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Towing - Load Distribution Hitches

 
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These series of photos show the wear associated with a popular load distribution hitch.     When these photos were taken we had done less than 12,000Km.     The bearing surfaces have been kept clean and free of excessive dirt and grime and dry lube had always been generously applied.

When I raised this matter with the manufacturer at a recent Caravan & Camping Show in Brisbane, they replied they consider this wear not only normal but desirable, desirable because the friction that causes this wear contributes to the anti-sway properties of the device.

Talk about turning a negative into a positive !
Only a salesman could tell you that with a straight face.

I was advised I could either replace the worn parts or have them built up by welding.

This shows the wear on one side of the head of the torsion bars.  Only approximately 2/3 of this pivot point now remains.

This shows the load bearing points of the torsion bar receiver.

This clearly shows the wear on the lower pivot points.

The reddish rust stains are actually rusting metal fragments fallen from the upper pivot point and torsion bar.     These fragments visible here are the result of the final 450 Km leg of our last trip that I had forgotten to brush off.

Similarly, this shows the wear and "mushrooming" of one of the upper pivot points.

Likewise, this shows the wear and "mushrooming" of one of the lower pivot points.

I once spoke with another caravanner about this and he claimed not to have any problems with hitching up or wear.

The following day as he was leaving the caravan park I could see why.   He simply lifted each torsion bar up and fitted the chain to the over-centre hook and lifted it by hand.
He had the same 250 Kg torsion bars I have, but I estimate his torsion bar pre-load to be only 10 Kg per bar.

No wonder he didn't have any complaints with his load distribution hitch, it wasn't doing any work.

As he drove off with his Pajero 100mm lower at the back than the front, I just shook my head and hoped we never meet on the road coming from opposite directions.

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