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  • Hitch Ball Torque - Alarming Data

    I just returned from dry camping for 14 days in the Arizona desert. While on this excursion, I attended the Quartzsite GDRV rally. There were quite a few travel trailers in attendance, and I offered to check the hitch ball torque for any owners who were interested. A 2-5/16" hitch ball typically requires 450 ft-lb of torque. I have a torque wrench that can achieve this torque level. During the rally, I checked the torque on seven tow vehicles. Here is what I found

    Properly torqued to 450 ft-lb - 2
    350-450 - 1
    250-350 - 1
    150-250 - 0
    100-150 - 1
    Finger tight - 1
    Loose - 1 (On this hitch ball, the nut was two threads away from falling off)

    This is a small sample size, which may not be indicative of the general population, but I found it to be quite alarming. None of the owners I talked to had ever checked the torque on their hitch balls since purchasing their travel trailer. If you own a travel trailer, it's imperative that you check your torque on a routine basis. Torque wrenches that can measure the proper torque can cost $200-$400, but it's much less expensive than having your trailer come loose. If you don't want to invest in a large torque wrench, you might be able to find a dealership or hitch retailer who can check it for you.

    Jim
    Last edited by TucsonJim; 01-20-2020, 07:06 PM.
    Jim and Ginnie
    2024 Solitude 310GK
    GDRV Technical Forum Moderator
    GDRV Rally Support Coordinator

  • #2
    Wow thats great information! Scary too!
    Wade & Melinda
    2018 Solitude 310GK
    2020 Chevrolet High Country 3500HD Duramax

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    • #3
      Great info Jim.

      After watching my dealer use an impact gun on my hitch, I borrowed a tech at work with a 5ft torque wrench and he torqued the hitch for me.

      The information you posted is a real concern about what is out there on the roads.

      Jim

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      • #4
        Hi Jim,

        In the "old days" (before I could afford a torque wrench like that ) we did this the old-fashioned way. A 180 lb guy standing on one foot on the end of a 2 1/2 ft breaker bar, applies about 450 lb-ft of torque. Not likely as accurate as your torque wrench, but better than nothing if you don't have the right tool.

        Agreed that the data you have gathered is a real cause for concern.

        Rob
        Cate & Rob
        (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
        2015 Reflection 303RLS
        2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
        Bayham, Ontario, Canada

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        • #5
          For those out there that may not be familiar with Robs old school method. Force times distance = Torque as in his example......180lb x 2.5ft = 450 lb ft.

          Jim

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          • #6
            Guest

            Wait for it . . . is it ft-lbs or lb-ft ?? (You and I both know the answer ) I actually have a torque wrench that is labeled backwards!

            Rob
            Cate & Rob
            (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
            2015 Reflection 303RLS
            2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
            Bayham, Ontario, Canada

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            • #7
              Rob, Rob... Canada is metric! Shouldn't it really be IS's N m? [smile] (with a different value, of course!)
              Al and Kathe
              :No longer full-time. New sticks and bricks in East Helena, MT

              2018 Solitude 310GK 110463 (Rhett)
              2018 F350 CC DRW 4x4 Lariat (Scarlett)

              Visited states map on the blog (below)
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              • #8
                Originally posted by lobsters View Post
                Rob, Rob... Canada is metric! Shouldn't it really be IS's N m? [smile] (with a different value, of course!)
                Al . . . you are absolutely right! The only countries in the whole world that aren't metric are the US and the Bahamas . . . I was just trying to "fit in" here .

                Rob
                Cate & Rob
                (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                2015 Reflection 303RLS
                2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                Bayham, Ontario, Canada

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post

                  Al . . . you are absolutely right! The only countries in the whole world that aren't metric are the US and the Bahamas . . . I was just trying to "fit in" here .

