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Old 10-28-2016, 01:20 PM   #1
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Frame to WDH interference

I guess I'll put this in here as it is a minor issue with the frame of my Flagstaaff 832IKBS. I made a video of it to explain it.

https://youtu.be/GalckZzw2DE

Basically, it appears as if the tongue of the trailer was welded to the frame about a half inch too far back or the frame 2x6 tubing is about 1/2" too long so at turn angles of more than about 30 degrees, the hitch casting hits the frame end.

I corrected it by removing the corners of the tubing, re-welding the ends that had been cut and plugging the holes with black silicone.
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Old 10-28-2016, 01:58 PM   #2
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Nice fix, but you likely just gave Lippert a couple of reasons to void the warranty on your frame, even though I agree the fix and installation of the hitch holder are non-structural. Any welding on the frame is supposed to be done by a Lippert-approved welder. Being a 2016, I would have taken it to the dealer under warranty.

I think you did the right thing, but Lippert may not.
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Old 10-28-2016, 02:10 PM   #3
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Not too worried about it. It will never go back for warranty work. I use it an average of every two weeks and I'm not putting into the shop for most likely months for something this easy to fix. If the frame fails somewhere within the next few years and "warranty" is denied because I tacked in a couple seams at the far non structural tip, I will enjoy that battle. 😁
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Old 10-28-2016, 02:38 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by 2Evil4U View Post
Not too worried about it. It will never go back for warranty work. I use it an average of every two weeks and I'm not putting into the shop for most likely months for something this easy to fix. If the frame fails somewhere within the next few years and "warranty" is denied because I tacked in a couple seams at the far non structural tip, I will enjoy that battle. [emoji16]


I agree with your approach.

Welding the receiver on the side would give Lippert pause too. At some point you just gotta enjoy life and quit worrying about Lippert.

If I have a frame issue, I'll probably have it fixed before I could drive to my dealer.

Love the comment about a "Lippert approved welder". Based on what I have seen, that means crappy welds...
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Old 10-29-2016, 07:54 PM   #5
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Are the spring arm bars at that angle when you're hitched up? They aren't parallel to the frame like they're supposed to be but obviously the shank is not level like it would be when it's in the truck's receiver. Tilting the hitch head up to get the bars parallel would move the head away from the coupler. Are you sure it's set up properly? Maybe your L brackets need to be lowered to get the bars parallel to the frame?
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Old 10-29-2016, 08:23 PM   #6
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It's set up the best it can be to balance the trailer. Tilting the ball down might improve the clearance slightly but I'm already beyond the recommended washers for the angle so moving the hangers down just to fix a couple degrees of non parallelism in the bars won't do anything but sag the rear of the truck. What isn't apparent in the video is how much bend the bars have in them when loaded. They are very nearly parallel to the frame

Yes, the hitch will be level in the receiver when hooked, but I've definitely been angled enough when backing or turning because of unlevel ground to cause the impingement. Not a problem any longer in any case.

I was just surprised there was any possibility to interfere in that area. I know there are lots of different hitches out there but didn't think FR would cut the clearance so close.
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Old 10-29-2016, 09:07 PM   #7
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I just noticed that your video says you have a 10K Equalizer. If that's correct the bars are likely undersized. They definitely should not be bending.

FR's website says your 832IKBS (very nice TT btw) has a tongue weight of 965# and they are notorious for advertising weights that are a lot less than real world. Have you weighed it to see what your actual tongue weight is? The bars on a 10K Equalizer are rated to 1000# and your tongue is very likely well over 1000#. I recommend you get the 1200# spring arms. This may or may not have something to do with the impinging problem. I think you may be able to just upgrade the spring arms and they will work with your current hitch head. Email Equalizer to be sure.

Also, if you're using more than 8 spacer washers you aren't setup properly. Equalizer's instructions say you need to move the L brackets. Make sure your hitch head is at the right height as well.
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Old 10-29-2016, 09:38 PM   #8
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I've actually thought about going up on the bar size as this is a nose heavy beast. May need to look more seriously at it. Thanks!
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Old 10-29-2016, 09:50 PM   #9
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I agree with your approach.

Welding the receiver on the side would give Lippert pause too. At some point you just gotta enjoy life and quit worrying about Lippert.

If I have a frame issue, I'll probably have it fixed before I could drive to my dealer.

