Installed new receiver hitch on utility trailer

[lzicc]

I had to replace my coupler on my utility trailer. I ordered it from Etrailer. It is a bolt on. 3 bolts go on each side. The angle on the trailer was not long enough to catch the front bolt, so I installed it on top. If you look closely in the picture, you can see through the front hole. I would think this should hold fine, but wanted a second opinion. I used Grade 8, 1/2" bolts.

 

[Xfaxman]

My opinion is TLAR.

(That Looks About Right).

 

[4get gto]

Don't know the weight you're putting on the trailer but if it's your typical 2k-3k pound I wouldn't be afraid of it. Could weld it too.

 

[Snobdds]

Looks good to me, probably even better.

 

[lzicc]

I sold my Mig when I moved, so welding is not an option unless I take it somewhere. I would think it would hold fine. It's 4k utility trailer payload. Like a regular landscape trailer. The most I haul is usually 2 yards of mulch. Plus I have the safety chains just in case. I was going to add 2 more bolts on top, but I don't want to go crazy either.

 

[CobyRupert]

It looks like that for those top bolts to fail now you would have to pull the bolt apart (tension forces), where as if installed "correctly" they will fail by being cut perpendicular (shear forces).
I found some info on the internet (so it must be true!) that says "the ultimate shear strength of a fastener is typically about 60% of its ultimate tension strength." - So the bolts are "stronger" by being mounted through the top than the side.
That's my 2 cents. I'm not a mechanical engineer nor do I play one on TV. Maybe others can confirm or correct.

Grade 5 vs Grade 8 Fasteners - TineLok

 

[Snobdds]

It looks like that for those top bolts to fail now you would have to pull the bolt apart (tension forces), where as if installed "correctly" they will fail by being cut perpendicular (shear forces).
I found some info on the internet (so it must be true!) that says "the ultimate shear strength of a fastener is typically about 60% of its ultimate tension strength." - So the bolts are "stronger" by being mounted through the top than the side.
That's my 2 cents. I'm not a mechanical engineer nor do I play one on TV. Maybe others can confirm or correct.

Grade 5 vs Grade 8 Fasteners - TineLok

That's all fine and well, but you need to add context (forces involved) to really pass on such circumstantial hyperbole. Are those forces so high that they should be applied by the ton and really don't apply to a little utility trailer.

Context is everything...

 

[lzicc]

So what are you saying Snobdds? Do you think what I did suffices? Technically, to install the coupler per manufacturer, there should be 3 bolts on each side. Since I can't put the 3rd bolt on each side, I moved it to the top instead. Just not sure how much of a difference it makes being mounted on the top vs the bottom if any.

If look at the coupler and how I installed it, it looks it would hold very well, but that is just eyeing it up.

 

[Thomas]

I agree maybe little weld here and there for piece of mind.

 

[Snobdds]

So what are you saying Snobdds? Do you think what I did suffices? Technically, to install the coupler per manufacturer, there should be 3 bolts on each side. Since I can't put the 3rd bolt on each side, I moved it to the top instead. Just not sure how much of a difference it makes being mounted on the top vs the bottom if any.

If look at the coupler and how I installed it, it looks it would hold very well, but that is just eyeing it up.

Your fine. There is always someone that get's overly technical, but sometime those specs apply to loads and forces that a little trailer will never encounter. That's why context is everything.

 

[Ford850]

If that's the 10k lb coupler from Etrailer, you're more than covered with your bolts as is. Its intended to be used on much heavier trailers so 3 bolts would make more sense on those.

 

[Xfaxman]

Technically, to install the coupler per manufacturer, there should be 3 bolts on each side. Since I can't put the 3rd bolt on each side, I moved it to the top instead. Just not sure how much of a difference it makes being mounted on the top vs the bottom if any.

It is stronger the way you did it, than 3 in a row on the side.

 

[CobyRupert]

That's all fine and well, but you need to add context (forces involved) to really pass on such circumstantial hyperbole. Are those forces so high that they should be applied by the ton and really don't apply to a little utility trailer.

Context is everything...

Snob,

Circumstantial hyperbole? Please explain.

No need to add context. The OP only wanted to know if his modification would be fine. One does NOT have to quantifying the "forces involved" to say his connection is stronger.

Just like if he had only used 1 bolt to fasten the hitch. Whether that would be fine for his use or not, (i.e. the "context"), we don't care. Context is nothing. It would be weaker. Period.

 

[lzicc]

Thinking more about this, the coupler I purchased is rated for 10k trailer and my trailer is rated at 4-5k. The reason I went with a 10k rated one is that was the only that would handle the A frame bolt on.

 

[Snobdds]

Snob,

Circumstantial hyperbole? Please explain.

No need to add context. The OP only wanted to know if his modification would be fine. One does NOT have to quantifying the "forces involved" to say his connection is stronger.

Just like if he had only used 1 bolt to fasten the hitch. Whether that would be fine for his use or not, (i.e. the "context"), we don't care. Context is nothing. It would be weaker. Period.

Ok, just come out and say you really think it's a little weak for 75,000 pounds of force on a 5K trailer. Or maybe it's 100,000 of force, I mean at this point just throw a number out and claim it's not up to the task...oh you already did that.

 

[V65ozzie]

Looks fine to me, although I would have added weld, but I didn't get rid of my welder.......:laughing: The way you did it will more than suffice.

 

[BigBoyToys]

I sold my Mig when I moved

The one tool I could never part with! :laughing:

As others have mentioned you should be good to go. If you had the welder I'd just weld a piece of angle under those holes and bolt to that. Keeps it easily removable.
You could bolt the angle though the hitch and then through those holes too.