ days and i'm in Texas with my jeep.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by jimmyzshack

Well here is my 2018 Axis failure. about 28k miles towing a 5500lb jeep. lippert SKU 354528 Thor Part Number 0311654. of course it's backordered 20+ days and i'm in Texas with my jeep.

Yikes! Glad you caught it. Do you use stabilizers to keep things from rattling around, pounding on the hitch? It might help. 5500 lb is quite a load

[Beau388]

That is the type of failures I would expect from the use of a 6 inch drop with a load of 2,500 lbs or more. These loads do occur even with auxiliary braking devices.

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by jimmyzshack

Well here is my 2018 Axis failure. about 28k miles towing a 5500lb jeep. lippert SKU 354528 Thor Part Number 0311654. of course it's backordered 20+ days and i'm in Texas with my jeep.

Looks like an easy fix for a local welder

[blw2]

how did you spot that? looks like it would cause some movement or looseness, but might not be easy to spot during a walk around.... with the drawbar in, especially

Seems like your drawbar might pretty much live in that receiver based on the corrosion, which looks like it might be a contributing factor.

I have so far never towed with my RV but I do have a 5 bike rack that has been installed for a few years. Might be time to pull it for a close inspection!