Fold Away Trailer Hitch...major problem averted!

[Kevin M]

I typically walk around the boat and do a cursory search/inspection for items as most of us probably do. On Sunday, after a return 200 mile trip home from the Ohio river, I was disconnecting my hitch and I noticed the front/folding part that swivels, was loose! I'm like, what the hell? Closer examination revealed the nut and bolt assembly (bottom one of two) had loosened itself up and was allowing about a 2" up/down play in the hitch. I re secured it but for those with the Shore lander trailer, check it out. Photo of the bolt assembly attached.

 

[RightStuff]

Scary...

But on the bright side with it loose you should have been able to take tighter turns with the boat...right!?

 

[Kevin M]

Lol, I wondered why it passed me a few times on the freeway!

 

[sysinu]

Oh wow, that is scary. I think I'm going to be drilling a hole and putting in a cotter pin now. (only after I visually inspect the bolt to see if that's even possible)

 

[Kevin M]

Great idea @sysinu , I will be doing the same.

 

[Gym]

Or you could use some blue Locktite. The blue is made to allow the nut/bolt to be dissembled.

 

[sysinu]

I just looked at mine (while getting blasted in the face with wind) and I have two bolts on the port side of the tongue (yours looks backwards of mine). One of my bolts goes up, the other goes down. I tried turning them, they are very snug with what looks to be spacers to allow the tongue to pivot. I will probably loktite them as @Gym mentioned, that's the best bet. I could drill and put a cotter pin in, but now looking at it, it's unlikely that both of my bolts will rattle their way free without me noticing it first.

 

[0627Devildog]

Or just get a SS Aircraft Nut. . . . . No loctite or cotter pin necessary!