joe2006
Member
Unless you tow with a Hayman Reese Weight Distribution Hitch, read no further.
This is a warning regarding proper tightening of the bolts in the adjustable WDH.
I read on a caravan forum of 2 caravan owners using a Hayman Reese WDH which failed due to a bolt in the adjustable cam section failing. Fortunately neither resulted in the vans becoming detached however they may have been fortunate.
I had read the topic & paid little attention however I recently checked mine before a trip which I have no doubt was about to fail.
My WDH hitch is only a couple of years old & was purchased when we bought our current van & set up by the van manufacturer/dealer. When I bought the Navara this year, the WDH hitch required setting up for the Navara. While I had tightened the bolts, I did not torque them to the recommended 190Nm because I thought it may need further adjustment while I was away & wanted to be able to undo the nuts reasonably easily.
I had forgotten all about it but before our current & extended journey, I thought I had better set it up again since I had the canopy & bullbar fitted & the car is a little lower.
Upon removing the top bolt I noticed that the bolt was bent & cracked about 40% through. The previous trip was only about 500ks in total so it demonstrates the amount of damage that can occur in such a short distance.
This trip has been about 4000ks so I count myself lucky that I checked.
I contacted the local trailer man to purchase a new bolt & he advised that the WDH has a lifetime guarantee. I was aware of that but figured that it was my fault so I was happy to purchase a bolt (which can only be purchased as a kit for close to $50.00). Despite Hayman Reese confirming that the problem was caused by the bolts not being tight enough, they replaced the bolts free of charge.
I have attached some photos. The first of the hitch showing the 2 big muther #@^&*^% bolts. It is the top bolt in the adjustable cam that is under the most strain & is the one which fails. The other photos are of the bolt & the black stuff on the bolt is paint & not rust. Note the crack.
P.S I have attached crappy quality photos because the better ones were taking too long to upload.
This is a warning regarding proper tightening of the bolts in the adjustable WDH.
I read on a caravan forum of 2 caravan owners using a Hayman Reese WDH which failed due to a bolt in the adjustable cam section failing. Fortunately neither resulted in the vans becoming detached however they may have been fortunate.
I had read the topic & paid little attention however I recently checked mine before a trip which I have no doubt was about to fail.
My WDH hitch is only a couple of years old & was purchased when we bought our current van & set up by the van manufacturer/dealer. When I bought the Navara this year, the WDH hitch required setting up for the Navara. While I had tightened the bolts, I did not torque them to the recommended 190Nm because I thought it may need further adjustment while I was away & wanted to be able to undo the nuts reasonably easily.
I had forgotten all about it but before our current & extended journey, I thought I had better set it up again since I had the canopy & bullbar fitted & the car is a little lower.
Upon removing the top bolt I noticed that the bolt was bent & cracked about 40% through. The previous trip was only about 500ks in total so it demonstrates the amount of damage that can occur in such a short distance.
This trip has been about 4000ks so I count myself lucky that I checked.
I contacted the local trailer man to purchase a new bolt & he advised that the WDH has a lifetime guarantee. I was aware of that but figured that it was my fault so I was happy to purchase a bolt (which can only be purchased as a kit for close to $50.00). Despite Hayman Reese confirming that the problem was caused by the bolts not being tight enough, they replaced the bolts free of charge.
I have attached some photos. The first of the hitch showing the 2 big muther #@^&*^% bolts. It is the top bolt in the adjustable cam that is under the most strain & is the one which fails. The other photos are of the bolt & the black stuff on the bolt is paint & not rust. Note the crack.
P.S I have attached crappy quality photos because the better ones were taking too long to upload.
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, I assume they should be fine. 
