Loose bolts on EQ hitch

[BirchyBoy]

Went to pick up my camper for the weekend trip and the two shank bolts were looses as well as the ball. The shank bolts were an easy fix, but I'll be darned if I could find a socket for the ball. I called all the auto parts stores, Harbor Freight, Sears and I even went to UHaul. No luck finding a thin wall socket the right size.

Going to try and hit up a couple RV stores tomorrow. Hopefully will be able to get one. If not, may have to see if the RV shop could put an impact wrench on it for me. I was surprised they were all loose. The dealer must not have torqued them properly when putting it all together.

[Ken / Claudia]

Just another maintaince type item to check once and awhile.

[therink]

I had that problem once. I used my bench vise to tighten the nut. Sounds weird but I had to improvise and it worked until I could locate an impact wrench.

[Fishhawk]

I took my hitch to my local GMC service shop
and asked them if they would tighten the hitch ball

They had the right size socket and did the job in 10 minutes
at n/c

Just a thought

[BirchyBoy]

Originally Posted by Fishhawk

I took my hitch to my local GMC service shop
and asked them if they would tighten the hitch ball

They had the right size socket and did the job in 10 minutes
at n/c

Just a thought

Good idea. I'll check that out. Thanks.

[BirchyBoy]

I called more stores today including a local RV place. The RV parts guy said that they don't stock the sockets because all of their mechanics have their own. When I asked if I could have them tighten mine, he said the minimum charge was $100. Yeah, no thanks.

Called Napa and they said they had one in stock for $24. Got there and it was $42. I guess the clerk on the phone was dyslexic. Yeah, no thanks.

Drove 20 minutes to a Tractor Supply and got the socket for $10, a 1/2" to 3/4" for $5 and a pipe wrench for $10. Got a helping hand to hold the pipe wrench on the ball and I tightened the ball nut with my breaker bar. It probably isn't 450lbs tight, but I'll keep an eye on it. How the heck does anyone hold an impact wrench with 450lbs of torque anyway? Seems impossible to me unless Popeye works at the shop.

[jtyphoid]

A 225 lb person hanging on the end of a 2' breaker bar is 450 lb-ft of torque. The only hard part is figuring out how to hold the draw bar up high so you can do it. Maybe mount a vise on the ceiling?

Edited to add: While this would indeed work, I am kidding. Applying large amounts of torque to heavy pieces of metal while standing underneath is not a good idea. Also, the DW probably won't like the vise mounted in the middle of the living room ceiling...

[BirchyBoy]

Originally Posted by jtyphoid

A 225 lb person hanging on the end of a 2' breaker bar is 450 lb-ft of torque. The only hard part is figuring out how to hold the draw bar up high so you can do it. Maybe mount a vise on the ceiling?

Edited to add: While this would indeed work, I am kidding. Applying large amounts of torque to heavy pieces of metal while standing underneath is not a good idea. Also, the DW probably won't like the vise mounted in the middle of the living room ceiling...

Ha! Yeah, she won't let me hang a picture without complaining about a pin hole in the wall.

[Tbos]

What clued you in that your hitch ball was working loose?

[BirchyBoy]

Originally Posted by Tbos

What clued you in that your hitch ball was working loose?

I was just doing some stuff with the truck and hitch and was wiping the grease off the ball. I noticed a little rust where the ball met the hitch and then tried to move it.

[denterjohn]

I bought a 15 inch adjustable wrench - put the hitch in the receiver sideways, and stand on it. You can't help but jump on it a little... I have never had one come loose. You can remove it the same way, just turn the hitch sideways in the other direction.