                  Rob
                  Rob trying to fit in:

                  Click image for larger version

Name:	wolf-in-a-sheepskin-angol-kifejez%C3%A9sek-%C3%A9s-idi%C3%B3m%C3%A1k.jpg
Views:	1538
Size:	47.0 KB
ID:	13509
                  Curtis, Christine, Cole, and Charlotte
                  2007 Chevrolet Silverado Duramax LBZ, CCLB
                  2020 Momentum 351M
                  2004 Essex Vortex

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by OffToHavasu View Post

                    Rob trying to fit in:

                    Click image for larger version  Name:	wolf-in-a-sheepskin-angol-kifejez%C3%A9sek-%C3%A9s-idi%C3%B3m%C3%A1k.jpg Views:	0 Size:	47.0 KB ID:	13509
                    Is that a "Baaaa with a Bite"? ? aka a Wolf in sheep clothing in other words a "BaWolf"

                    I know, go back to my corner
                    Keith

                    PS I can think of a few more
                    2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

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                    • #11
                      TucsonJim , Cate&Rob or any other mechanical guru--does it matter if the 1 7/8" socket is a 6 point or 12 point when used for the application of torqueing the hitch ball nut?
                      Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

                      2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by howson View Post
                        TucsonJim , Cate&Rob or any other mechanical guru--does it matter if the 1 7/8" socket is a 6 point or 12 point when used for the application of torqueing the hitch ball nut?
                        6 point would be preferred but I would believe that the 12 point would not make a difference in the torque.

                        Brian
                        Brian & Michelle
                        2018 Reflection 29RS
                        2022 Chevy 3500HD

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by howson View Post
                          TucsonJim , Cate&Rob or any other mechanical guru--does it matter if the 1 7/8" socket is a 6 point or 12 point when used for the application of torqueing the hitch ball nut?
                          Won't make any difference on the torque - but at high torque values, a 12-point socket is more apt to crack than a good 6-point socket. Ask me how I know.

                          Rob
                          Rob & Laura
                          U.S. Army Retired (Rob)
                          2012 F350 DRW CC Lariat PS 6.7, PullRite OE 18K
                          2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS and disc brakes, solar, BB LiFePO4, DP windows
                          (Previously in a 2016 Reflection 337RLS)
                          Full time since 08/2015

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post
                            Hi Jim,

                            In the "old days" (before I could afford a torque wrench like that ) we did this the old-fashioned way. A 180 lb guy standing on one foot on the end of a 2 1/2 ft breaker bar, applies about 450 lb-ft of torque. Not likely as accurate as your torque wrench, but better than nothing if you don't have the right tool.

                            Agreed that the data you have gathered is a real cause for concern.

                            Rob
                            Funny you should mention that, Rob. The rear axle nuts on the old VWs required, IIRC, about 240 ft. lbs. My grandfather worked draglines for the US Boundary Commission in the '20s and '30s. He had a set of sockets that went up to 3 or 4 inches... and a six-foot breaker bar. Even a 5'10" 140 lb. teenager could remove those VW axle nuts.

                            Rob
                            Rob & Laura
                            U.S. Army Retired (Rob)
                            2012 F350 DRW CC Lariat PS 6.7, PullRite OE 18K
                            2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS and disc brakes, solar, BB LiFePO4, DP windows
                            (Previously in a 2016 Reflection 337RLS)
                            Full time since 08/2015

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by howson View Post
                              TucsonJim , Cate&Rob or any other mechanical guru--does it matter if the 1 7/8" socket is a 6 point or 12 point when used for the application of torqueing the hitch ball nut?
                              Hi Howard,

                              You are picking up on an old thread here .
                              I am surprised that you could find a 1 7/8 twelve point socket. At the kind of torque that size nut is capable of, a twelve point is likely to split or tear the corners off the socket or the nut. 6 or 12 point will make no difference to the torque . . . but is a lot safer to do with the 6 point.

                              Rob
                              Cate & Rob
                              (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                              2015 Reflection 303RLS
                              2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                              Bayham, Ontario, Canada

                              Comment

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