Base plate pins to towbar wear

[Psneeld]

OK guys...some of you seem to keep missing the part where there is obvious wear and polishing inside of the lynch pin hole the exact diameter of the lynch pin and where the elongation of the main hole is.

It might be true that the holes were that out of round from the factory, but I just wanted to make sure by asking. If someone posted right back that they had similar wear and it turned out to be a defect in the tow bar, bad handling of the toad, etc.... then I would have something to investigate.

The toad towed like a champ with no unusual vibrations but occasionally did seem to pull toward the low spot on the right side of the road where the road is usually starting to break up from traffic wear. Thought this was normal as I didn't always notice it but will keep an eye on it in the future. Regular driving the truck handles fine.

As to not worrying about it.....sorry but my background has taught me not to ignore the "not understood" with mechanical things and this wear seemed so unlikely I had to question it and so far just the bare minimum of answers are things I had not thought of and like I said...if yours hasn't worn...that is of no help. If you have a background that may describe the wear or actually know why a tow setup would wear the pins like that.....that is what I am looking for.

[Psneeld]

Originally Posted by luvlabs

The pin was drilled and then deburred (that's the chamfering around the hole) - then it was heat treated. Since there wasn't a before and after picture, there is little evidence to say that the pin wore at all. Any wear on the pin would not be at the hole where the keeper pin is inserted.

I too think the product is very well set up to see little wear as the lynch pin goes through 2 holes in the base plate to align it with the hole in the base plate pin. The wear (if it truly is) is amazing as the only motion that is apparent is the 1/4 inch of the main pin being able to work back and forth, not up and down so the lynch pin could wear the main pin.

[Granite17]

Originally Posted by Psneeld

New setup, test drove around 100 miles o pretty flat, straight country roads. Some stop and go, road in medium shape.

When unhooking, I noticed some elongation of the holes where the retaining lynch pins go through the 3/4 inch base plate pins. Also some unusual wear at the top of the holes.

Anyone ever see this kind of wear before?

I have contacted the manufacturer and a new set of pins are on the way, will do before and after pics for them and I will check for wear at the end of every day.

I have had two sets of pins in the past 4 years and all looked as yours does in the picture.

[ROUGHRIDER3]

Just off center of the hole chamfering, still 100% useable. Probably done by hand holding and not centered in a maching fixture. Also the pin is probably not heat treated as it probably is not necessary as it is sized for the shear force on the pin withoput heat treatment.

[Psneeld]

Originally Posted by Granite17

I have had two sets of pins in the past 4 years and all looked as yours does in the picture.

Thank you! If you don't mind a few questions....

Did they look like that brand new?

If not then......

Was the second set because the wear noticed on the first?

Was the second set more "perfect" than what the first had become?

How many miles till you went with a second set? Is the second set close to needing a third?

Did the towbar manufacturer get involved? And was anything said about the entire tow set up or toad not behaving?

Again, thanks.

[Psneeld]

Originally Posted by ROUGHRIDER3

Just off center of the hole chamfering, still 100% useable. Probably done by hand holding and not centered in a maching fixture. Also the pin is probably not heat treated as it probably is not necessary as it is sized for the shear force on the pin withoput heat treatment.

Sure it's usable......

BUT.....if it wore that much in 100 miles, what will it look like in the 4500 mile upcoming trip?

Especially now that it is far more loose an now can work more in a funny angle?

I get it not being heat treated, but if the alloy is as soft as the wear would suggest, sounds like the specs for the pin might need some attention.

[TandW]

Suggest you go to your local RV supply store or better yet a Tractor Supply and spend some time looking at the finish of common hardware items, including hitch and trailer parts and tractor three point hitch items. The mechanics among us all know very well that your ovaled hole was not produced by you.

[2cyber71]

I have my original pins I bought in 2004 when I pulled my Liberty.
It was a Blueox Baseplate and Alladin tow bar
I pulled it over 110,000 miles from 2004-2022.
The pins are in perfect condition.
There is something wrong with your pins or there is something wrong with baseplate causing pressure on the pins.

[Kid Gloves]

Originally Posted by Psneeld

Sure it's usable......

BUT.....if it wore that much in 100 miles, what will it look like in the 4500 mile upcoming trip?

Especially now that it is far more loose an now can work more in a funny angle?

I get it not being heat treated, but if the alloy is as soft as the wear would suggest, sounds like the specs for the pin might need some attention.

The hole would have to wear to the point that it would no longer hold a retainer pin/clip. What sort of retainer pin are you using? Would you provide a photo of your base plate/tow bar connection as you normally set it up for towing? What brand product are you using?

