szewczyk_john
Well-known member
After returning from last weeks race, we went to the storage area to unhook the trailer. I noticed one of the two shock absorbers laying on the bed of the truck. The mounting pin of the upper head had broken free. I called hensley and they stated that the piece just needed to be welded back in place. It was also stated that from time to time these pins are merely tacked into place and some have left the facility without being fully welded into place. This pin does not get excessive forces applied to it but there were no welds around these pin to the upper head frame. I wire brushed the frame to bare metal and re-welded the pin in place by laying a good weld all around the pin were it meets the face of the upper head. There were signs of small tack welds from the backside of the pin. I decided that the pin fit back into the face far enough that just the face welding would be strong enough. I then welded the second pin in a similar fashion. Finished it up with a coat of black spray paint. Sorry I did not take in pictures as I was in a friend's shop using his welder and other tools.
I bought this hitch used from an older gentleman that had to get out of RVing due to health issues. He told me it was 1.5 years old and I have had it for 4 seasons. We have enjoyed the benefits of a good quality hitch, but I was just surprised by this failure. That being said, I did not notice any difference in the towing while it was broken and in fact, i can not even say when it broke. I do not remember any big bumps along the way. I would advise any owners to take a look at the upper pins and if you do not see a weld around were the pins enter the face of the upper head, lay a weld bead right at that point around the pin. Mine made it through 5 plus seasons before failing so maybe yours will never need fixed.
I bought this hitch used from an older gentleman that had to get out of RVing due to health issues. He told me it was 1.5 years old and I have had it for 4 seasons. We have enjoyed the benefits of a good quality hitch, but I was just surprised by this failure. That being said, I did not notice any difference in the towing while it was broken and in fact, i can not even say when it broke. I do not remember any big bumps along the way. I would advise any owners to take a look at the upper pins and if you do not see a weld around were the pins enter the face of the upper head, lay a weld bead right at that point around the pin. Mine made it through 5 plus seasons before failing so maybe yours will never need fixed.
