Quote from: jhobbs on December 30, 2020, 04:19:11 pmHaving spent over 12 1/2 years as an accident reconstruction "expert" as part of my job as a police officer, including several specialized courses in vehicle and accident dynamics... (all of which is over 30 years ago)... take this for what it is worth... Volkemon, if I understand correctly, you are using a 3 1/2" drop hitch, and are looking protect the hitch when dragging? Specifically the threaded shank of the ball? If not, what are you trying to protect? Wheels on the hitch frame protect the underside of the RV from dragging. I'm guessing your hitch is the lowest point and the underside of the RV is safe. I have used drop hitches in the past that have drug. I had a 6" drop hitch on a previous class A RV. I just let it drag and it held up fine. what about adding another nut to the shank so it would drag? Or add some washers to lower the nut. do you weld, or know someone who welds? You could weld a bracket and a roller on the bottom in front of the shank and nut.JeffWith the clearances I have, I feel a skid plate welded to the underside of the ball will be the best bet. A roller would be hitting a lot. Not so much to 'protect' the ball stud, but to make for a smoother slide over whatever I am bottoming out on. Avoid damaging things. I feel that the wheels mounted on the cross bar would be of little value in my setup, as the ball stud would be inches into the pavement before the wheels ever touch down. With so many years of experience here on the forum, I thought someone had seen a solution.
Having spent over 12 1/2 years as an accident reconstruction "expert" as part of my job as a police officer, including several specialized courses in vehicle and accident dynamics... (all of which is over 30 years ago)... take this for what it is worth... Volkemon, if I understand correctly, you are using a 3 1/2" drop hitch, and are looking protect the hitch when dragging? Specifically the threaded shank of the ball? If not, what are you trying to protect? Wheels on the hitch frame protect the underside of the RV from dragging. I'm guessing your hitch is the lowest point and the underside of the RV is safe. I have used drop hitches in the past that have drug. I had a 6" drop hitch on a previous class A RV. I just let it drag and it held up fine. what about adding another nut to the shank so it would drag? Or add some washers to lower the nut. do you weld, or know someone who welds? You could weld a bracket and a roller on the bottom in front of the shank and nut.Jeff
Sorry for the photoshopped image, but this is my idea of a solution. Weld a bracket and roller in front of the hitch. You could probably find a roller that doesn't drop down much lower than the ball nut. Amazon has several weld on rollers.
And, if possible the the trailer ball not screwed to the tongue but welded both top and bottom. Or, as an alternative, higher tow arms (and ball socket) on whatever you are towing. Just my opinion.
Quote from: donc13 on January 04, 2021, 05:16:51 pmI have some 2000# casters with really strong wheels. I could weld brackets to the 2" tube and position them like they are mocked up here... More design time needed. Roller bearings in the middle, then the brass outer bushings take the load when it gets really heavy. I have four total, so a couple spares should I really chew one up. Then again, if they dont work I can slide the tube out of the receiver and re-design. MORE DESIGN TIME! If Don Garlits is still in Tampa you should go look him up. BTW, Camping World is now the official sponsor of NHRA drag racing
I have some 2000# casters with really strong wheels. I could weld brackets to the 2" tube and position them like they are mocked up here... More design time needed. Roller bearings in the middle, then the brass outer bushings take the load when it gets really heavy. I have four total, so a couple spares should I really chew one up. Then again, if they dont work I can slide the tube out of the receiver and re-design. MORE DESIGN TIME!
That's a good plan. My only question is will those wheels hold up with that much pressure put on it. Looks like you are putting a wheelie bar on the back of your PC.
I found this pic in an article on skid rollers but it had no info or link to the maker.
