What's with "hitch pins" for sale that say "not rated for towing"?

[Colonel Monk]

What's with "hitch pins" for sale that say "not rated for towing"?

Gents,

I'm not new to the forum, but this is a question that I have in my job.

I design equipment trailers. Not for hauling equipment, but a trailer that has both a hydraulic mast and boom. They weigh about 4000# each and are towed in tandem pairs. For road construction.

Now, I have a new design I'm finishing up, it's got a telescoping tongue so you can stow it on the jobsite.

I'm using a 3/4 hitch pin for the tongue. So far, I'm using the kind that you can buy at farm and fleet with the red plasti-dip handles, but it's only painted not plated and they are getting rusty already.

So I search online, and I find many vendors, including McMaster saying that the pins are "not rated for towing". What? It's a hitch pin, how can you say it's not rated for towing?

Says that Steel pins have a minimum Rockwell hardness of C19, in the next breath they arent' used for towing.

I'm not really overly concerned about an 8000# braking load shearing a 3/4 pin, after all the trailers both have electric brakes. But I'm pretty hesitant to select a pin with a towing disclaimer. If they ever did break, the first thing the lawyers would do is look at the description and you'd be liable for this.

I need a hitch pin, 3/4 dia x 6", cotter pin and preferably plated yellow zinc chromate. Any ideas where you'd look for one without disclaimer?

What do you think of this trend "not rated for towing"? I can buy $7 pins all over the place and would hate to spend $20 or more just to have material certification.

Your thoughts please.

CM

 

[JerryK]

Re: What's with "hitch pins" for sale that say "not rated for towing"?

My bet is that it is a legal thing.... like ' not rated for lifting '. Just an old geezer guess, though .....

 

[Colonel Monk]

Re: What's with "hitch pins" for sale that say "not rated for towing"?

My bet is that it is a legal thing.... like ' not rated for lifting '. Just an old geezer guess, though .....

Seems like it Jerry.... But their legal thing becomes my legal thing. I love McMaster but when you don't know where they buy you can't get any great specs....

Now, Rockwell C19 is the same as a Grade 5 bolt in hardness. Our old model trailer used a Grade 8 bolt, probably also for "legal reasons".... because **** sure aren't going to shear a 3/4 bolt with an 8000lb pulling load. Just look at the size of the pin used for a receiver hitch. They are all clear zinc finish, I'm guessing they are about the same hardness.

Search continues

CM

 

[CDennyRun]

Re: What's with "hitch pins" for sale that say "not rated for towing"?

Here ya go: https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessories/Redline/346H.html

Nothing says it's not rated for towing, it's zinc plated, and has 6" of usable length.

Regards,

Chris

 

[RippySkippy]

Re: What's with "hitch pins" for sale that say "not rated for towing"?

Wow, that would seem like an easy answer wouldn't it? Searching on-line didn't reveal anything, and in your situation I would contact a manufacturer like Special Products Co (Speeco) (Toll Free: 800-525-8322) that from your description may have been the brand you purchased originally. This pin $6.99 - usable 6.25" Amazon.com : Special Products (Speeco) P71032CL Hitch Pin with Chain Accessories for Tractors, 3/4 by 6-1/4-Inch : Hardware Hairpin Clips : Patio, Lawn & Garden says hitch pin but is in the "non-towing category". The description says nothing about being a non-towing pin.

If you find out an answer, please post back, I'd be interested in learning why. If they are not intended for "hitching", "hitch" should not be in the title (imho), seems to be misleading.

Darwin

 

[4570Man]

Likely a legal thing, but they could be made for tractor implements.

 

[RippySkippy]

Re: What's with "hitch pins" for sale that say "not rated for towing"?

UNLESS we're reading it wrong.
"Non-towing hitch" pins could mean that the pin will not work in a "tow hitch" (I call it a receiver hitch). Google towing hitch pins and on Amazon and you get a boat load of pins that hold what I call receivers or ball mounts in the receiver hitch. Maybe the label is to alert those looking for that pin, it will not work for that application and not that it's not suitable for towing?????

Darwin

 

[farm boy00]

Is this the pin your talking about??

Its made to be used for spreaders choppers disks cultivators hay wagons balers rakes loaders 3pt pins.

But back when we helped our old neighbor with hay if your hooked a wagon to a truck that's what you used

 

[Ford850]

Re: What's with "hitch pins" for sale that say "not rated for towing"?

Seems odd at first, but when you think about it I guess it makes sense. A hitch ball with a threaded shank relies on compression from the nut for much of it's strength. A loose hitch ball is very dangerous and can snap the shank. Under normal farm use it those pins would never break but I have seen plenty of them bent. Under extreme cases such as an accident, I'm sure those pins could pop.

 

[LD1]

Re: What's with "hitch pins" for sale that say "not rated for towing"?

Wow, never seen that. I am curious what you find out.

A hitch by definition is for towing stuff. Having a "hitch pin" not rated for towing shouldnt be called a "hitch" pin.

Thats like saying a bolt aint rated for bolting stuff together. Or having a drawbar not rated for towing. OR electrical tape not rated for voltage.

Just crazy