Weight Distributing Hitch Weld failure

[Furu]

Had a bit of a time trying to get a decent photo of the failure but I have a weight distribution hitch from a major named manufacturer of weight distribution hitches that had a weld fail on me this week.

The weld did not really penetrate the metal to any great degree. It was basically a surface weld (less than 1 mm penetration). Interestingly the two mated surfaces were not beveled before welding.
I have to clean up the joint and try to figure out what I want to do. It will take a good bit of heat to straight the metal. Then I would do a bevel and weld it. The other solution is if that joint failed what about the other joints on the hitch? Do they have welds waiting to fail?
How do you spell too little heat/amps/prep. Rather surprised but lack of penetration does not lie.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

How old is it? Even if out of warranty a reputable manufacturer may well replace it. For the purpose and stress applied to such a part I would not try to weld it. Too big a liability out there on the highway if you lose a trailer in traffic. This is one area where I would not trust something that did not have a certification with it to spread the risk in an accident case. That leaves out most of the overseas made stuff.

Ron

 

[Furu]

Well it is hard to see from my less than good photo but the part that is bent cracked is the little dog ear for the sway bar. The newer design uses a one piece plate that gives the sway bar attach point as well as the main part of the hitch. This older version (2003) had a dog ear welded onto the main body for the sway bar attach point.. I agree about the repair, but if I do not use the sway bar which I only do on the RV trailer, not the equipment trailers, it doesn't matter. My concern is as I said, the other joint welds that are integral to the hitch main structure. Those welds are trailer get away from tow vehicle type events. This weld failure only effect the sway bar part of the hitch not the tow or weight distribution part even though it is all integral to same unit.

Old style (the one that had the problem)



New Style design (one piece unit)

 

[LD1]

I wonder if it was supposed to be welded on the other side too and someone forgot?

 

[Shield Arc]

I would copy the design of the newer hitch. A bigger plate, instead of tabs welded on the side. If the threaded stud on the ball is not long enough, maybe cut the hole in the plate big enough to go over the ball, and still get some weld on the inside of the hole.

 

[orezok]

I would contact the manufacturer. Almost every one of them will give you a free replacement even if you are not the original owner. They would rather spend $100 for a replacement than spent $$$ defending a lawsuit that they have absolutely no responsibility for someone elses modification.

 

[Cord]

Went around and around with a weight distribution head that had cracked. The crack started at a sharp corner that concentrated the forces and then propagated through a very thick section of metal. Failure would have resulted in separation of the trailer from the vehicle. Not wanting to admit their defect, Reese gave me every excuse in the book: It was rusty (it wasn't), it was overloaded (it wasn't), it was oversized for the vehicle (it wasn't)... Up to the point that I filed a claim with NTSB, Reese didn't give a hoot.

 

[OkieDave]

I would copy the design of the newer hitch. A bigger plate, instead of tabs welded on the side. If the threaded stud on the ball is not long enough, maybe cut the hole in the plate big enough to go over the ball, and still get some weld on the inside of the hole.

I would run, not walk, away. Defective product is a strict liability tort in personal injury in most jurisdictions; you can be the best weldor in the world, do everything perfectly by-the-book, and if it fails again (say, due to a latent defect of which you have no knowledge--and you already know it was poorly made), you're on the hook for injury damages. Your performance just isn't a question: it failed, somebody was hurt, you pay. You already know it's lousy; why take that risk?

Let the manufacturer make good on it.

 

[OkieDave]

I would copy the design of the newer hitch. A bigger plate, instead of tabs welded on the side. If the threaded stud on the ball is not long enough, maybe cut the hole in the plate big enough to go over the ball, and still get some weld on the inside of the hole.

I would run, not walk, away. Defective product is a strict liability tort in personal injury in most jurisdictions; you can be the best weldor in the world, do everything perfectly by-the-book, and if it fails again (say, due to a latent defect of which you have no knowledge--and you already know it was poorly made), you're on the hook for injury damages. Your performance just isn't a question: it failed, somebody was hurt, you pay. You already know it's lousy; why take that risk? In fact, if you modify it, you may be acting to shield the original manufacturer from liability, shifting their risk onto yourself.

Let the manufacturer make good on it.

 

[Shield Arc]

Very solid advice OkieDave!
I try to pick my battles, also who I'll build something for. Over the years I have built several truck hitches, for my self, and friends.