4 THE TOYZ
SoCal
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Joined: 10/30/2007
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My buddy and I both own 2009 Weekend Warrior 5th wheels (I know, I know). Anyway, last weekend in Pismo, the bolts in his pin box snapped. Four of the six bolts completely snapped in half as we were pulling in the sand. No major damage as we caught it in time.
My question is, why would they not use Grade 8 bolts?? The bolts that were on his and are on mine don't even look like a hardend bolt. It seems ridiculous they would not use grade 8. Any thoughts...
2007.5 GMC 2500 CC Diesel-6"Pro Comp Lift 35" Toyo M/T, Air Lift w/on-board compressor + other mods
2009 Weekend Warrior LED3505
2007 Rhino 660 with several mods
2001 Honda TRX-90 (For the little one)
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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Cost, plain and simple.
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4 THE TOYZ
SoCal
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I thought cost, but the price difference in each bolt is less than 50 cents. Cut cost on other bolts, not on something that is towing 13k pounds and holding 2200 pounds of tongue weight
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JSGrewal
Simi Valley, CA
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Joined: 11/17/2004
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I read somewhere recently that grade 5 may be better in a shearing application because they tend to bend before breaking whereas grade 8s will sheer off. Not sure how true it is, but it may be worth looking into. I know I will check my bolts!
2004 F350 4x4 Crew Cab PSD
2007 Weekend Warrior LE3505+6
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taviking22
Omaha, NE
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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I see the problem...does your buddy have the same TV as you? That Duramax torque is to much for many grades of bolts! (SORRY...couldn't resist!)
I'd be getting into contact with the manufacturer on this. Thankfully the king pin wasn't ripped from the pin box!
taviking22
Omaha, NE
2006 2500HD Silverado 4 X 4, Duramax LBZ
2008 Tracker Pro Guide V-16 Boat
2009 Jayco Eagle Super Light 28.5 RLS 5th Wheel
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4 THE TOYZ
SoCal
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Nice one. No he has a 2008 F450. His bolts did actually bend before they broke. The two that did not brake were slightly bent.
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FarmerDill
California
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I've read about the the grade-5 vs grade-8 also. In some situations, grade-5 is more applicable.
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4 THE TOYZ
SoCal
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So what is best for the pin box bolts????
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Broccoli1
Los Angeles
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Joined: 02/28/2007
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5 or 8
06 F250 V10 SB 4x4 Gulp Gulp
WW FSC2800
Rincon 650, Rhino
Power Wheels 750
"Shoot, I'm the world's best backwards driver!"
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mapguy
Puget Sound
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Joined: 09/02/2007
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Glad you caught it before an accident happened on the highway! This is an area most including me take for granted on a new trailer -never again in the future -will check these B4 towing -just like the lug nuts.
On my 2008 Ragen with a Lippert 1716 Pin Box, these bolts are GR 5 but they were loose when I got the trailer home from the dealer. Found the loose bolts when I adjusted the PIN Box height. Had to replace several of the bolts that were loose because they were slightly deformed already.
If your PB is installed in the lowest PB mount holes there will be a row of empty holes above the PB - suggest you look at the way the PB mount is fabricated/reinforced and install bolts in the empty holes to clamp the PB mount frame and reinforcement together to minimize/prevent the PB from twisting the mount. Visualize the PB twisting in the mount with the idea of where is the weakest point.....
Yes, I know this seems a little "picky" but with all the PB area failures seen in the RV world -the small investment in hardware and time for me is a no-brainer. Reduction of unwanted twisting forces is a good thing IMO!
Map Guy
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