SIGforum
I held an Auto KARMA and didn't even know it, until today
December 24, 2021, 10:23 AM
ensigmaticI held an Auto KARMA and didn't even know it, until today
quote:
Originally posted by 6guns:
Related, it makes me very nervous that I'm relying on a 5/8" pin to carry the load towed behind for over 1000 miles. Can anyone ease my mind?
The pin isn't carrying the load, the ball, hitch, receiver, and the hardware connecting it to the vehicle are. All the pin is doing is keeping the hitch in the receiver. The force is all sheer force and the sheering surfaces are relatively wide.
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe
"If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher December 24, 2021, 10:59 AM
BeanheadI have always locked my hitch with a master lock hitch pin. But I do see many trucks with just the pin..always wonder why they aren't stolen more. Apparently, sometimes they are.
Sucks but look on bright side. You can upgrade to a new one!
December 24, 2021, 10:00 PM
Excam_Manquote:
Originally posted by Beanhead:
Sucks but look on bright side. You can upgrade to a new one!
This one was just a little over a yr old. A Trimax fixed aluminum mount with a simple 2" ball.
Had to get a new one back then, as I needed one which would raise the ball a couple more inches.
I was able to pick up the same unit today at a nearby town. So I'm back in business, as soon as I mount the ball.
December 24, 2021, 10:39 PM
BB61quote:
Originally posted by Beanhead:
I have always locked my hitch with a master lock hitch pin. But I do see many trucks with just the pin..always wonder why they aren't stolen more. Apparently, sometimes they are.
Sucks but look on bright side. You can upgrade to a new one!
^^^^^^
I do the same for my Tacoma. Pro tip, take it off every few months and check the lock. My last one rusted and I had to cut it off with bolt cutters.
__________________________
December 25, 2021, 08:27 AM
9mmnutNever leave my hitch in.
December 25, 2021, 12:22 PM
6gunsquote:
Originally posted by ensigmatic:
quote:
Originally posted by 6guns:
Related, it makes me very nervous that I'm relying on a 5/8" pin to carry the load towed behind for over 1000 miles. Can anyone ease my mind?
The pin isn't carrying the load, the ball, hitch, receiver, and the hardware connecting it to the vehicle are. All the pin is doing is keeping the hitch in the receiver. The force is all sheer force and the sheering surfaces are relatively wide.
I understand the pin isn't "carrying" the load and also aware of the friction of the downward weight of the load in the receiver, but the pin is "towing" the weight. This still concerns me. Obviously, it works. I was going to buy a spare pin. Noticed the Reece pins made in china. No thanks, I'll find an American made one.
SIGforum: For all your needs!
Imagine our influence if every gun owner in America was an NRA member! Click the box>>>
December 25, 2021, 09:50 PM
maladatquote:
Originally posted by 6guns:
quote:
Originally posted by ensigmatic:
quote:
Originally posted by 6guns:
Related, it makes me very nervous that I'm relying on a 5/8" pin to carry the load towed behind for over 1000 miles. Can anyone ease my mind?
The pin isn't carrying the load, the ball, hitch, receiver, and the hardware connecting it to the vehicle are. All the pin is doing is keeping the hitch in the receiver. The force is all sheer force and the sheering surfaces are relatively wide.
I understand the pin isn't "carrying" the load and also aware of the friction of the downward weight of the load in the receiver, but the pin is "towing" the weight. This still concerns me. Obviously, it works. I was going to buy a spare pin. Noticed the Reece pins made in china. No thanks, I'll find an American made one.
The cross sectional area of a 5/8 pin is pi*(5/16”)^2=0.3”. There are two shear surfaces in the pin (both sides of the receiver), so the total shear area is 0.6”. The shear strength of most stainless steels is around 75,000 psi. 0.6”*75,000psi = 45,000 pounds.
To put 45,000 pounds of shear load on your hitch pin you’d have to be able to do 0-60 in under 1 second pulling a 15,000 pound trailer. That’s not an exaggeration, that’s how the math actually works out.
So basically, it’s fine.
December 25, 2021, 10:26 PM
Excam_Man^^^ cool facts!
I've always wondered about that myself.