What would happen on a 4500 mile trip? Take a hacksaw to that pin and cut from one side until you get through to the hole. Then ask yourself if a retainer clip could accomplish the same task in 4500 miles or 450,000 miles.

[Psneeld]

Originally Posted by TandW

Suggest you go to your local RV supply store or better yet a Tractor Supply and spend some time looking at the finish of common hardware items, including hitch and trailer parts and tractor three point hitch items. The mechanics among us all know very well that your ovaled hole was not produced by you.

One more time and I will try and make it more clear.

The lynch pin hole. It is elongated slightly off axis of the centerline of the pin.

There are 2 areas inside that elongated hole that are obviously "polished" in a different way than the rest of the pin hole. The 2 "polished" areas are the exact radius of the lynch pin hole.

One of these "polished" areas is in the same area and the direction of hole elongation.

Looking at photos on the net of similar pins for sale, I do see the uneven but consistent chamfering also evident on my pin. The BIG difference is, in all the pictures the chamfering is consistent and on both sides of the lynch pin hole. On my pins, the chamfering is mainly to one side and almost gone on the side of the direction of hole elongation.

Today I am visiting a hardware store and I will check misc. hardware for the "imperfections" you discuss.

My background is not that of a mechanic, but 2 careers needed me to repair or inspect machinery whether helos or boats. Both have many components that are subjected to similar types of possible wear. I am no alarmist, in fact usually it is me saying that it's OK, good to go. But I am taking my own advice and risking my own butt....well and the brave crews that went with me....

I am just trying to confirm that my pins are a temporary issue (new one will fix) or that there might be a problem with my setup that I should correct before starting off on a 4500 mile trip.

Once again...if I see oblong holes in shelf hardware, but they don't have the same telltale marks inside as mine do...then what"

The 2 biggest mistakes any one on taking random advice is "it's never happened to me" and "oh I have seen that before, you should be alright".... unless you are getting it from someone who is a known expert to you and they have personally eyeballed your setup.

[Psneeld]

Originally Posted by Kid Gloves

The hole would have to wear to the point that it would no longer hold a retainer pin/clip. What sort of retainer pin are you using? Would you provide a photo of your base plate/tow bar connection as you normally set it up for towing? What brand product are you using?

What would happen on a 4500 mile trip? Take a hacksaw to that pin and cut from one side until you get through to the hole. Then ask yourself if a retainer clip could accomplish the same task in 4500 miles or 450,000 miles.

I will not say what brand I am using till the issue is resolved...not fair to them if it is my fault.

I sent a full array of photos to the manufacturer's tech people who have no clue so far and are just sending me new pins which I will monitor with before and after photos, keep them appraised and will send the original pins back if the second set starts to wear the same.

I get that it will take awhile to wear through and drop a pin. Then if it does...bad things can happen.

Based on the rate of wear so far at 100 miles, wear through probably wear through during the trip.

But that's only part of the problem....what IS causing the wear" Is it something that could be causing damage to other parts of the tow system or is it something with the toad?

I am not just trying to get a few miles home.... this is the START of my towing with this rig. Inquiring minds want to know.

[luvlabs]

Please end the ongoing speculation and hypothesizing and get some proof. Please go buy two new pins, photograph them, and use them. When you are done towing, remove the pins and retake the photos. I understand that your background makes you highly suspect of worn or potentially worn parts, but you need to prove to yourself what you think is occurring is actually occurring.

[Granite17]

Originally Posted by Psneeld

Thank you! If you don't mind a few questions....

Did they look like that brand new?

If not then......

Was the second set because the wear noticed on the first?

Was the second set more "perfect" than what the first had become?

How many miles till you went with a second set? Is the second set close to needing a third?

Did the towbar manufacturer get involved? And was anything said about the entire tow set up or toad not behaving?

Again, thanks.

Take a deep breath, this is not a life and death calamity here. I ordered another set because I carry a set of spare’s . Both sets look like yours.
It’s just the way they are made. Attached photo show’s one brand new, never used and a pin used towing 40,000 miles.

[Kid Gloves]

Originally Posted by Psneeld

The 2 biggest mistakes any one on taking random advice is "it's never happened to me" and "oh I have seen that before, you should be alright".... unless you are getting it from someone who is a known expert to you and they have personally eyeballed your setup.

Everyone here is a known expert, known to themselves that is, but we haven’t even seen a photo of the retainer clip that is wearing through the pin which you’ve determined will cause catastrophic failure within 4500 miles.

You’re going to examine the equipment every time you connect and disconnect, aren’t you? It seems as though you’d be likely to look at it every time you stop for fuel, to switch drivers, etc.

In all probability, an answer or explanation that is acceptable to you, can only be provided by the manufacturer of your equipment. Why did you even ask?