Towing Hitch Broke off!!!

[Pete'sMH]

I think many towed braking systems are progressive but not proportional. That would mean that a sudden hard application of brakes will leave the hitch feeling the full force of the towed vehicle. When I selected my braking system I looked for response time and progressive braking as key factors. This thread and similar ones are enough to make me inspect my hitch and tow equipment thoroughly before each trip. If I’ve got a failure in my future I’d REALLY like to see it coming!

[Bob Denman]

It's the punch that you don't see coming; that puts your lights out.
Your inspection process is very wise!

[Hooligan2]

Agree with inspecting. One thing I noticed, on the photo in my post #93, the frame bend is sharp and shows a rust or crack line at the separation. The frame bend on my Sprinter appears more rounded, maybe less of a stress point. My toad is 3400# and I use a Brake Buddy Classic- it has a noticeable 2-3 second delay for brake application. (faster and harder on breakaway or panic brake)

My hitch mount.

[chetking@gmail.com]

I just replaced my 3500# Reese hitch with a 5000# curt hitch. The only visible difference was the curt had 4 grade 6 and the reese had 6 grade 3 bolts.

2011 E450 on 31R Freedom Elite.

[Jimbo56]

Well after reading all this I’m going to crawl under mine and see how the hitch is attached to the frame. Don’t tank I’ve got frame extensions but I want to know for sure. And in searching for specs, RV Trader says my A27 has a GVWR of 16000 lbs. GCWR of 24000 lbs. With a hitch rated for 8000 lbs. I’ve is V10. He 2021 on what is supposed to be a beefier chassis with the new V8 shows 23000 as GCWR. Makes me go hmmmm..... I had everything loaded on my trailer (with brakes) and scaled as just shy of 3800 lbs. I’ll never go over 5000 as I wouldn’t want to push the limit. My old Ford F-350 Dually was acted at 21400 lbs. Doesn’t mean I ever towed that much. One guy in some of these failures looked like he was pulling a 10,000 lb trailer with an Axis. Just because the hitch fits the receiver and the trailer hooks up doesn’t mean you should.

As Duckie so aptly states, intelligence is often overlooked.