WDH L-brackets 'walking' on frame

[NJKris]

You guys know your hardware!

[cboss]

Originally Posted by NJKris

That makes me feel a little better cboss! I'm hoping all the suggestions above will correct this, but if not, then....How's your bracket and bar wearing at an angle?

Kris, I have no wear on the brackets or the bars, but I use the "pads" on the L-brackets.
I'll send you a few pics in the morning, it's dark out now and I'm scared...LOL

[NJKris]

Yeah, wait. Don't let the coyotes get ya!

[cboss]

Originally Posted by NJKris

Yeah, wait. Don't let the coyotes get ya!

No coyotes here just Coy Dogs.

[NJKris]

We get everything in NJ. Coyotes, bears...no lions yet. My yard is like freaking Wild Kingdom.

[Roberte52]

Originally Posted by lesptr

I have had a fifth wheel for about four years, but when I had to that set up, I do not remember the frame being drilled for the bolts to pass through. It seems that the bolts were above and below the frame, which allowed adjusting the L brackets forward or aft as needed.
I am basing that on an old memory though.

The support brackets on my WDH are not secured via bolts through the trailer frame. The bolts are on top of and below the trailer frame. Seems to me that drilling through the trailer frame like yours might weaken the frame.

[Villagerjjm]

Grade 10 is what I would use. Get the all metal locknuts…. Not the ones with nylon thread lock…. I buy mine at ACE Hardware… not Lowe’s (and I worked at Lowe’s). I just think the ones at ACE were a better quality… the associate at ACE should be able to give you the maximum torque specifications on the hardware you choose.

[Freetyme]

Mine would do that, more so one side over the other. Made me question the setup. No problems with the previous 2109s. Had the dealer transfer the L brackets to the then new 2511s. That's when the L's started shifting. I determined the brackets were placed too far forward, not sure if there were any measurements made, just a swap. Might want to review the L placement, both vertical and distance from the ball. Worked in my case, also tuned better than the dealer had.

[Ron49]

Originally Posted by NJKris

Thanks Ron. I am using 800lb bars. If you can, post a pic of your current brackets please.

Kris - will send some pics later - my first attempt at sending pics failed. The inside bracket[s] that were bent, I just reversed them and after tightening it was fine.

Ron/Users/ronaldrcampbell/Pictures/Photos Library.photoslibrary/originals/A/A7F10367-B2A5-434F-8786-E7B486CE9591.jpeg

/Users/ronaldrcampbell/Pictures/Photos Library.photoslibrary/resources/renders/D/D378BABE-766F-446A-A7E9-4FEA6DE8553B_1_201_a.jpeg

[NJKris]

I have them precisely positioned measured from the ball receiver, just like the manual calls for. I even moved my break-away switch to accommodate the brackets.

[RedRoverComeOver]

Mine are slightly forward and about the same since getting it. Dealer installed and did have to tighten the other side some after returning with it. Check fittings between trips and tighten as necessary.

Mine is the Round Bar 94-00-1061 that had the ball and 1K lb. bars. That's all they had and should be fine on Class IV hitch with 7.2K/720 lb. vehicle rating and camper under 4K lb. Asked about switching bars to 800 lb. but the weight was about 4 lb. difference.

And my distance is within the manual specification so didn't bother unless I noticed an issue.

[Semperfi24]

When we had a similar set up with our mini lite, we had a similar problem. Occasionally they would begin the migration, lol. We found it was worse on one side. Because we kept our unit at a storage yard, and that lot required us to do a very tight turn, tighter than we would turn under "normal circumstances". So that made the bracket on that side move more than the other. We just thought it was how they behaved. Maybe 2 times a year I would make an adjustment back to the "starting point".

I second what cboss mentioned. The pads he mentioned, "bracket jacket" (that is what the ones we bought we called) are awesome. Takes away a lot of the sound of the hitch.

We found that there were wires for the hitch (I assume the power), as well as the breakaway cable and its associated power cable, as well as the mounted location to deal with. Always seemed to be in the spot we needed for the hitch brackets.

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by Ron49

2nd try at Photos

I don't muck around trying to do stuff from a phone, I need a keyboard and big screen. From computer, use the 'go advanced', then scroll down to 'Attach Files' and click on Manage Attachments. From there you can upload pics from your computer.

[Villagerjjm]

After you select the photos and the file names show in the attachment section, the photos still have to load, and that may take some time as they have to go through compression before they are the correct size for transmission. I usually get a message when it is all ready to send…. Or a message if the file is still too big and I have to remove a photo or two. It is harder with a phone….

[Ron49]

3rd try

[Ron49]

Another Pic - from underneath showing a slight curvature, but nothing like it was with the bolt going thru the bottom hole!!

[NJKris]

3rd is the charm! Looks like you have some space between bottom bolt and frame that can be shimmed too if you continue to have movement.

[cherokeebill]

I have followed this thread with interest. I too have a E-pro 19fd. We have a fastway hitch with the 600 pound bars. My dealer set it up for us. We have towed over 30,000 kms with it and noticed this spring that my right side (passenger side) L bracket was loose. I did as others have done and took it apart and tightened it again. After tightening I noticed that the bracket was slightly bent. However to date and after towing another 1,000 kms it has not worked loose. Interesting to note though that I did not notice any difference in the way the trailer towed. No sway and the weight distribution seemed to be the same. Perhaps it is indeed not critical to have it absolutely tight. Also, I have not seen any appreciable wear on the bars or the brackets.

[gw1800]

I put the Equalizer Bracket Jackets on mine. Quiets down the bar scraping noise and makes the bar glide over the L bracket. Sway control is not affected. No more metal on metal. The friction from the bar on the L brackets may be just enough to move them.

[rsdata]

Another viable alternative if holes are big enough. Will bring a plate and bolt with me to Lowes next time I'm out. Question, what type of bolts do they sell that DON'T rust? The hardware I got with the hitch refuses to rust.
Grade 8 Zinc Dichromate. (Yellowish/gold color)

My Tractor Supply has an excellent assortment of nuts and bolts of all grades AND TYPES and are sold by the pound mix/match