Re: [A/S] Hitch receiver Failures

["Richard P. Kenan" <as5368@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Harvey:

         At the 2000 Sarasota (Florida State) rally, the DOT conducted an 
inspection of all trailer hitch platforms, and found a lot (I forget the 
actual numbers) of incipient failures and some downright dangerous 
ones.  Since then, I've heard Doug Showker's (Reese) safety seminars 
several times; he shows examples of what to look for.  It takes a bright 
light to inspect a hitch properly.
         About welding platforms to tow vehicles:  I thought is was illegal 
to do that, that there was some regulation that required bolts.  Maybe what 
I heard was a state, rather than a national (federal) regulation.
         Bottom line for me, following the 2000 rally, was never to tow 
without inspecting the platform first, and to re-torque the bolts, too (I 
found loose bolts on my previous (1984) Burb).  Top O'Georgia now offers a 
comprehensive trailer inspection at its rallies, which includes a visual 
inspection of the platform.

- Dick
(5368)