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Old 10-29-2016, 02:12 PM   #1
mosquitoman
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5/8" hitch pin

Has anyone had the hitch pin hole on their TV become worn and slightly oblong in shape? Mine has started this since I started using a weight distribution hitch.
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Old 10-29-2016, 03:39 PM   #2
bsmith0404
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Re: 5/8" hitch pin

It will happen with certain pins. If you see that, get a different one. When they start to elongate like that the metal is fatigued and will not support as much weight.
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Old 10-29-2016, 04:48 PM   #3
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Re: 5/8" hitch pin

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Originally Posted by bsmith0404 View Post
It will happen with certain pins. If you see that, get a different one. When they start to elongate like that the metal is fatigued and will not support as much weight.
Are you referring to the pin or the hitch itself? I think the OP said his hitch hole was elongating??
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Old 10-29-2016, 04:50 PM   #4
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Re: 5/8" hitch pin

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Originally Posted by mosquitoman View Post
Has anyone had the hitch pin hole on their TV become worn and slightly oblong in shape? Mine has started this since I started using a weight distribution hitch.
You should confirm the rating of your TV's receiver relative to the trailer you are pulling. The wall thickness of the receiver sounds like it may be thin for the load it is experiencing from the pin/TT.

As for it starting when using the WD, I would not expect that to be the case.
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Old 10-29-2016, 06:09 PM   #5
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Re: 5/8" hitch pin

Over the past 12 - 15 years I replaced 2 pins that I thought were compromised. Maybe/maybe not but felt cheap to even look better. Never had a problem with the
hole in the receiver though.
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Old 11-07-2016, 05:23 AM   #6
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Re: 5/8" hitch pin

The pin is fine its the hitch on my pickup that is elongating, this started after I purchased my 2200 passport and my Blue OX weight distributing hitch. I have 1000 lb bars on it. It pulls great, doesn't jerk or ride rough. I asked a local shop that specializes in hitches and they said it occasionally happens. I've never seen it before.
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Old 11-07-2016, 07:04 AM   #7
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Re: 5/8" hitch pin

Hi mosquitoman,

I pull a Laredo291TG travel trailer, weighs a little over 8k loaded. I use a Reese Dual cam WD hitch with 1200 lb bars and on my previous TV, a 2010 GMC 2500HD truck, I noticed that the pin hole was starting to elongate, it wasn't much but was definitely noticeable. That was the factory class 5 hitch with the 2-1/2" receiver (PIA I might add when you have all 2" stuff)
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Old 11-09-2016, 04:22 AM   #8
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Re: 5/8" hitch pin

I wonder if I should weld a plate on the sides of my hitch to reinforce it since I plan on keeping the pickup for several more years.
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Old 11-09-2016, 10:34 AM   #9
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Re: 5/8" hitch pin

This is a common problem over time. Some aftermarket hitch manufactures install reinforcements in that area because of it.

My Torklift Sperhitch Magnum (30k lbs) has them.

A guy could weld some washers as added strength... however if the elongation has already occurred, fixing is more difficult.


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Old 11-12-2016, 05:07 PM   #10
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Re: 5/8" hitch pin

I was looking at my hitch and it too is starting to get wear like it wants to elongate. After examining my hitch pin I suspect it is the problem. It is one that bends over at about a 45 degree angle. I've always liked it because it is keyed to my truck. But, with 11-1200 lbs on the hitch and being pulled into the hole constantly, the angled end appears to be causing the wear.

I purchased 3 grade 8 flat washers that don't exactly fit so I'll have to run a bit through them to see how it works. I'm a little skeptical because if they warp they will just pinch down on the pin. As an alternative, they make all kinds of hitch pins with a flat head; the down side is that my truck keys won't open it, but, I've got to fix the issue.
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Old 11-13-2016, 07:28 AM   #11
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Re: 5/8" hitch pin

I wouldn't go welding on it without having a discussion with the manufacturer. Assuming it is OEM there is no telling who made it unless they marked it. There is no way to tell what welding will do to the hitch metallurgy. I don't know if they are stress relieved, heat treated, oil quenched, or just robot welded steel of untraceable origin.
You may talk to a weld/fab shop about doing some NDT, maybe just a dye penetrant to look for any stress cracks. Then make a decision about repair or replace.
I usually use straight pins from Tractor Supply designed for 3 point tractor implements. I don't have a clue what grade they are. I'm just pulling a tandem axle boat trailer with maybe a 3,000 pound fiberglass bay boat on it. So far so good.
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Old 11-13-2016, 09:31 AM   #12
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Re: 5/8" hitch pin

No, I'm not going to weld anything for the concerns you mentioned. I am just going to slip them over the pin and let the washers space the 45 degree head away from the receiver. The receiver is a Class V and is just starting to show any wear so I'm not worried that it is damaged; I just want to stop the wear right now. I'm starting to lean toward just putting a new pin in with the squared head and be done with it.
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Old 11-13-2016, 10:51 AM   #13
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Re: 5/8" hitch pin

Long ago I started using this type hitch pin. It wasn't so much because of receiver hole wear, but more because they are easier to insert, remove and handle without having to "muscle that piece of bent steel rod". For me, having the handle to grab onto makes it easier to use. I don't know if it stops or even slows the elongation of the receiver holes, but......

Here's one source, I keep 3 or 4 around the house since I'm always needing one for the tractor, the trailer, the truck or even as a weight to throw a rope over a tree branch. http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pro...h?cm_vc=-10005
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Old 11-13-2016, 10:54 AM   #14
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Re: 5/8" hitch pin

Not that what I do is right, or the only way, or anyone else should do it, but I get those straight tractor pins with the shoulder on it, cut the wire pull handle off, and open the hole for the hairpin so that a Sessamee combination padlock will fit through it. Fewer keys the better for me.
edit....what John just posted. I keep a spare in the truck. My boat trailer has a swing tongue that uses the same pin. Some day some knuckleheaded kid is going to pull that boat pin and think he stranded me. Haha.
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Old 11-20-2016, 10:44 PM   #15
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Re: 5/8" hitch pin

My pin hole is moderately worn also, I do tow often, I have thought of all sorts of repair ways, but my gut and aviation experience says to just replace the whole hitch assembly. I don't want to because I will have to jack up or lift up the bed of my truck to get it off from what I have read on forums. As for cost I will just buy a used one from a wrecker that does not have the same wear problems. I doubt all people tow enough with these trucks for it to be a very common problem.
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