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Topic ClosedHitch popped off ball!
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Pete Brayton View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2015
Location: Parker, CO
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Posts: 124 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Hitch popped off ball!
    Posted: 31 May 2016 at 3:06pm
Somewhere in this forum there was a thread about this very issue with certain types of hitches. It was recommended that they be replaced.
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Retroactive View Drop Down
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Posts: 270 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2016 at 2:54pm
That is what I assumed, wait until the WDH is on before making any decisions.
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furpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2016 at 2:43pm
Actually, it's not as easy to take up a link, or adjust the chains as most think. The factory spot welds the nut to the bolt. Don't adjust the length until you get your WDH sorted out. It will most probably have an effect on needed chain length.
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Posts: 270 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2016 at 2:08pm
Right. I'm never taking the pod on the road again without the WDH, but if for some unknown reason I have too - the chain length is something I will never forget!
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2016 at 1:46pm
Mine did not suggest anything like that either. I'm not convinced that the people working at dealerships are "experts" in actually towing them safely.

Thanks. I'll have to look into adjusting my chains as well. While I don't expect the hitch to pop off the ball, especially with the WDH, it still would be good to have them at the proper length.
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
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Retroactive View Drop Down
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Posts: 270 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2016 at 1:13pm
I guess another thing the dealer should have set up for me, was to adjust the safety chains. After talking to a few tradesmen buddies, adjusting the length of the chains so that the retracted foot never bottoms is critical. Seeing as the chains look like they can be adjusted without cutting links, I am surprised the dealer didn't at least suggest that I do it.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2016 at 1:09pm
Okay. My misunderstanding. I don't know how you could avoid welding to replace the trailer's hitch socket. That is certainly something I would want to leave to a professional welding shop.

The hitch that is on my R-Pod is made by Atwood Mobile Products, P/N 80072/84176. It also has "Do not exceed 5000 lbs 700 lbs tongue weight, SAE/CSA Class 3, 2 inch ball. It is possible that you got a bad hitch. There are a couple of things you probably should do.

First, take it to your dealer for inspection. if it is defective, then it should be replaced under warranty.

Second, report it to the NHTSA. If there are other reports, it could indicate a problem with the hitches that may affect more people, or it could indicate a design flaw that needs to be addressed.

This is what mine looks like from underneath when it is in the closed position. There is a bar above the back part to limit the amount it can swivel when it is locked.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
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Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Retroactive View Drop Down
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Posts: 270 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2016 at 9:39am
Originally posted by StephenH


Retroactive: What do you mean about hitch upgrades not requiring welding? If you already have the proper receiver on your tow vehicle, then installation of a WDH does not require any welding. As for alternatives to the Fastaway Flip Foot that came with your R-Pod (but not mine), I am using the Husky Brute Super Foot that uses a pin to switch between lowered and stowed positions. I ended up having to shorten it by cutting the tube portion in half and drilling new holes as otherwise, I could not swivel it down in our driveway due to the slope. I wasn't able to level the trailer with the 7" extension. I purchased it at Camping World.

I don't know how stable it is compared to the Fastaway Flip Foot. It has been pretty solid so far.

What I meant by hitch is actually the mechanism on the tongue, but after searching I didn't find anything. It seems that some people who do a lot of commercial towing use a "pintle hitch" to idiot proof the process. The Fastway foot flips down using only gravity, so when the pod is leveled the whole trailer rocks slightly on the bolt because there is no pin or mechanism holding it in place on the other axis.
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Grey51shadw View Drop Down
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Posts: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2016 at 12:24am
Thanks Stephen this is starting to make more sense.
'17 178
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 May 2016 at 11:16pm
Lynne,

WDH = Weight Distribution Hitch. Two brands that are widely used are the Equal-i-zer 4-way sway control hitch (the one I have) or the Fastaway E2 Weight Distribution with 2-Point sway control hitch. There are others as well. You could check out etrailer.com's information about each. They have videos which can help explain the concept.

Retroactive: What do you mean about hitch upgrades not requiring welding? If you already have the proper receiver on your tow vehicle, then installation of a WDH does not require any welding. As for alternatives to the Fastaway Flip Foot that came with your R-Pod (but not mine), I am using the Husky Brute Super Foot that uses a pin to switch between lowered and stowed positions. I ended up having to shorten it by cutting the tube portion in half and drilling new holes as otherwise, I could not swivel it down in our driveway due to the slope. I wasn't able to level the trailer with the 7" extension. I purchased it at Camping World.

I don't know how stable it is compared to the Fastaway Flip Foot. It has been pretty solid so far.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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