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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> Check your hitch bolts
Post Info TOPIC: Check your hitch bolts
ken and cindy


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Check your hitch bolts
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Be sure and check the bolts on your fifth wheel hitch periodically, and especially after a new hitch has been installed, right after you tow your 5'ver the first time.

We towed our new home to the RV park we are staying in, trip was about 35 miles. Noticed a strange sound coming from the hitch every time I came to a stop ,or started to pull.

After un-hitching and setting up, I got out my wrenches and re-tightened the bolts on my hitch, they had loosened up on the way home, all that weight squashed the metals together and created a loose connection. Now there's no more noise :) 

-- Edited by ken and cindy at 20:00, 2007-08-24

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"HONEY" whats that noise ??? Ken and Cindy---- 08 MONACO CAMELOT 43'
Jim01


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Great advice.

May I also suggest that people who pull travel trailers also check all their hitch mounting bolts on their tow vehicle, and don't forget the ball. Also those with Motorhomes, be sure to check all hitch and tow bar mounting bolts. I personally have had some tow bar mounting bolts come loose.

A few minutes with a wrench could save a lot of money, or even some one's life.

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mikeway


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Seconding that, we lost a tow trailer on the Interstate in Indiana due to loose frame hitch bolts. It was a factory installed tow package. The trailer and tow vehicle were totaled but no other issues.

A fellow Safari club member lost their towed vehicle also. In that instance, the welds had broken loose on the frame hitch receiver. Check all welded and bolted connections regularly.

Mike

-- Edited by mikeway at 12:21, 2007-08-25

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