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07-06-2017, 07:49 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Dayton, OH
Posts: 1,136
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Storm Hitch Bolts
Has anyone else had an issue with the hitch attachment bolts coming loose? I was hooking the toad up to the MH this week and when I eased back to engage one of the arms I noticed the bumper rotate down. I knew that wasn't right so I investigated. In this installation the bumper is bolted to the hitch and the hitch is bolted to the frame. There are 8 total bolts holding the hitch to the frame.
When I checked the bolts I was shocked that 7 of the 8 were loose and at least two were loose enough that I could turn the nut with my fingers.
Fortunately I had a couple 3/4" wrenches and was able to tighten them. Was surprised that they were not lock nuts , nor did they have lock washers on them. I plan to add lock-tite and torque them down properly.
__________________
2007 Winnebago Journey 36SG and 13 Honda CRV Toad,
e-Trailer XHD Towbar (Demco), Blue Ox baseplate, SMI Stay N Play brakes
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07-07-2017, 05:32 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Yuma, AZ
Posts: 111
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Thanks Tim, I have the same year Storm so I'll be checking mine as well today. I'll report back if I find the same issue.
__________________
Clay & Marcy
2004 Winnebago Adv. G35U, 1995 Tracker Toad, RVI3, eeZRV, Garmin RV 770 LMT-S, Viair
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07-07-2017, 07:03 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 55
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I have a2015 Terra Se and after reading your post I went and checked my hitch bolts. They all were loose enough to turn with a wrench. The nuts on mine are nylock fasteners. I bet the nuts were never tightened down from the time the coach was built.
Thanks for the post.
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2015 Terra 31C
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07-07-2017, 07:10 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Northridge, CA
Posts: 1,218
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2015terra
I have a2015 Terra Se and after reading your post I went and checked my hitch bolts. They all were loose enough to turn with a wrench. The nuts on mine are nylock fasteners. I bet the nuts were never tightened down from the time the coach was built.
Thanks for the post.
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Same year and model.
Mine were all tight.
When I sent in for initial chassis service at Rush Truck Center I had them go over all chassis bolts.
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Harry Grace
KM6ZRG
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07-08-2017, 07:28 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Dayton, OH
Posts: 1,136
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I have an e-mail into my FW rep regarding lockwashers and the proper torque. I think he was off the week of the 4th
__________________
2007 Winnebago Journey 36SG and 13 Honda CRV Toad,
e-Trailer XHD Towbar (Demco), Blue Ox baseplate, SMI Stay N Play brakes
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07-08-2017, 07:59 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Southern Ohio
Posts: 793
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Split lockwashers were proven to be ineffective or even detrimental way back in the 60's. You won't see them anywhere on cars, trucks or airplanes today.
Don't believe me? Read this article http://www.boltscience.com/pages/vibloose.htm or Google "split lockwashers"
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John McKinley
2007 Damon 3060-Ford 16k, Ford C-Max Toad, Ford Ranger Toad, Kawasaki VX300 Versys Motorcycle
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07-08-2017, 08:20 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Dayton, OH
Posts: 1,136
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Interesting video, thanks for passing it along.
__________________
2007 Winnebago Journey 36SG and 13 Honda CRV Toad,
e-Trailer XHD Towbar (Demco), Blue Ox baseplate, SMI Stay N Play brakes
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07-08-2017, 11:30 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: May 2013
Location: CT
Posts: 664
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Tim,
when I removed my hitch, lowered it to below the frame rails, I reinstalled it using grade 8 bolts,1/2" with elastic stop nuts, torqued to 90 ft lbs. I also used ALL of the mounting holes in the hitch, unlike fleetwoods install,in which they left the hitch hanging out of the rear of the frame rails and not using 4 bolt holes. I have checked the bolts since,stayed tight.
__________________
Rapid Rick
2013 Fleetwood Terra 35K 
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07-08-2017, 03:51 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Dayton, OH
Posts: 1,136
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If you could, Rick, send a picture. I have not seen the additional bolt holes
__________________
2007 Winnebago Journey 36SG and 13 Honda CRV Toad,
e-Trailer XHD Towbar (Demco), Blue Ox baseplate, SMI Stay N Play brakes
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07-09-2017, 03:08 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Yuma, AZ
Posts: 111
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I had 1 of the 8 bolts connected to the chassis rails that I was able to tighten very slightly. I feel better now that I checked them so thanks Tim for the post.
__________________
Clay & Marcy
2004 Winnebago Adv. G35U, 1995 Tracker Toad, RVI3, eeZRV, Garmin RV 770 LMT-S, Viair
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07-09-2017, 03:12 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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In 2004 I took my 2002 DSDP to Spartan, they found hitch bolts loose and one gone. I had towed some 2100 miles with them to get there and many more before that. They torqued them correctly and I never had any problems after that.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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07-09-2017, 08:23 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Dayton, OH
Posts: 1,136
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That is very reassuring Mr D. I haven't torqued them yet but will before the next tow.
__________________
2007 Winnebago Journey 36SG and 13 Honda CRV Toad,
e-Trailer XHD Towbar (Demco), Blue Ox baseplate, SMI Stay N Play brakes
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07-10-2017, 08:11 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: May 2013
Location: CT
Posts: 664
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Tim,
Here is the pics you asked for, I am pointing to the bolts that were not used by fleetwood, a total of 4 because the back end of the hitch was hanging out of the frame rails. I used 1/2" plate to drop my hitch, and incorporated the rear bolts into the new install. 
__________________
Rapid Rick
2013 Fleetwood Terra 35K
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07-12-2017, 03:10 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Oceanside, CA
Posts: 26
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I had to make back up plates and weld to the frame to get the holes correct size. "install Pro" and his hot wrench made a mess of things at the factory. Put in new G-8 bolts and long nyloc nuts, no more problem. Have a jpg pic, but can't figure out how to include.
__________________
2013 Storm 28'
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