[A/S] Re: Popping Rivets?

["Andrew Rogozinski" <andyrogozinski@xxxxxxxxx>]

Jim.

The rating in pounds of the hitch bars, is very important.

In your case, if there are "no" overload springs on your truck, your 
bars should be 750 pounds.

If your truck has overload springs, then the bars should be 550 to 
600 pounds.

The front plate is hidden behind the sheetmetal underneath the front 
window. It's a steel plate that is welded between the two sections of 
the A-frame. You will see a couple of horizontal rows of rivets, 
through the sheetmetal, and behind the LPG bottles, that are about 3 
inches apart. That plate holds the front of the shell to the frame.

Shearing of rivets is caused by vibration, and/or severe shocks from 
the road. Severe shocks are caused by having a tow vehicle that is 
super rugged along with overload springs. 4 wheel drive units are 
always a rivet shearing problem. Having hitch bars far too heavy for 
the job, adds to the shock from the road.

A good trailer, tow vehicle and hitch matchup is easy to do. When the 
installation is complete, and the trailer is hooked up to the tow 
vehicle using the hitch bars, you should be able to stand on the 
coupler, jump up and down, and make the coupler move vertically a 
couple of inches.

The less it moves, the more rigid the setup, the more you will shear 
rivets.

Also, complete running gear balance, is an absolute must.

A soft ride for the trailer assures an absolute minimum of problems.
A harsh ride, guarantees problems and trouble.

Andy
Inland RV Center, Inc.