Question, most pins are not stainless... so what about a regular ole pin?
December 26, 2021, 12:49 AM
maladatquote:
Originally posted by Excam_Man:
^^^ cool facts!
I've always wondered about that myself.
Question, most pins are not stainless... so what about a regular ole pin?
I guess I hadn’t thought about it, they are probably mostly zinc plated or galvanized or chromed mild steel, which might be 2/3 to 3/4 the shear strength I used above. Some steels are also much stronger but there wouldn’t be any reason to use them and they are more expensive so I can’t imagine them being used.
December 26, 2021, 08:01 AM
hairy2dawgquote:
Originally posted by 6guns:
quote:
Originally posted by ensigmatic:
quote:
Originally posted by 6guns:
Related, it makes me very nervous that I'm relying on a 5/8" pin to carry the load towed behind for over 1000 miles. Can anyone ease my mind?
The pin isn't carrying the load, the ball, hitch, receiver, and the hardware connecting it to the vehicle are. All the pin is doing is keeping the hitch in the receiver. The force is all sheer force and the sheering surfaces are relatively wide.
I understand the pin isn't "carrying" the load and also aware of the friction of the downward weight of the load in the receiver, but the pin is "towing" the weight. This still concerns me. Obviously, it works. I was going to buy a spare pin. Noticed the Reece pins made in china. No thanks, I'll find an American made one.
Of all of the components of a hitch system, that 5/8" pin is the very last of my concerns.
If there is a force sufficient enough to shear that pin, you've got much bigger problems you're going to have to worry about at that moment.
December 26, 2021, 08:53 AM
Leeannquote:
Originally posted by ensigmatic:
Why not just put the ball on when you need it? Problem solved.
I've never understood why people drive around with a hitch sticking out all the time.
In Maryland, it’s against the law to leave your receiver and ball in place if they’re not in use.
Sig P226 .40 S&W
Sig SP2022 9mm
RIA 1911 Gov't .45
...and more
December 26, 2021, 09:11 AM
trapper189quote:
Originally posted by maladat:
The cross sectional area of a 5/8 pin is pi*(5/16”)^2=0.3”. There are two shear surfaces in the pin (both sides of the receiver), so the total shear area is 0.6”. The shear strength of most stainless steels is around 75,000 psi. 0.6”*75,000psi = 45,000 pounds.
To put 45,000 pounds of shear load on your hitch pin you’d have to be able to do 0-60 in under 1 second pulling a 15,000 pound trailer. That’s not an exaggeration, that’s how the math actually works out.
So basically, it’s fine.
I still managed to bend my Trimax SXT5 locking hitch pin.
December 26, 2021, 09:59 AM
6gunsI appreciate the calculation, maladat. There was a time I'd have been able to do that.
SIGforum: For all your needs!
Imagine our influence if every gun owner in America was an NRA member! Click the box>>>
December 26, 2021, 10:45 AM
cparktdquote:
Originally posted by darthfuster:
I take mine off when I’m done not to prevent theft but because I whack my shin on it when I walk by. Man that hurts!
Well that is it's primary purpose after all....
Endeavor to persevere. December 26, 2021, 12:54 PM
4MUL8RI have a B&W double ball adjustable height drawbar that retails for $349. I leave that in the garage. But, I do have a cheap drawbar for truck protection, and to help me see the rear ball with the tailgate camera as I back up.
I like the idea of a Class 8 bolt as a shear pin. I'll see if I can find a smooth shank bolt with enough length to go through the 2.5 inch receiver, and then I'll double nut the threaded portion to a million pound-feet of torque to keep it secure.
-------
Trying to simplify my life...
December 26, 2021, 07:11 PM
Spiff_P239quote:
Originally posted by Flash-LB:
quote:
Originally posted by ensigmatic:
Why not just put the ball on when you need it? Problem solved.
I've never understood why people drive around with a hitch sticking out all the time.
Because if you get rear ended, it protects your car to a fairly large degree.
I got rear ended 3 times in one of my trucks and once in another and in each case the other car got towed away and I had nothing but scratches on my hitch and bumper.
I keep mine on all the time.
I haven't towed anything with my truck yet, but I'm considering getting one for this very reason.