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Old 03-18-2017, 09:16 AM   #1
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Thumbs up Lesson Learned

For years I have pulled trailers and no issues. For whatever reason that consumed my brain yesterday, I did something I can't explain. On a return trip home I hooked up the TT, attached sway bar and WD. Hit the road and was on our way. As we were pulling into the storage facility we heard something snap and then dragging. I stopped and found the sway control hitch ball snapped off the truck hitch assembly. This was late last night, so we decided to investigate in the morning.

Turns out I OVER TIGHTENED the sway bar. Yes, it can happen. I contacted Eaz-Lift last night and they emailed me back this morning. They said over tightening is not uncommon and WILL cause a failure along the sway control assembly. I contacted our RV repair facility and talked to the service guy we use all he time. He confirmed what Eaz-Lift had said.

So I say again: LESSON LEARNED
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Old 03-18-2017, 01:16 PM   #2
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We all have these moments from time to time.
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Old 03-18-2017, 08:38 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moore_rvers View Post
For years I have pulled trailers and no issues. For whatever reason that consumed my brain yesterday, I did something I can't explain. On a return trip home I hooked up the TT, attached sway bar and WD. Hit the road and was on our way. As we were pulling into the storage facility we heard something snap and then dragging. I stopped and found the sway control hitch ball snapped off the truck hitch assembly. This was late last night, so we decided to investigate in the morning.

Turns out I OVER TIGHTENED the sway bar. Yes, it can happen. I contacted Eaz-Lift last night and they emailed me back this morning. They said over tightening is not uncommon and WILL cause a failure along the sway control assembly. I contacted our RV repair facility and talked to the service guy we use all he time. He confirmed what Eaz-Lift had said.

So I say again: LESSON LEARNED
John, thanks for your post. I'll keep this in mind. I'm constantly over tightening everything. My wife was just on me today as we were adjusting the tv bracket in the rv, because she knows me too well...
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Old 03-19-2017, 10:58 AM   #4
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Steve, I'm glad my moment of brute strength could help you avoid the same issue. As we were driving I kept think that I did not here it moaning and popping as it should when making turns. Now I know why. I'm replacing the ball mount on the hitch on the truck and the sway plate tomorrow. The ball on the sway plate was a bit bent as well. I'm grateful it didn't snap off while doing 60mph. It broke making a 2mph turn.
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Stafford, VA

2016 Crossroads 291 RL Z-1
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Old 03-26-2017, 09:58 AM   #5
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That's the main reason I love my torque wrenches. I've stripped and broken so many bolts that it's not even funny. Case in point is "snug". Exactly how tight is that? My snug might require someone to use a wrench to loosen.
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Old 03-26-2017, 10:43 AM   #6
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Thanks for you post, I too (with my OCD) have a tendency to to over tight almost everything, even a water bottle until it just feels right, lol.

I definitely need to heed your advice. Thanks for sharing your experience

Quote:
Originally Posted by moore_rvers View Post
For years I have pulled trailers and no issues. For whatever reason that consumed my brain yesterday, I did something I can't explain. On a return trip home I hooked up the TT, attached sway bar and WD. Hit the road and was on our way. As we were pulling into the storage facility we heard something snap and then dragging. I stopped and found the sway control hitch ball snapped off the truck hitch assembly. This was late last night, so we decided to investigate in the morning.

Turns out I OVER TIGHTENED the sway bar. Yes, it can happen. I contacted Eaz-Lift last night and they emailed me back this morning. They said over tightening is not uncommon and WILL cause a failure along the sway control assembly. I contacted our RV repair facility and talked to the service guy we use all he time. He confirmed what Eaz-Lift had said.

So I say again: LESSON LEARNED
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