Trailer Hitch question.

[Darter6]

I'm placing this question in the Racer Forum because racers tow allot.
Class 5 hitch receiver, Is it ok to use a 5/8'' grade 8 bolt and nut to replace the hitch pin ? I have been thinking of permanent attaching my ball mount to the receiver to eliminate slop.Yes,no,maybe ??

 

[Cranky]

How much slop does it have? With the weight of the trailer tongue, you shouldn't be feeling it even though there is some but to answer your question, yeah, you can bolt it on. Welding it would be even better.....

 

[moparwacko]

How well do you like your shins?
Those of us who don't tow with a receiver hitch regularly " forget" it's there.
Ouch
Luckily both my trailers are 5th wheel, and gooseneck. Once you tow either of those, you won't go back.
Short answer, bolt yes, weld - I wouldn't on my truck.

 

[Darter6]

Cranky, Not much as far as back and forth.More up and down.I do run equalizers. I plan to shim it tight to to get rid of the up and down.I'm sure the pins aren't any stronger than a grade 8 bolt and locking nut.

Yeah wacko, It will come off after. I just have a 5000 + mile round trip to make.

 

[68gtxman]

Yes. A pin does nothing for clamping force as opposed to that produced by a tightened bolt. The tightened bolt will offer not only shear force, but also the clamping force created by the friction between the pieces under compression from the bolt. So the bottom line is a bolt of the same diameter will give you more strength than a comparable pin of the same metal. A grade 8 bolt will give between 130 and 150KSI yield strength while a hitch pin only 36 KSI. Shear strength is typically 60% of tensile yield- FYI.

Here is a strength chart:

Remember that KSI is based on thousand pounds of force per square inches of cross section, so do the math and you can figure out the ultimate strength of any cross section.

 

[moparwacko]

You're past my pea brain GTXMAN!!
So a bolt is good?
Glad somebody knows this stuff

 

[68gtxman]

You're past my pea brain GTXMAN!!
So a bolt is good?
Glad somebody knows this stuff

Well, professional engineers are good for a few things.

 

[Cranky]

How well do you like your shins?
Those of us who don't tow with a receiver hitch regularly " forget" it's there.
Ouch
Luckily both my trailers are 5th wheel, and gooseneck. Once you tow either of those, you won't go back.
Short answer, bolt yes, weld - I wouldn't on my truck.

I've towed with 5th wheels too but hate the 'bed space' they take up (same for a goose neck but they do tow nice!) and after towing tags for enough years, you learn to walk AROUND the receiver whether or not the tongue in there LOL!! After 30 years, I leave mine in the receiver and dare anyone to try and steal it Some Ahole ran into the back of our Durango years ago and got the short end of the stick when he impaled his vehicle on the receiver that had the tongue in place....and then the moron tried to say it was our fault because of that! Diped sheeet

 

[Darter6]

68gtxman, THANK YOU you set my mind at ease. My father work in a steel mill and always said bolting parts together is stronger than you would think.And the right washers make it even stronger.Your post confirms my plan. Again many thanks.

 

[fwi]

I have used the bolt set up instead of the pin for my receiver hitch for years, it also feels a lot better without the slop.

 

[Darter6]

Thank you my friend.Bolted and hooked it up today.