Bent Coupler on 21RBS

[daplumbr]

Observations and 2 questions......

The first photo shows a front coupler bolt that doesn't appear to be able to be torqued correctly because of a mis-installed washer. Someone cut the washer to clear a mis-aligned power tongue jack base, but didn't get enough removed. I'll remove that bolt and do it right. Question 1 is whether anyone knows the correct torque and correct grade hardware?

The 2nd two photos show the rear of the coupler that has a significant bend in it. Question 2, Is that bend normal, or has the rear been bent? If anyone with this style of coupler could take a look at theirs, I'd appreciate it. 


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[charliem]

[quote source="/post/16988/thread" timestamp="1449429470" author="@sandroad"]Observations and 2 questions......

The first photo shows a front coupler bolt that doesn't appear to be able to be torqued correctly because of a mis-installed washer. Someone cut the washer to clear a mis-aligned power tongue jack base, but didn't get enough removed. I'll remove that bolt and do it right. Question 1 is whether anyone knows the correct torque and correct grade hardware?

The 2nd two photos show the rear of the coupler that has a significant bend in it. Question 2, Is that bend normal, or has the rear been bent? If anyone with this style of coupler could take a look at theirs, I'd appreciate it.
[/quote][font size="3"]IF you have the same bolts as my 21RBS they are Grade 8 high strength bolts. The heads should be marked with 6 radial lines. See the reference. The recommended torque for 1/2" grade 8 course threaded bolts is 80 lb-ft.

My OEM coupler had a slight crown at the rear. If the bolts tighten flat and the jack flange is flat it's probably not a problem.

For reference on bolts:
[a href="https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/Materials-and-Grades/Bolt-Grade-Chart.aspx"]https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/Materials-and-Grades/Bolt-Grade-Chart.aspx[/a]
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[daplumbr]

Thanks! Just what I needed. I'll get out the torque wrench. 

[tinkeringtechie]

This is a pretty impressive coupler attachment. I had a similar thought to make a steel triangular "sleeve" that had the coupler welded to it and would slide over a good portion of the tongue. This takes it to another level though. Makes me think LL should have done something like this originally. Definitely beats four bolts.

[purdytj]

Hi all,
Before I do the side bolt addition on my coupler, perhaps I'm having the same problem as the original post. I've read through all pages of this thread... Mine looks a little bent to me. Should I call Livin' Lite and get a new 2&5/16" coupler first?

At first I thought it was an optical illusion, but I'd like to see photos by others who have the 2&5/16" coupler.

I have a 2015 28BHS and tow with a Duramax Silverado 3/4 ton. I had a weight distributing hitch for about 3 trips but removed it based on this thread, [a href="http://livinlite-owners.com/thread/149/weight-distribution-sway-tongue"]the WDH thread[/a], and the fact that I have airbags in the rear of the truck that I can adjust from the cab. We just did a trip of 240 miles without the WDH and it was no problem. The airbags worked great.

[purdytj]

Here are some photos from the dealer... I can't tell for sure...

[drdave]

[quote source="/post/17875/thread" timestamp="1453160395" author="@purdytj"]Hi all,
Before I do the side bolt addition on my coupler, perhaps I'm having the same problem as the original post. I've read through all pages of this thread... Mine looks a little bent to me. Should I call Livin' Lite and get a new 2&5/16" coupler first?

At first I thought it was an optical illusion, but I'd like to see photos by others who have the 2&5/16" coupler.

I have a 2015 28BHS and tow with a Duramax Silverado 3/4 ton. I had a weight distributing hitch for about 3 trips but removed it based on this thread, [a href="http://livinlite-owners.com/thread/149/weight-distribution-sway-tongue"]the WDH thread[/a], and the fact that I have airbags in the rear of the truck that I can adjust from the cab. We just did a trip of 240 miles without the WDH and it was no problem. The airbags worked great.


It doesn't look nearly as bad as charliem's picture in his first post, but it does look like it's starting to bend a little in this first picture.  

[charliem]

[font size="3"]I agree the coupler looks bent. Another place to look is the washers around the front bolts. As the coupler bends up the washers will also bend up ahead of the bolt head. I think I see bent washers in you pictures.

With a 3/4 ton truck you may get away without the WDH though you may still want some sway control. If I were doing it I would replace the coupler and add the side bolts.

I really like the 2-5/16 coupler and ball. You can get a 2-5/16 coupler from Don at LL, but TinkeringTechie found one that looks better and looks easier to install. The LL coupler will work, I used it, but the required drilling is tricky. TinkeringTechie used a Bulldog 2-5/16 coupler that required much less drilling.

[a href="http://livinlite-owners.com/post/13281/thread"]http://livinlite-owners.com/post/13281/thread[/a]


[a href="http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Coupler/Bulldog/BD44150WH301.html"]http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Coupler/Bulldog/BD44150WH301.html[/a]

Read his postings and consider it. The bulldog is probably more expensive than buying from LL, but it would be worth it for strength and ease of installation. If you need more detail just send a private message to Tinkeringtechie.
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[purdytj]

[quote source="/post/17883/thread" timestamp="1453169868" author="@charliem"][font size="3"]I agree the coupler looks bent. Another place to look is the washers around the front bolts. As the coupler bends up the washers will also bend up ahead of the bolt head. I think I see bent washers in you pictures.

With a 3/4 ton truck you may get away without the WDH though you may still want some sway control. If I were doing it I would replace the coupler and add the side bolts.

I really like the 2-5/16 coupler and ball. You can get a 2-5/16 coupler from Don at LL, but TinkeringTechie found one that looks better and looks easier to install. The LL coupler will work, I used it, but the required drilling is tricky. TinkeringTechie used a Bulldog 2-5/16 coupler that required much less drilling.

