Hitch popped off ball!
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8050
Printed Date: 27 Apr 2024 at 10:42pm
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Topic: Hitch popped off ball!
Posted By: Retroactive
Subject: Hitch popped off ball!
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 11:53am
So we are just leaving the beach yesterday and merging onto the highway, when we hit a dip at the expansion joint the hitch popped right off the ball. I know the hitch was engaged, and there was a lock through the hitch lever. This is not me making some noob mistake, I am and engineer who has designed all manner of machines. I know the whole thing was engaged properly, because I have been showing my wife how to connect the basic hitch - in the event she needs to move it around while I am on a business trip etc. On this trip we did the connect both times, and double checked each others work - the hitch was engaged for sure. Before going on the highway we hit all kinds of bumps on the backroads, it would have popped off long before if the hitch was not engaged. The only thing I can assume is the adjustment bolt loosened up after less than 300 miles, or was never adjusted right in the first place. My buddy tows his snowmobiles and said he has seen it happen more than once out on the highway during peak season, now I know to test the hitch connection by jacking it up higher than the truck sits.
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Replies:
Posted By: Rodpod
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 11:55am
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I'm assuming you are using a 2" ball? ------------- 2016 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 12:08pm
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Yes. I know this for sure, because the size is printed on top of the ball. Like I said I am an engineer who has designed textiles machinery the size of a small house, as well as robotics refined enough to handle delicate silicon wafers. I am 47 and by the time I was 13 could do all my own work on my 80cc bike, and had a rollaway full of tools. I am not a person who makes mistakes when it comes to mechanical things. I can say with 100% certainty this thing was hooked up right. The only thing that makes sense is the adjustment issue. When the downpour stops, I am going to jack it up to see if it pops out. ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 2:24pm
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Scary! I will go and check ours as well. I always raise the hitch when connected in order to get the Equal-i-zer bars in place. I would think that it would pop out then if it were not engaging properly.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 2:35pm
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Another argument for using an Equalizer/E2 type WDH. It not only tests the ball engagement, but also exerts a force to keep it engaged while travelling.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 2:36pm
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The irony is that I blew off installing the WDH, it would have been the initial setup and time consuming. I was only doing ~90 miles each way and my Tahoe is a beast, I had to prioritize time for other things (plus I live on one of the tallest hills in the eastern half of MA, I need to drive about 10 miles to find a large level parking lot). Oof, had I set it up this would probably not have happened...6,000 WDH spring pressing down would have kept the 2,500 trailer from popping off. The old adage is true, you do truly learn something new every day...just not usually by dropping a fiberglass missile onto the highway!
edit: AMEN Charlie, AMEN! I advise all noobs get a WDH similar to the E2. Money well spent, I am certain the WDH would have save my arse in this situation. I have nerves of steel, but having that damn thing thing pop off on the highway left me more "rattled" than I have been in decades...seriously, 24 hours later and it gives me the shivers when it suddenly pops into mind.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 2:43pm
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Did the chains catch it, or did the hitch hit the road? What happened to your R-Pod? I was always taught to cross the chains underneath to catch the hitch if something like this should happen.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 2:57pm
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The chains did their job, and saved the pod! I remembered to cross them when hooking up, it seemed to reduce the sway. The tip of the tongue never touched the ground, because the flip foot is a BEAST. It hit the ground at highway speed, and got dragged for at least several hundred feet until I could pull over. It was flipped up, so it literally gouged the pavement like and ice cream scoop. It is battered and bruised, scraped to hell and a bit warped...but the foot is working just fine...build that stuff like it is meant for war...'Murica!
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 3:01pm
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WOW! I'm glad it ended up being okay. To be safe, I would think it prudent to replace the foot.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 3:06pm
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That is the plan, get a new foot on before the next trip. Plus, I won't need a blowtorch to remove the pavement which is permanently fused inside of it...right now the pod is "leveled" with the stuff in there...until the next hot day when it sags! ------------- |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 3:14pm
| I have had number of trailers over the years--3-4 horse trailers, boats, utility - and I find the rPod is the hardest to hitch up. The little ball keeper thingy just wants to ride up over the ball. I have started jacking up the trailer again after it is hooked up just to check again.I am getting an Anderson WDH from a friend soon and that will help. A little trailer trick -- if your chains are a bit long when you hook them up one can always twist the chains to shorten them. The other advantage of crossing the chains is that they will never over tighten in a sharp turn. |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 3:17pm
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Are there any hitch upgrades that don't require a cut-n-weld job?
EDIT: Also, are there any alternatives to the "flip foot"? IMHO it is very wobbly anyhow, making it hard to slide around for final alignment during hitching. ------------- |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 3:29pm
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And in the "Phew!" category: the one other thing that got slightly damaged was the wiring harness. Even though it was only 1" from the connector, and nowhere near something that could have rubbed, during the drag something must have shot up and grazed it. It blew a hole through the edge of the cable jacket, but quite literally stopped short of cutting through any of the individual wire insulation. I am familiar with cable harness manufacturing techniques, I'll just grab some adhesive shrink tube from work and patch it for the short term. ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 8:48pm
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The WDH improves the ride quality with my 2010 Suburban. I tried half a trip w/o it and used it the rest of the time we had our pod. I always recommend raising the TV's bumper with the jack to ensure the latch is engaged. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 8:50pm
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+1 on testing it every time!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Grey51shadw
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 10:06pm
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Where is the best place for me to get basic info on hitches and sway. I have ordered a sway bar installed for our 178 being picked up later in the month. After reading all the posts, I realize I should be more specific with the dealer and I don't know what I'm doing.
Don't even know what y'all mean by WDH and I need a basic primer on hitching. Thanks, Lynne ------------- '17 178 '16 F150SC ..aRtPODist at large |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 May 2016 at 11:16pm
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Lynne, WDH = Weight Distribution Hitch. Two brands that are widely used are the http://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Equal-i-zer/EQ37060ET.html - Equal-i-zer 4-way sway control hitch (the one I have) or the http://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Fastway/FA92-00-0600.html - 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 http://www.huskytow.com/product/brute-super-foot/ - 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,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Grey51shadw
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 12:24am
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Thanks Stephen this is starting to make more sense. ------------- '17 178 '16 F150SC ..aRtPODist at large |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 9:39am
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. ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 1:09pm
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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 https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/ - 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,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 1:13pm
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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. ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 1:46pm
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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 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 2:08pm
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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! ------------- |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 2:43pm
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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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Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 2:54pm
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That is what I assumed, wait until the WDH is on before making any decisions. ------------- |
Posted By: Pete Brayton
Date 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. |