CHECK your pivot hitch

[somebodyelse5]

The Bolt on the pivot hitch sheared, noticed it yesterday before we went out and just had to tracked a new bolt down. Its pretty scary, im not totally sure how long its been like this, just wanted to give you guys a heads up, dont over look it. Pulled about an inch off the bottom of the bolt, including the nut and washer.

its a 7" Long 5/8" diameter coarse thread grade 8 Bolt for the replacement

Here are some pictures.
This is the Pivot Hitch with the new bolt.


Old bolt vs. New bolt (notice how much is missing)


Close up of the sheared end

[rickd3508]

The old One was Stainless huh?

[Paublo]

This has been posted before with several responding with similar experiences. So I kept an eye on mine and about 6 months later had the same thing happen to me. It should be checked every time you use the trailer.

[somebodyelse5]

The old One was Stainless huh?

Looks like it, but im not totally sure. Should it be? or will I be ok with what i got? doesnt get all that wet, and im in the desert...

[LovinPowell]

It happened to me a couple of years ago. I noticed it after we put her back in the garage. I better go check it again. It happened to tall as well (If I remember correctly).

[Ewok]

How much play is supposed to be in the pivot hitch when it is locked and ready for towing? Should I be able to lift it and rock it a little? When I took my boat in for 25 hr service I noticed the wire through the tongue was a little short and was rubbing on the metal when the tongue was pivoted back and wore off some of the insulation on trailer wires, that's getting fixed too.

[R&T Babich]

Our bolt broke off, too.
The bolt was too short and had threads in the bottom hole.
The bolt should be long enough to have shank all the way through the brackets.
I got a bolt with a long enough shank and cutoff probably half the threads so they wouldn't stick out too far.

[talltigeguy]

Our bolt broke off, too.
The bolt was too short and had threads in the bottom hole.
The bolt should be long enough to have shank all the way through the brackets.
I got a bolt with a long enough shank and cutoff probably half the threads so they wouldn't stick out too far.

That makes sense to me. A longer bolt with only shank in the hole, no threads.

I had it happen to me as LP said. It just fell off in the driveway once I took it off the hitch.

[laserfish]

If it is grade 8 it cannot be stainless. Only use grade 8 bolts, and the shoulder should be long enough so that the threads start where the bolt protrudes through the tongue. I would also use a grade 8 nylock nut and flat washer to prevent it from backing off.

[Joeprunc]

Yeah I'd recommend checking those bolts too.

I lost my boat and trailer last year on the hwy doing 55-60 mph. Granted the previous owner had modified the trailer and that modification failed, I still have soil marks on my drivers seat from when the boat passed me on the right.

[Guma]

Hmmm, my 2010 trailer does not use a bolt, but rather a large diameter pin that drops in, and is secured with a pin underneath. I take this out every time I put my boat away at the storage facility and grease it about every 3rd time we go out. However my buddy has a bolt similar to the pics for his Sea Ray. Will definitely pass along to him to watch out for this.

[somebodyelse5]

Hmmm, my 2010 trailer does not use a bolt, but rather a large diameter pin that drops in, and is secured with a pin underneath. I take this out every time I put my boat away at the storage facility and grease it about every 3rd time we go out. However my buddy has a bolt similar to the pics for his Sea Ray. Will definitely pass along to him to watch out for this.

Both sides have a pin?