Jerry_Keller
Southern California
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Luckily, it didn't completely break off. Could've been a really bad deal.
Any suggestions on repair or replacement?
NEW PHOTO:
Here's what I was presented with when I got to the campground.
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Jerry Keller
2006 Bounder 35E, W22
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bgum
South Louisiana
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Buy new hitch. Suggest next one be heavier duty.
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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It seems to have failed in an upward motion. Any chance the toad got at a weird angle while being towed, like going over a hump or up a driveway, etc? Was the tow bar level in the normal configuration?
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FIRE UP
Ramona, CA. USA
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Jerry,
You don't have that bad of a problem. Depending on your outlook on it, I'd fix it. And, depending on your skills and equipment needed to do the job, that's another point to be taken. Since I've got all the skills, equipment and material to not only fix that, but reinforce the broken area(s) it would be a no brainer for me. But, again, it all depends on how YOU would like to approach the situation.
Based on the only picture you've provided, I'd surely inspect 360 degrees around that entire area for other stress cracks etc. If it all turns out good, then a good welder can have that repaired without issues. Yep, you can run down and buy a new hitch if you'd like and, that will also satisfy your mind if repairing it is not to your liking. Some folks would not trust welding it and would go out and buy one. It's up to you.
Scott
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Jerry_Keller
Southern California
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With back end of the MH so high, I've used a drop hitch receiver to make sure everything is level.
When I got to the campground, I found that the hitch, drop hitch receiver, and tow bars were in an upside down V configuration. It looked very unnatural.
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Jerry_Keller
Southern California
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Scott,
Thanks for the encouragement. My skills don't run to welding, and the one welder I do know says replace it.
Replacement does look comlicated as there is a lot of stuff attached (welded) to the crossbar.
I'm trying to remember the name of some folks who did some custom welding for me in Wilmington, CA.
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Sully2
Cincinnati
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Jerry: Bottom line is...Buy a new hitch!
If you were an expert at welding you would see the fracture is at the edge of the previous weld. Which means you need to grind ALL of that stuff clean and start over.
Im no pro by a long shot but I have a 210 amp wire fed welder I use. Would I repair it? If I used it with my Kubota tractor...then yes. Behind my motorhome to pull a car with? No way in Hades partner
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wa_desert_rat
Central Washington State
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Get the opinion of another welder... if the only damage is what we can see in that photo a good professional welder can not just fix it, but make it stronger than it was before. And for less money - probably far less money - than a new one.
Craig
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w4phj
Vero Beach, FL
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"V" grind out the cracked area and weld.
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randallb
On the road
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Judging from the amount of rust visible at the weld this receiver has been cracked for a while. Cause of the crack is unknown but the reason for the separation is from hanging up on the dropped draw bar. You can see where the receiver was driven up into the rear cap. How steep is the driveway that you regularly traverse to park your RV. My guess is you will find some nice divots from everyone's hitches bottoming out.
Randy
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