Receiver pin was missing when I got home - only the clamp held the ball mount

[wwillson]

Were you running safety chains from the hitch to the trailer?

Absolutely!

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Obviously you drive too slow. Which in this case is a good thing.

This is probably the sticker on your Mustang, isn’t it?

 

[RhondaHonda]

Yikes! Glad nothing bad happened!

 

[billt460]

My guess is someone removed it. This makes me want to pull the lock off my locking pin, and give it a good kerosene wash and relube it. It's been dangling back there for years. I always leave my ball in the receiver. If someone rear ends me, the ball gets there first.

 

[OX1]

I always use a locking pin, for theft deterrence and never liked pins that only use some kind of clip to keep them in. I've never been able to get a pin out with a trailer on, always "some" force on the pin.

 

[wwillson]

Is the pin grade 8 or stronger?

I would guess it's not grade 8.

Wouldn't a grade 8 bolt with long shank tightened with nylon locking nut be the 100% fix?

If the failure mode was breakage, then yes. However, I don't believe the pin broke. If the failure mode was theft, then no a bolt with a locking nut wouldn't stop theft.

 

[4WD]

I would guess it's not grade 8.


If the failure mode was breakage, then yes. However, I don't believe the pin broke. If the failure mode was theft, then no a bolt with a locking nut wouldn't stop theft.

I leave them on and have used the Masterlock keepers for decades - no issues …

 

[CanAmAndMore]

I prefer a bolt, and double nut it.

 

[Dave Hess]

Luckily nothing bad happened, good to do pre / post trip inspection (at fuel stops) on very long trips similar to long haul truckers.

 

[PimTac]

The Guardian Angel of Towing was watching over you.

 

[wwillson]

Luckily nothing bad happened, good to do pre / post trip inspection (at fuel stops) on very long trips similar to long haul truckers.

In the future, I will always look at the pin as well as the tires, bearings, chains, etc.

 

[GON]

In the future, I will always look at the pin as well as the tires, bearings, chains, etc.

Do you carry a temperature gun to check the wheel bearings when stopping for fuel?

 

[wwillson]

Do you carry a temperature gun to check the wheel bearings when stopping for fuel?

Yes, a small one I bought at Radio Shack about 25 years ago. It still works like a champ.

 

[SaberOne]

This is what I use...

https://a.co/d/b8kKGtw

 

[GON]

This is what I use...

https://a.co/d/b8kKGtw

That looks great....... but price is not for the feint of heart.