Would you use an aluminum ball mount?
02-21-2007, 09:52 AM
#21
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The picture shows it in the drop position. In that configuration, the load from the trailer hits the ball shank pretty close to the receiver with a small lever arm. If you flip it upside down to make a rise, and invert the ball, you've more than doubled the lever arm. I'd be wary.
And I agree, I wouldn't want to test that adjustible height setup at full load rating.
02-21-2007, 10:35 AM
#22
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Brian, which one isn't solid, the adjustable or fixed? I held these things in my hands at SEMA and they're solid; machined out of a billet block. I'd say the fixed height unit weighs more than a comparable hollow steel piece. I do like that hitch ball you linked; THAT would be worth the money.
02-21-2007, 01:01 PM
#24
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I didn't think I'd get this much feedback but glad I did. I haven't given up on wanting an aluminum drawbar, but I'm considering other options.
Thanks.
02-21-2007, 04:34 PM
#25
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These drop hitches scare the crap out of me. I can't for the life of me understand how in the world these guys get these things certified and DOT approved for 10,000#, 1500# tongue weight.
I don't know what the hell kind of aluminum they're using, I'm sure it's a common commercial grade, but even if I assume it's a high-strength grade something like a 2024-T4 or a 7075-T4, with Ftu's approaching 70,000psi, there's no way in hell they can have positive margins......Even in a simple load case, like 10,000# forward (light braking = 1G), 1,500 down, and a slight side load for good measure, I'm seeing negative margins which equals failure!
Add to this the fact, that these things live a hard life with dents, scratches, corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (especially in aluminums), fatigue, dynamic cyclical loading, the occasional crater pothole, etc., etc.....
Not for me thanks.
I don't know what the hell kind of aluminum they're using, I'm sure it's a common commercial grade, but even if I assume it's a high-strength grade something like a 2024-T4 or a 7075-T4, with Ftu's approaching 70,000psi, there's no way in hell they can have positive margins......Even in a simple load case, like 10,000# forward (light braking = 1G), 1,500 down, and a slight side load for good measure, I'm seeing negative margins which equals failure!
Add to this the fact, that these things live a hard life with dents, scratches, corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (especially in aluminums), fatigue, dynamic cyclical loading, the occasional crater pothole, etc., etc.....
Not for me thanks.
Gold Member
02-21-2007, 06:19 PM
#29
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Those shiny, polished aluminum hitches are nice for the landscaper with the 1-ton truck with the 8-inch lift pulling a 1400# trailer, but for anything substantial, get the biggest nastiest hitch you can find.
Don't let that be the weakest link.
