Check your balls......

[BIGSTARCRAFT]

For some odd reason, I went out last night and was checking the back of my truck. I just happened to notice the nut on my trailer ball looked weird. Sure enough it was loose! About 2 threads from coming off! I have no idea how this could happen..I know it was tightened... I removed it, cleaned the threads and applied Lock-tite. Tight as can be now... I don't even want to think about what could have been... So please, Check your balls...

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: Check your balls......

What did you use to tighten it with? I use a 3/4 inch drive breaker bar 3 feet long and crank it on hard I had to cut the last one off we could not unloosen it.

 

[Thad]

Re: Check your balls......

It is a little on the pricey side, but I have different bars for my three size balls and a fourth for a trailer that doesn't like to be at the same height as the others. I put the balls on and then tack welded the nut to the shaft. Them bad boys had better never come off.

But, to your post, they do come loose for no apparent reason. I have had it happen, that is why I went overboard on them now.

 

[BIGSTARCRAFT]

Re: Check your balls......

Used a breaker bar as well this time... But I will check now each time I couple the boat...

 

[180shabah]

Re: Check your balls......

But I will check now each time I couple the boat...

that's the ticket - if we could just get everybody to pay attention to the little things.....

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Check your balls......

I had that happen once a long time ago. I only use one ball per drawbar and after torquing it down I take a center punch and put it where the nut meets the thread on the shank of the ball and give it a good strike with a hammer.
I do this in three places around the nut. I haven't had one come loose since I started doing it.

 

[ScottinAZ]

Re: Check your balls......

the nut that holds my balls in place is pinned and then tack welded over. By the time I wear out my balls, its time for a new reciever anyways in my book

 

[PGFISHER]

Re: Check your balls......

Drill a small hole through the shank below the nut and isert a cotter pin, then if all these other ideas sstill dont help; at least you won't lose the trailer.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Check your balls......

I have never known one to back off as long as the lock washer is in place and it is tightened correctly to begin with.
I will be checking more closely from here on though.
Thanks for the warning.

 

[MRS]

Re: Check your balls......

By the time I wear out my balls, its time for a new reciever anyways in my book

I hate when that happens....

 

[scipper77]

Re: Check your balls......

Just a word of caution to the breaker bar guys. Over tightening any fastener will reduce it's strength. Grossly over tightening could create a dangerous situation.