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Old 09-09-2011, 04:09 PM   #1
kcjolley
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DANGERIOUS REESE HITCH

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED @ 35MPH IN A FRONT-IN IMPACT ACCENDENT WITH REESE HITCH WAS RATED AT 20,000LB & I WAS ONLY TOWING 13,500LB. THE HITCH BROKE & THE FIFTH WHEEL ALMOST CAME THROUGH THE CAB OF TRUCK LUCKY NO ONE WAS INJURED. SMASHED UP THE BED AND GENERATOR IN TRUCK. CONTACTED REESE WHO'S RESPONSE WAS NOT WARRENTY IN CRASH - O'WELL!!!
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Old 09-09-2011, 04:36 PM   #2
CORattler
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I'm confused... did the hitch just fail or was there some kind of accident?
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Old 09-09-2011, 06:18 PM   #3
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Notice on the one side the pin is not there as the metal is bent in both directions. I do not see how this could happen if the pin and hair pin had been in place. Looks to me as if the pin on the one side fell out and allowed the hitch to brake loose on the one side causing the failure?
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Old 09-09-2011, 06:36 PM   #4
brenkco
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Wow, glad no one was injured. Looks horrific! Frightening!
Keep us posted.

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Old 09-09-2011, 06:56 PM   #5
Rondo
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What model number was this Reese hitch?
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Old 09-10-2011, 03:20 AM   #6
Slufoot733
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Was there some kind of frontal impact(collision with tow vehicle)which initiated this? Looks to me like the front end blew out due to a sharp hard impact. How else could the metal have been 'torn' like that?
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Old 09-10-2011, 03:23 AM   #7
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by jliveit

Notice on the one side the pin is not there as the metal is bent in both directions. I do not see how this could happen if the pin and hair pin had been in place. Looks to me as if the pin on the one side fell out and allowed the hitch to brake loose on the one side causing the failure?
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Old 09-10-2011, 06:20 AM   #8
Waynem
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Reinforces what others have stated and what I did when towing a 5'er. Lock the retaining pins into place with a locking system that can be purchased at just about any hitch store. Mine took padlocks. It is so unfortunate that there are people in this world that will say, "Watch this!" and then pull a pin. They don't think of the catastrophic events that can lead up to their prank until it is to late.

I'm with the others. Was this a collision accident, or did it just happen?
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Old 09-10-2011, 07:38 AM   #9
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Ditto on all the above........pin's were not in place

That leaves something else to check before pulling!


Roy
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Old 09-10-2011, 09:00 AM   #10
Gorgeguy
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I have added a brightly colored tie-lock to the "hairpin", it makes for an easy quick glance to see if anything has been tampered with.
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Old 09-10-2011, 09:08 AM   #11
CORattler
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That's a good idea!

Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Gorgeguy

I have added a brightly colored tie-lock to the "hairpin", it makes for an easy quick glance to see if anything has been tampered with.
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Old 09-10-2011, 09:25 AM   #12
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The only place I have those on the new hitch I just put on is where the hitch connects to the rails. On the fifth wheel side I put the locks on, on the cab side it was too tight so I put a wire tie on each side of the pin as tight as I could get them. Even if you cut the open end one off the other one still won't let the clip come off. Unless someone is after me specifically, I don't think they'll want to spend enough time in my bed to cut four wire ties off and the beds too wide for all but the longest of arms to be able to reach even the nearest one without getting in the bed.
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Old 09-12-2011, 04:49 AM   #13
kcjolley
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The reese hitch model is a 30033.The pin was installed but it apparently broke. I believe if this hitch had a through bolt for a pivot instead of the floating pin set up this would not have happened.Also the 3/16 plate that was ripped out is way to light.Needless to say I will never use another Reese product.
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Old 09-12-2011, 06:34 AM   #14
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Do you still have the pin that broke?
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Old 09-12-2011, 07:46 AM   #15
kcjolley
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I did not explain that we were in an accident,that Irearended astopped vehicle.I do not have the pin right now, it is in the truck at abody shop 200 miles away.I am only guessing tht it broke because that is the only way it could have gotten out of the 2 holes withot rirring the hles out. I should get the truk back next week and I will posta picture .
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Old 09-12-2011, 08:49 AM   #16
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Keith,
If you would have initially mentioned that you were involved in a rear-end collision and your hitch didn't pass the SUDDEN STOPPAGE TEST, most folks would have arrived at a different conclusion as to what happened to the hitch. Glad you are all safe and we can all take a lesson learned from it.
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Old 09-12-2011, 11:49 AM   #17
richfaa
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So the hitch failed because it was subjected to extreme stress as a result of a accident not because the hitch was defective.Reese was correct in denying warranty. So botteom line there was nothing wrong with the hitch/////
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Old 09-12-2011, 05:09 PM   #18
CORattler
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Kinda looks that way.
I'm glad that all are safe.

Quote:
quote:Originally posted by richfaa

So the hitch failed because it was subjected to extreme stress as a result of a accident not because the hitch was defective.Reese was correct in denying warranty. So botteom line there was nothing wrong with the hitch/////
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Old 09-13-2011, 04:39 AM   #19
Clyde n Deb
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Have put mine thru a lot with the Monte and my auto transport trailer for 7 years now. Just took it apart a couple of weekas ago for an inspection and lube. All is well.
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Old 09-13-2011, 01:12 PM   #20
fauch
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I've been wondering why so many people were beating on ole REESE in this thread, poor guy :~(

original post:
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED @ 35MPH IN A FRONT-IN IMPACT ACCENDENT WITH REESE HITCH WAS RATED AT 20,000LB & WAS ONLY TOWING 13,500LB. THE HITCH BROKE & THE FIFTH WHEEL ALMOST CAME THROUGH THE CAB OF TRUCK LUCKY NO ONE WAS INJURED. SMASHED UP THE BED AND GENERATOR IN TRUCK. CONTACTED REESE WHO'S RESPONSE WAS NOT WARRENTY IN CRASH - O'WELL!!!
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