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Old 08-25-2018, 10:09 PM   #61
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 22E
State: New York
Posts: 322
THOR #12119
towing a goose neck or 5th wheel trailer with a motorhome

When you mentioned "Goose Neck" I thought you meant buying one of these:
Automated Safety Hitch
Innovative Towing Systems, Inc. | Trailer Hitch | Gooseneck Horse Trailers | 5th Wheel RVs | Flatbed Goosenecks | Fifth Wheel
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they are rated up to 30,000 pounds

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Old 08-25-2018, 10:28 PM   #62
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Model: Windsport. 35M
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THOR #6199
Quote:
Originally Posted by MEWright View Post

All my trucks have 10K plus receivers, we use 15K inserts and 15K tow balls. YES the insert and the balls are rated as well as the receiver on the vehicle.

Many, many landscapers out there pulling dump trailers weighing over 10000 pounds using cheap ball mounts and trailer balls rated at 5000 pounds. When I see one, I stay out of their way.
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Old 08-25-2018, 10:37 PM   #63
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Model: 25.4
State: California
Posts: 225
THOR #7440
hitch failure

I am a retired Operating Engineer Mechanic / Welder, i have seen an done many repairs on metal faliure, i have been trained by the Cat dealer to deal with metal failure, I do not think your faliure is due to any design or manfacture of the hitch, i think its self inflicted, my guess with out seeing everything up close is you have too much tounge weigh and too much play in the hitch and reciever, this faliure was caused by excessive weight of the tounge, too long of a hitch and too much up and down movement of the hitch wile traveling, shock, vibration, and weight caused this faliure, were all the bolts still tight after the faliure? How much play is in the hitch to the receiver and how loose is the pin that holds the hitch to the receiver? also are you sure the ball and the hitch are the same size? you are towing a full size car, is it on a trailer or just a tow bar? that flange on the hitch that bolts to your frame is almost twice as thick as the frame of the coach, when you have the new hitch installed make sure they only use grade 8 bolts and hard washers and self locking nuts, good luck on your journey
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Old 08-26-2018, 01:04 AM   #64
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THOR #1020
I cannot speak for others but I have very little tongue weight. So downward pressure at the hitch was never the issue. The folks that did my repair, build 5th wheel trailers for hauling construction equipment and horses. The technician that did the actual repairs pointed out how poorly the design was that had about 4" of contact between the hitch and the frame extension. Not good.

My whole purpose in the original post was to make other owners aware of an issue to prevent a real disaster from happening. Lots of folks have offered an opinion of the why it happened but the bottomline is advise to avoid a run away toad.
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Old 08-26-2018, 10:34 AM   #65
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This is a serious matter and I will be checking my hitch today, but good luck getting Thor involved after that first year of warranty.
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Old 09-03-2018, 09:40 PM   #66
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This accident in Houston due to a broken hitch reminded me of this thread. Shows it can, and does, happen.

https://www.chron.com/news/houston-t...h-13197330.php
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Old 09-03-2018, 10:56 PM   #67
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I think that this story points to a series of circumstances not related to what happened to one of our folks in here...
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Old 09-05-2018, 01:51 PM   #68
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THOR #2142
Thanks to this and the earlier posting I check my hitch every time I hook up to it, better safe than sorry.
I have no clue who is at fault and/or the mechanical conditions that could result in this BUT I can keep an eye out for interesting articles.
With that said, on page 19 of the Family RV'ing (FMAC) September issue, there is a RECALL for Tiffin's (18V-328) for "Insufficient frame rail strength that may allow the tow hitch to detach from the motorhome. Some vehicles already remedied as part of recall 17V-200 will need the additional repairs covered by this recall."
So Thor is not the only one with the problem...for whatever the conditions that result in this happening.
Again, thanks for all the input on this and other RV concerns these past 4 years.


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Old 09-05-2018, 02:11 PM   #69
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I tow most of time we have Vegas on road. Checked all bolts for tightness as well as the frame extension attachment which are bolted and welded. I have pulled a 5500 open racecar trailer likely 12,000 miles and there have been no issues.
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Old 09-05-2018, 05:30 PM   #70
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Made me look... I checked my hitch and it's attached to an 18" welded frame extension. The hitch itself looks strong, but the add-on frame section scares me.
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Old 09-05-2018, 05:37 PM   #71
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobo View Post
Made me look... I checked my hitch and it's attached to an 18" welded frame extension. The hitch itself looks strong, but the add-on frame section scares me.
That sounds about like when your Dentist tells you that your teeth are okay; but your gums have to go!
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Old 09-05-2018, 06:04 PM   #72
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Bob,
You are spot on! I've had to remove great looking teeth over the years because the supporting structures (gums and bone) had gone to pot and were less than required for the job.

With the RV, you have to trust that the frame extension was built well above minimum requirements.

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Old 04-30-2019, 09:16 PM   #73
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THOR #14934
8000 Lb. LCI Hitch on 2018 Windsport 34J

This failure made me go and check my 8000lb hitch on my Windsport 34J.

First, is it is rusty on underside of the angles that bolt to to frame. There was masking take over the Warning sticker so it was painted by the dealer. We have had it two weeks now.

Second look at the difference in the two angles. The right one has a 90 degree bend rather than an arc. Will touch up with some reust inhibiting spray paint and inspect it periodically.
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Old 04-30-2019, 10:14 PM   #74
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Wow!

That's a hitch worth replacing...
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Old 04-30-2019, 10:47 PM   #75
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Kind of looks like there was damage on that thing at some point and a bit of that frame and hitch hanger were replaced. Probably as solid as original but they should have mentioned it to you if you bought new. If you have any concerns have an independent fab shop take a look.
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Old 05-01-2019, 10:49 AM   #76
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Mr.Ed...that second picture is exactly the issue. Most of the hitch failures posted here...the metal ripped apart right along that bend. Had they "rolled" it vs. cold press bending, the metal doesn't get weakened as much. I would send those pics to Thor CS and Warranty peeps. Whoever fabricated that hitch bracket is the culprit.
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Old 05-01-2019, 11:21 AM   #77
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THOR #10823
I've seen that kind of fabrication problem before. The hitch manufacture's bending die for the right side plate was set up wrong and pinched rather than rolled the bend. It should look like the left side, I would not trust it.
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Old 05-01-2019, 11:28 AM   #78
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THOR #11130
With all the warranty claims circling this issue, you could send those pics to Thor and probably get a new hitch for free. This places all the blame directly on LCI.
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Old 05-01-2019, 10:44 PM   #79
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Model: Windsport 34J
State: Alabama
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THOR #14934
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton View Post
With all the warranty claims circling this issue, you could send those pics to Thor and probably get a new hitch for free. This places all the blame directly on LCI.
34J is at the dealer now. They said they will take pictures and send to Thor.
The guy agreed (finally) that the right bracket was too sharp (90 degrees) of an angle.

I will keep everyone posted. To me, the entire mount should be replaced with one that was fabricated correctly.

I don't want to lose my toad on the trailer.
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Old 05-01-2019, 10:56 PM   #80
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THOR #8069
If that were me first I would turn it over to my insurance company then my attorney.
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