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CaptainLarry

Charlotte, NC

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Posted: 01/04/21 01:38pm

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Hey Guys,

My buddy showed me his cheap Harbor Freight load compensation hitch because he thought the ball was causing wear on his mount. I paused and said, the whole thing looks bent to me.

My questions to you are, it does look bent, right? And how would one do this?

I guess I'm thinking going over a tall RR crossing might have this effect.

Larry
Moderator edit to fix picture URL's

* This post was edited 01/04/21 05:10pm by an administrator/moderator *

CaptainLarry

Charlotte, NC

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Posted: 01/04/21 01:39pm

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For the life of me I can't figure out how to
post photos!

CaptainLarry

Charlotte, NC

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Posted: 01/04/21 02:26pm

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https://imgur.com/QsvFaF8

[image]

Do these images work???

enblethen

Moses Lake, WA

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Posted: 01/04/21 02:34pm

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Photo came through!
Looks nasty! What is make and model of the distribution hitch?
What does trailer weight and what is guess of tongue weight? Make and model?

Bud
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valhalla360

No paticular place.

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Posted: 01/04/21 03:07pm

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Hard to tell from the photo if it's really bent. If you hadn't said something, I would have assumed it was just the angle of the photo.

Assuming it is bent, what's the rating on the hitch and what is he pulling? A trailer that's too heavy combined with a good pothole can generate a lot of force. It doesn't appear to be in any imminent danger of breaking away but depending on seeing it in real life, if it is bent, probably best to replace it.

Tammy & Mike
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BobsYourUncle

Calgary Alberta Canada

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Posted: 01/04/21 03:19pm

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Definitely look bent! That would take a lot of force to do that.
But then I would question the quality hitch head itself. Maybe cheap Chinese steel?

2007 GMC 3500 dually ext. cab 4X4 LBZ
Dmax/Allison

2007 Pacific Coachworks Tango 306RLSS - 32'

CaptainLarry

Charlotte, NC

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Posted: 01/04/21 03:23pm

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OK, so what way are you seeing the photo so I can repeat the method on another image? I still can't see it.

https://imgur.com/pPdQHeq

[image]

CaptainLarry

Charlotte, NC

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Posted: 01/04/21 03:29pm

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I'll collect the requested data ASAP. Thanks.

enblethen

Moses Lake, WA

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Posted: 01/04/21 03:39pm

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I cut and paste link.
Photo

bgum

South Louisiana

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Posted: 01/04/21 03:42pm

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Ball shank itself appears to be bent to the left. There also appears to be a very little sag where the ball is mounted. Someone put some extreme forces on this hitch. They may have grossly exceeded the rating. Sway control ball on left is clearly bent.