Have you checked your trailer hitch?

[Crash935]

Okay guys, whens the last time you had the receiver out of your trailer hitch? Now why would i ask such a thing? In the last 2 weeks i have had 3 trucks in for hitch mounted spreader installs, and yes, the receiver was rusted into the hitch. I was able to save two of them at an additional charge to the customers, the third i just replaced the hitch (it was so bad that the cotter pin was rusted into the hitch pin). So everybody run out there and clean out and grease those receivers and hitch tubes while you still can!!!!

[Garagekeeper]

Crash935. How right you are!
Not only do you need to check the receiver tube but the main torsion cross tube too. Have had a few already that are rusted out towards the center were the receiver tube and safety chain loops are welded into the assembly.
So if your hitch is a few years old take your hammer and tap around all these areas and where the hitch mounts to your frame before you put your hitch to work.
:rolleyes: John.........

[wyldman]

Since we are on this topic,might as well check the whole thing.Look for loose bolts,excessive rusting,and cracks,especially on factory Chrysler hitches.

[Snoworks]

Ah - the good old days! One truck pulling/chained, against anouther truck, trying to get the receiver out of the hitch.

Had to launch my buddies 97 powerstroke with 15 feet of slack in the chain, before it broke free. I still have whiplash from that day.:rolleyes:

Chuck B.

[BWhite]

I still have to check out my hitch . the 500 # backplow requires it . Chris where would I be most likely to see cracks

[90plow]

Once their in they ussually dont come out. I had one stuck in my Dodge when I got it tried everything, heating it, beating it, even tried using my dads excavator :eek: nothing worked. Finally had to take it off and get a new one. Thats why I always leave it out, plus the fact that someone can steal it if its not locked in there.
Eric

[BWhite]

I always keep it greased and use a cheap plastic plug to keep the dirt/sand out

[seasonscape]

Ah - the good old days! One truck pulling/chained, against anouther truck, trying to get the receiver out of the hitch.

That sounds like more fun. I only chained it to a tree last time.

-Tim

[Big Nate's Plowing]

the one that was in the durango when we bought it was real bad, it took 2 good tugs with the bronco in low range and a 5/8" log chain to get it loose, now days we remove the pin before we try to pull the drawbar out ;)

Nate~
















and yes we had the pin out when it was rusted ;)

[Chuck Smith]

We did the tug o war with a chain to get my brother's out. Of course it was snowing.... I was out plowing, he found me, and we tugged each other all over the parking lot..... I ended up getting it out with an 8# sledge. I left the chain on to my truck, with tension on it... The sledge did the rest.

He had Neversieze on his..... I guess it didn't work. Much like Neversieze on the Meyer mount (first edition with no splits and set screws).

~Chuck

[Roger Dodger]

This is a very recent and strange but true story. Just 2 weeks ago I decided to pull the WD head out of the receiver. Hmmmm, it won't budge. Try BFH, large drift punches from the backside, PB Blaster, and an even bigger BFH. :headwall

Finally, 4wd, a chain and a cement pole holding up a parking lot light did the trick. :burnout
Didn't take much oomph but, more of a correctly applied force than the BFH yielded!

Worse part is I applied Neverseize liberally back in May!! Here's why I spent an hour trying to unstick that stupid thing:
Throughout the summer I hauled bark, pea gravel, and bags of cement. Just enough of the right sized crud worked its way inside the receiver to wedge everything. The bark swelled from rain and washings and any cement dust helped solidify things; there was no clearance. Next time I haul stuff like that, the ball mount comes out!

[Garagekeeper]

Just have too say that "anti-seeze" washes off and doesn't do much good in this application for very long.
Grease those tubes up with a good grade of chassie grease which wouldn't wash out and has rust inhibitors in it.
Besides you wouldn't get your hands all "silver" using it.
:rolleyes: John............

[wyldman]

Most of the cracks will be right up near the bolts that connect it to the frame.They will crack there,and spread around the bend and towards the bottom of the side plates.This is very dangerous,and don't try repairing it.Just replace it.

[sno-mover]

I think we have all been there, I know I have:headwall

[festerw]

I use a cheap can of white grease and hose down the tube once before winter and once more in the spring, then do the ball mount and the pin, never had a problem with it getting stuck. Oh yea before I grease them I use a degreaser and a toilet bowl brush to clean all of the crud out of the tube. The toilet bowl brush works great for lots of things, cleaning wheels, wheel wells, behind the bumper, course I have lots of them laying around too (we sell janitorial supplies)

[EIB]

I take mine out after I'm done using it. Cover the hole with a rubber cover. I also have teflon grease I put on the draw bar and the ball.

[digger242j]

Besides which, if you take it out you eliminate the chance that you'll walk too close to the back of the truck and smack your shinbone. :wah

[Snoworks]

digger - LMAO - How right you are, accept that for me, its my knee that finds its way to the reciever!:D. I am short 5'-8".

Chuck B.

[Dan725]

I always take mine out and leave it behind the seat for shin and theft purposes.

[Roger Dodger]

Originally posted by festerw
The toilet bowl brush works great for lots of things, cleaning wheels, wheel wells, behind the bumper, course I have lots of them laying around too (we sell janitorial supplies)
Do you have a customer satisfaction policy allowing returns from unsatisfied customers? If so, I'd like to return some toilet paper that I am not impressed with. On the packaging, it states something about returning the remaining portion(s) for reimbursement. Actually, I'll be returning the used portions, since that's what didn't meet my expectations!:eek:


;) ;) ;) Just kiddin' w/ ya festerw!

[festerw]

Originally posted by Roger Dodger
Do you have a customer satisfaction policy allowing returns from unsatisfied customers? If so, I'd like to return some toilet paper that I am not impressed with. On the packaging, it states something about returning the remaining portion(s) for reimbursement. Actually, I'll be returning the used portions, since that's what didn't meet my expectations!:eek:


;) ;) ;) Just kiddin' w/ ya festerw!


Send it back to the manufacturer, we just supply they handle tech support:p

[Alan]

I got into a fight with a hitch "spud" and decided I WOULD win! This was on a hitch I had salvaged off another Blazer to use on mine. The hitch sleeve was closed at the front and the spud was rusted in solid.

I got the pin out with only minor applications of the BFH, but the spud would not respond to heat or penetrating fluids so it was time to get NASTY!

I cut the back of the tube off so I could access the end of the spud. Then I cut a 2" square of 1/2" plate to fit against the spud so there was something to push on. Next I welded two plates to the sides of the tube with another plate across them so I had a palce to put a 12 ton jack and push against the spud.

I took all the strain I could on the jack,, nothing,,, maybe even less than nothing. Brought the rosebud into play and heated the tube,, and heated the tube,, and leaned on the jack handle.

Finally got this loud SQUEAK! and the spud moved just enough to see. Wound the jack up tight again and kept the heat on and SCREECH!!! moved again! kept at it for about an inch and hten it got to where I could get movement just by strongarming the jack handle.

Yeah, probably not worth the hassle but I won,, I mean I really, REALLY, WON!!!!