[a href="http://livinlite-owners.com/post/13281/thread"]http://livinlite-owners.com/post/13281/thread[/a]


[a href="http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Coupler/Bulldog/BD44150WH301.html"]http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Coupler/Bulldog/BD44150WH301.html[/a]

Read his postings and consider it. The bulldog is probably more expensive than buying from LL, but it would be worth it for strength and ease of installation. If you need more detail just send a private message to Tinkeringtechie.
[/font][/quote]
Thanks for this info. I do think that Bulldog coupler looks more stout.
Shouldn't Livin' Lite cover this under warranty? I've only had the camper since Labor Day.

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/17885/thread" timestamp="1453172291" author="@purdytj"]Thanks for this info. I do think that Bulldog coupler looks more stout.
Shouldn't Livin' Lite cover this under warranty? I've only had the camper since Labor Day.
[/quote][font size="3"]I agree they should cover it and the installation, but I don't know if they will. They MAY make the argument that you used a WDH against their recommendation. It doesn't hurt to try. In my limited contract law exposure this qualifies as a latent defect. It is known and has been well reported on this forum and directly to LL. They even put a beefier coupler and side bolts on their toy haulers. That said, sometimes it's easier to give in and fix it yourself. Better for your blood pressure and mental health. I'd love to see/hear LL's response if you push them. I think the old LL would have come through, but I don't know about Thor. They're on a different course.

Keep us in the loop, please. [/font]

[purdytj]

[quote source="/post/17886/thread" timestamp="1453173162" author="@charliem"][quote source="/post/17885/thread" timestamp="1453172291" author="@purdytj"]Thanks for this info. I do think that Bulldog coupler looks more stout.
Shouldn't Livin' Lite cover this under warranty? I've only had the camper since Labor Day.
[/quote][font size="3"]I agree they should cover it and the installation, but I don't know if they will. They MAY make the argument that you used a WDH against their recommendation. It doesn't hurt to try. In my limited contract law exposure this qualifies as a latent defect. It is know and has been well reported on this forum and directly to LL. They even put a beefier coupler and side bolts on their toy haulers. That said, sometimes it's easier to give in and fix it yourself. Better for your blood pressure and mental health. I'd love to see/hear LL's response if you push them. I think the old LL would have come through, but I don't know about Thor. They're on a different course.

Keep us in the loop, please. [/font]
[/quote]
They MAY make the argument that you used a WDH against their recommendation

I wish the dealer would have indicated as much! They probably didn't even know since [a href="http://nishnavalleycycle.com/search-results.html?make=livin%20lite"]they are a motorcycle dealership[/a] that is into a few campers on the side.

I will keep you in the loop. I do like the Bulldog's significantly stronger carrying capacity compared to the stock unit.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Just to be clear, I have never seen LL recommend NOT using WDH. They have always said they do not recommend a WDH, but I've never seen them specifically recommend NOT using it. [/font][font size="3"]There's a difference. [/font][font size="3"]One says "We don't think WDH is necessary"; the other says "We recommend you DO NOT use WDH because it may/will damage the trailer". More full time employment for lawyers. I and others have repeatedly asked for LL's official position on WDH, but none has ever been put forth.
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[peislander]

When I picked up my trailer at the factory in 2012 I had a Equal-I-Zer WDH (Model: 90-00-0400) I installed in their parking lot with Don N. (the warrantee guy) looking over my shoulder. Like Charliem notes, I was told it likely wouldn't be necessary. Don noted that in Livin'Lites early years they had seen some Quicksilver campers damaged by WD hitches. He noted that, as a consequence, the frame tubes on subsequent Quicksilvers were increased in size and when they came out with the Camplites they increased the frame tube size again. Don did not tell me not to use the WDH and I've not had any trouble with it.

One more unusual custom thing I had the factory install on my small but mighty Camplite 11FDB is a 'Quickbite' coupler. It is rated for 10,000 pounds so it is unlikely it would ever bend. (The frame would certainly bend first or my hitch break). I attach a couple pics of my coupler, taken at the factory.

[david]

That is one helluva coupler!!

My experience with LL is exactly as Charlie described. The say that you won't need a WDH, but they won't say not to use one. But off the record they say that WDHs have bent the frame in the past, but only because the owner tightened the bars down too tight. In the same breath they told me that once I try a WDH I will never give it up. This was from an ex Reese guy.

So, I remain skeptical about using a WDH on a 21' or longer LL trailer. I know others use them and other than the bent coupler, have no problems. I am a belt and suspenders kind of guy, so I would weld an aluminum angle doubler along the front frame to make $#%@ sure it won't bend.

David

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/17933/thread" timestamp="1453456598" author="@peislander"]
One more unusual custom thing I had the factory install on my small but mighty Camplite 11FDB is a 'Quickbite' coupler. It is rated for 10,000 pounds so it is unlikely it would ever bend. [font size="3"][font color="090002"]Yeah, Mon. That be a serious coupler..........for an elephant trailer........But then we are talking about the small but mighty 11.[/font]   8-)  [/font]

 I suspect mine is the only one Livin'Lite has ever installed. [font color="090002" size="3"]Roger that, good buddy, and probably never again.[/font]   :-/  

...........you align your tow vehicle with the coupler -- and the just back into it. Of course you need to vertically adjust the coupler/trailer height before backing into it. The Quickbite does not drop down onto the ball. It is very easy to use. [font size="3"]I would think the vertical alignment would be a PITA, but maybe not.
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