TV Receiver Pin-Box Disaster

[Rustic Eagle]

Talk about the "Perfect Storm"...., the story behind the following two related photos touches on one "potentially deadly" hitching mistake.





The Story: https://campaddict.com/deadly-towing...-1593380413794

Bob

[Rustic Eagle]

Long story short......, the TT emergency brake cable was attached to the same opening as the safety chains on the TV's receiver..., thus highlighting the danger of attaching the E-cable anywhere on the TV receiver hitch. The incident took place in 2013.

What was mentioned in the story was the pin box's 'departure' from the receiver was "failure of the steel".

I did some 'googling' and found that the TV is an earlier GM 1/2 ton, and on another photo (unrelated to the story) the same owner's Airstream's A-frame appeared to have a Hensley WDH attached to it.

I have some thoughts on what may have happened to the earlier GM pin box, but that would be just another speculative story

Bob

[Route 66 Traveler]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

I have some thoughts on what may have happened to the earlier GM pin box, but that would be just another speculative story Bob

But, but, but inquiring minds want to know!!!!

[curver900]

looks like he has it leveled too... I give it a perfect 10 !!! nice landing... careful the first step is a doozy....

[64osby]

That generation GM product had a "defect" that created an issue over time with the weld joints and the receivers failed. I have that hitch on my '01 Suburban. It no longer tows. When I was using it to tow I checked it constantly.

I was looking to replace the hitch, but when I found needle bearings in my oil I decided to replace my TV. It still runs after 3 more oil changes and more needle bearings being found. It also tows a 4x8 utility trailer once in a while.

One day the engine will give up and then off to the scrap yard she goes.

You can find more info on the GM forums on the hitch.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by 64osby

That generation GM product had a "defect" that created an issue over time with the weld joints and the receivers failed.....snip

X2

My prior '02' GM 2500HD OEM receiver had the pin-box welded "below" the receiver's main 'round' cross tube, and with heavy tongue weights (within OEM specs) the pin-box would flex upward with the WDH engaged....., compromising the consistency of transferred weight.

I believe in '02' the GM 2500 OEM receiver pin box had one additional gusset weldment than the '02' GM 1500 OEM receiver.

My OEM receiver started bending the center mounting surface and flexing the main round cross tube as shown in the pic:



I upgraded to a Putnam XDR Class V that utilized heavy gauge square tube construction and it preformed great for 11 years:



Now, in the case of the Airstream story add in the lateral forces that a Hensley Arrow WDH places against a compromised (suspected) receiver pin box

Bob

[norty1]

I have a friend who had his Chevy hitch break almost loose out west a few years back. I think we discussed it here and I posted some pics. It was metal failure. He replaced the hitch and had the rear attachments welded up with some additional supports.

It was almost the same disaster.