Newest 2016 21BHS coupler ball size?

[billmoore]

I actually can't tell if the nuts are inside the tube or the bolt goes all the way through. The Toyhauler frame member has a center support inside the tube that you can see here in this picture:



Because of the center piece, you can't see in to where the bolt is, and to see the back side I would have to remove the tongue jack. If it does go all the way through, I'm not too worried about collapsing the tube since there is that center support to prevent collapsing.

In this side on shot, you can see how close to the front of the frame member the bolt is:



It could come a little bit forward maybe, but too much and you'll get too close to the edge. It can't go any lower or it will have interference with the center support...

Also the coupler fits better on the frame than it does on the Camplites. There are no washers in between the coupler and the frame, and there is full metal to metal contact between the two. The outer frame members are 2"x6" with the center support at 3", and the center frame member is 4"x6". Then there are big triangular aluminum plates where all three come together.

I think the reason the toyhaulers have the frame so beefed up is because while LivinLite will never come right out and say it, there is no way a half ton truck can pull one of these without a real WD hitch. Mine has over 500 lbs tongue weight when sitting empty (with the propane tanks and battery on the tongue).

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Billmoore,

Interesting pictures. If I understand correctly the center support you refer to is horizontal as shown by my [font color="e63119"]red arrows[/font]. That makes for an interesting extrusion. If so it would prevent the collapse I mentioned. From experience the bending point (pivot point) is at my [font color="e6dd19"]yellow arrow[/font], just ahead of the front vertical bolt. The side bolt should be as far away and forward of that point as possible. I would have tried for somewhere around my [font color="dcd41f"]yellow circle[/font], maybe inside the tube about 1.25" from the front edge and below the center support, but you're there with eyes and hands on and I'm not. [/font][font size="3"]The metal to metal contact is great. [/font][font size="3"]All that said, I think you'll probably be fine. The heavier coupler and side bolts are certainly better than not. The 2x6 frame and 4x6 center tube really point to the intent to haul some serious stuff! Re you last comment, I agree with the need for WDH and, with or without LL's concurrence, it will be used.
 
[attachment id="1214" thumbnail="1"]       [attachment id="1215" thumbnail="1"]

[/font][font size="3"][/font]

[billmoore]

Charlie, yes the red arrows point at the center support. You're right, it is an interesting extrusion, I've never seen tubing like it before.

Where you have the yellow circle would definitely be stronger, but the space is really tight there. It is hard to get a real good look at it right now because the slope where I have the trailer parked puts the tongue too close to the ground to see up in there.

I could angle a camera up in there to get a picture, but I can't get my head under there...   

[charliem]

Charlie, yes the red arrows point at the center support. You're right, it is an interesting extrusion, I've never seen tubing like it before.

Where you have the yellow circle would definitely be stronger, but the space is really tight there. It is hard to get a real good look at it right now because the slope where I have the trailer parked puts the tongue too close to the ground to see up in there.

I could angle a camera up in there to get a picture, but I can't get my head under there...     

[font size="3"]Bill,  Thanks for your efforts. They really improve my understanding of what LL Thor is up to. To be clear, I'm not suggesting you start drilling unless you just have some spare time. You'll be fine as you are. My point is, given a closer look by LL's engineers, there might be a better placement of the side bolts. I'm also suggesting a placement for Camplite [/font][font size="3"]dealers and [/font][font size="3"]owners who do it themselves. [/font]