Love the comment about a "Lippert approved welder". Based on what I have seen, that means crappy welds...
X2.....I once seen one of their ads for welders. If I remember correctly the starting pay was $12.50 an hour and no experience required. Ask them for a written copy of their warranty. Good luck.
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Old 10-30-2016, 06:07 AM   #10
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TS for sharing U R probably not the only one with this situation, It does look like your hitch has a lot of tilt to it and looks beefer than most behind the ball. Asugestion is to replace the plate at the end of the tubes as it will add strength to the end of the tubes
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Old 10-30-2016, 06:40 AM   #11
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This may be dumb suggestion.
But I just leave my ball & receiver connected to my trailer.
I lock my hitch clip on the trailer with a pad lock.

I'm wondering if I'm putting stress on my trailer by having the thing hanging there.
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Old 10-30-2016, 10:06 AM   #12
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Not a bad way to do it, but for me, as heavy as the EQ10k head is, it is remarkably awkward to hook it into the tongue without it being supported and not getting all greasy. You're certainly not over stressing anything doing that though I'd expect.
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Old 10-30-2016, 01:52 PM   #13
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I noticed that your hitch head is in the highest holes on the shank which in turn gives you the least amount of clearance.

I agree with a previous poster that the 10K hitch is probably too small for that trailer. My dry tongue weight was 820 according to my 2011 brochure and actual TW loaded up is 1050. You should really get some accurate weights. My 12K bars have a very slight bend when hitched. Barely noticeable.


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Old 10-31-2016, 12:40 PM   #14
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For what it's worth, I chatted with a tech at Equalizer this morning. There is no interchangeability between the 10k and 12k heads and spring bars.

Having looked at it yesterday it didn't look like there could be and he confirmed it.
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Old 10-31-2016, 02:55 PM   #15
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Yea, I know that. The 12K and 14K hitches use the same bars, but the 10K bars are a smaller diameter.


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Old 10-31-2016, 05:38 PM   #16
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Just did the bathroom scale/lever trick to find the tongue weight. In the neighborhood of 1150#. So my 10k is just a bit undersized. \bob ueker

Will be looking into a 14k as even the 12k will be ragged edge if I have anything of any significance in the bed.

One, hopefully final for me, example of a first timer thinking the dealer knows how to apply a WDH.
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Current vehicle list: 17 RAM 3500 4x4 Cummins Aisin 4.10, 16 Flagstaff 832IKBS, 14 RAM 1500 4x4 Hemi 3.92 Bilstein 5100's Derale oil cooler, 97 F150 4x4 5.4L 278,000 miles, 80 Firebird Esprit Aussie Burnout Car https://youtu.be/v06VjII7HmE, 78 Harley Davidson FX 79,000 miles dad bought new, 71 El Camino ZZ3 TH400 12-Bolt, 37 Ford 3 window 502 Chevy dad built
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Old 10-31-2016, 05:41 PM   #17
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I have to commend the forum. Good discussion about the hitch size and trailer weights made me get data to confirm setup. The combo will be better for the changes.
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Current vehicle list: 17 RAM 3500 4x4 Cummins Aisin 4.10, 16 Flagstaff 832IKBS, 14 RAM 1500 4x4 Hemi 3.92 Bilstein 5100's Derale oil cooler, 97 F150 4x4 5.4L 278,000 miles, 80 Firebird Esprit Aussie Burnout Car https://youtu.be/v06VjII7HmE, 78 Harley Davidson FX 79,000 miles dad bought new, 71 El Camino ZZ3 TH400 12-Bolt, 37 Ford 3 window 502 Chevy dad built
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Old 10-31-2016, 09:40 PM   #18
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Good job confirming the tongue weight and acting on what you discovered. For some reason, RV dealers rarely seem to know how to setup a WDH. I would also recommend you hit a CAT scale to check out your weights on the RAM with the TT attached. Check the total weight (the sum of both axles) vs GVWR and the individual axle weights vs their axle weight ratings. Use this website by forum member ependydad to help figure it out.
Actual Weights - Travel Trailer/Bumper Pull Weights from CAT Scales - Towing Planner
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Old 02-25-2017, 02:15 PM   #19
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I don't think there was anything wrong with your trailer, some trailers are just like that. You could use a taller ball, move the head down a hole or two on the hitch and move your trailer frame mounts down. They make special balls just for this reason.
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