OZ Hitch failure.

Diesel Power · June 21, 2014, 08:33:28 PM

http://rvsupertramp.com.au/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/viewer.aspx?portalid=0&moduleid=661&attachmentid=557

Found this on LCOOL tonight and thought I would share.
Regards
Angus.

D4D · June 21, 2014, 08:38:44 PM

Nasty

Ynot · June 21, 2014, 08:44:44 PM

Hmmm same one I have. Will keep an eye on it. This is the second one I have had with no issues so far.

I recall them being Aussie made and tested beyond the 3.5 tonne limit so I guess you can never tell.

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Woodsie · June 21, 2014, 08:50:41 PM

The fact that they now thread them before welding should make them sound

D4D · June 21, 2014, 08:53:16 PM

Quote from: Woodsie on June 21, 2014, 08:50:41 PM
The fact that they now thread them before welding should make them sound

Correct but with 'a few' failures highlighting a design flaw, you'd think they'd be compelled to run a recall...

Rusty · June 21, 2014, 08:58:18 PM

Mayby he should look at his chains also joining chains with a d shackle and than using 3 to get length for his chain is dangerous and illegal

cruza driver · June 21, 2014, 08:59:28 PM

I wonder if the wdh had any influence, if it was connected.

I know its mentioned they have had a few do this but just wondering if the load area of the coupling is transferred.

Still not a good result though.

Swogjb · June 21, 2014, 08:59:47 PM

Farrrrk that.

We have an OzHitch on our Trackabout. That is what they come standard with.

I must admit I don't go much on the hitch and find it a bit of a pain in the ass to hitch up.

Might be a good reason to get rid of it.

Mace · June 21, 2014, 09:00:44 PM

Quote from: Rusty on June 21, 2014, 08:58:18 PM
Mayby he should look at his chains also joining chains with a d shackle and than using 3 to get length for his chain is dangerous and illegal

there are 5 d shackles on that chain!!!!! WTF.

Cruiser 105Tvan · June 21, 2014, 09:48:02 PM

I'll bet none of the shackles, and only part of the chains, are up to it.

xcvator · June 21, 2014, 11:33:51 PM

Doing a "U" turn, did he jack-knife the rig so bad that the hitch gave way ?

DaveR · June 22, 2014, 05:42:22 AM

Quote from: xcvator on June 21, 2014, 11:33:51 PM
Doing a "U" turn, did he jack-knife the rig so bad that the hitch gave way ?

x 2.

Robbo · June 22, 2014, 07:02:16 AM

Quote from: xcvator on June 21, 2014, 11:33:51 PM
Doing a "U" turn, did he jack-knife the rig so bad that the hitch gave way ?

That would certainly be a logical explanation if that is what happened.

Patr80l · June 22, 2014, 07:43:19 AM

I'm no engineer, but the broken weld looks a little bit minimilistic.
The "chain" of small shackles suggests the owner of the rig isn't an engineer either. Did he fit the hitch himself? The angle of the vehicle part looks all wrong. This may have prevented proper swivelling of the hitch.

Emuone · June 22, 2014, 07:48:09 AM

Doesn't look like a whole lot of weld on the round part, the weld has not penetrated the metal by the look of it.
Does any one know how the break happened? was it towing in a straight line or had it jack-knifed or bound up reversing?
Has he had previous issues that required all the shackles? had that already stressed the coupling?
So many questions.

Cruiser 105Tvan · June 22, 2014, 09:01:35 AM

That's probably why they replaced the hitch without question.
Between the Manufacturer and the Destroyer.
They couldn't decide, one way or another, what the fault was.
Wouldn't be surprised if those Hitches aren't warranted for use with a Load sharing Hitch from now on.

Hoyks · June 22, 2014, 09:30:07 AM

Looking at the way it has sheared off, it has failed after a single event, rather than starting to crack and that crack growing over time.

I bet it went off with a bang!

dazzler · June 22, 2014, 10:51:27 AM

Quote from: D4D on June 21, 2014, 08:38:44 PM

Mercy, that looks like something crazy cat women would put together.

Something to be said for a 50mm ball and coupling.

muzza01 · June 22, 2014, 10:52:17 AM

Quote from: Cruiser 105Tvan on June 21, 2014, 09:48:02 PM
I'll bet none of the shackles, and only part of the chains, are up to it.

One of them has a bit of red colour, must be rated if its red

Ynot · June 22, 2014, 11:56:40 AM

Quote from: Cruiser 105Tvan on June 22, 2014, 09:01:35 AM
That's probably why they replaced the hitch without question.
Between the Manufacturer and the Destroyer.
They couldn't decide, one way or another, what the fault was.
Wouldn't be surprised if those Hitches aren't warranted for use with a Load sharing Hitch from now on.

The load sharing part of the coupling is probably the ozhitch version. I bought a complete hitch and load sharing base from ozhitch as they were only one of a few that had the off-road hitch combined that
is compatible with Hayman Reece bars.
They are pretty helpful there, i might give them a call and quiz them on the unit i bought before Easter. I will post the reply.

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4wd26 · June 22, 2014, 01:33:00 PM

The WDH was one of the points that had me looking in this direction for a offroad hitch

http://ozhitch.com/products-page/hitches-package-deals/special-value-pack-3-5-ton-4-bolt-galv-hayman-reese-adapter-accessories/

if anyone wants to sell I'd be interested......

WomblingFree · August 04, 2014, 01:17:12 PM

I've got one of these couplings and love it so thought I'd contact OzHitch for comment.

Well it seems OzHitch has just changed hands. The new owners are extremely helpful and commented thus "we believe the problem has occurred in the use of a weight distribution system when doing a U turn"

Fair enough, doubt the original design considered possibilities like that. Presumably the weight distribution thing has levered the fork from the end of the shaft.
Anyway, they are shipping me out a new shaft/fork so I can lose the paranoia on our next trip.

Excellent service from OzHitch. No BS and no ducking for cover or not answering emails.
I still wouldn't have anything else!

very satisfied owner.

duggie · August 04, 2014, 01:24:57 PM

Quote from: Cruiser 105Tvan on June 21, 2014, 09:48:02 PM
I'll bet none of the shackles, and only part of the chains, are up to it.

The chains and the d-shackles must have 'been up to it'

, cause they did not fail and they kept the trailer attached to the tow vehicle.

DaveR · August 04, 2014, 02:14:34 PM

Quote from: WomblingFree on August 04, 2014, 01:17:12 PM
I've got one of these couplings and love it so thought I'd contact OzHitch for comment.

Well it seems OzHitch has just changed hands. The new owners are extremely helpful and commented thus "we believe the problem has occurred in the use of a weight distribution system when doing a U turn"

Fair enough, doubt the original design considered possibilities like that. Presumably the weight distribution thing has levered the fork from the end of the shaft.
Anyway, they are shipping me out a new shaft/fork so I can lose the paranoia on our next trip.

Excellent service from OzHitch. No BS and no ducking for cover or not answering emails.
I still wouldn't have anything else!

very satisfied owner.

Gotta be happy about that kind of service

Barry G · August 04, 2014, 02:18:42 PM

I love my retro-fit of the OzHitch to a Treg over-ride brake mount.
Pleased to hear of the prompt positive response by OzHitch.
That is what we all need in the event that we strile problems.
No need for the over-ride with my camper, but nice to know the option is available if I ever go to the ddddark side!

News:

OZ Hitch failure.