PSA: check your Reese puck adapter

[BirchyBoy]

I installed a Reese puck adapter in my Ford about a month ago and have towed maybe 250 miles total. For those that don’t have one, each corner of the adapter has a fitting that swivels and locks into the bed puck. Each of the fittings that engage the pucks have a castle nut which is held in place with a snap pin. Once engaged, the handles on each end lock together with a snap pin.

I was in the process of removing it tonight and found a dire situation. Both castle nut snap pins on one side were sitting inside the Reese frame, and the lock pins had worked there way out so the castle nut was barely threaded on. Obviously, I’m not sure when the pins became disengaged, but I’m thankful that the two others were fully engaged.

I have moved onto a PullRite which is why I removed the adapter. If I were to use it again, I’d replace the four snap pins with heavy cotter keys or a better snap pin. If you have one, check it before towing again.

[ALLOY]

Originally Posted by BirchyBoy

I installed a Reese puck adapter in my Ford about a month ago and have towed maybe 250 miles total. For those that don’t have one, each corner of the adapter has a fitting that swivels and locks into the bed puck. Each of the fittings that engage the pucks have a castle nut which is held in place with a snap pin. Once engaged, the handles on each end lock together with a snap pin.

I was in the process of removing it tonight and found a dire situation. Both castle nut snap pins on one side were sitting inside the Reese frame, and the lock pins had worked there way out so the castle nut was barely threaded on. Obviously, I’m not sure when the pins became disengaged, but I’m thankful that the two others were fully engaged.

I have moved onto a PullRite which is why I removed the adapter. If I were to use it again, I’d replace the four snap pins with heavy cotter keys or a better snap pin. If you have one, check it before towing again.

Snap rings on our have fallen individually off and I've found them lying in different places in the box.

[cantexan]

Great information, will check mine TODAY !!

[Rhagfo]

Are these “snap pins” the ones with detent balls or the spring loaded flip over rings? I would never trust one with detent balls.

The real issues is once those castle nuts are adjusted they should be locked in place
With a cotter pin!

The adapter for our 2016 Ram came with cotter pins, surprised the Ford version coming with snap pins is strange!

[BirchyBoy]

Originally Posted by Rhagfo

Are these “snap pins” the ones with detent balls or the spring loaded flip over rings? I would never trust one with detent balls.

The real issues is once those castle nuts are adjusted they should be locked in place
With a cotter pin!

The adapter for our 2016 Ram came with cotter pins, surprised the Ford version coming with snap pins is strange!

Spring flip over rings. I agree that either a cotter pin or a hitch pin should be used.