Late last year I noticed that the trailer coupler on my CL 14DBS began to get cracks around the bolt holes. I recently purchased a new coupler from etrailer. I had to get a "weld on" coupler because the "bolt on" models had the holes in the wrong place (horizontal, not vertical). I intend to drill holes in the "weld on" coupler to match the existing holes in the aluminum frame.
When I removed the old coupler, I noticed that there was something like foam insulation tape on the coupler. Does anyone know why it is there? At first I thought that it was there to provide a "snug fit" (which admittedly sounds a little strange). Now I am wondering if it was there to provide a barrier between dissimilar metals (iron coupler and aluminum frame).
I went to the Lowes to look for robust foam rubber tape, and the best that I could find was sponge window seal, which looks like it would compress a lot and may not be a good dielectric.
I have some old 3M tape that seems less compressible, but definitely not rubber. I'm not sure of the part number, but it looks like this.
Any ideas? Do I need something to provide a barrier between dissimilar metals (which are going to be held together with bolts anyway) or to provide a "snug fit"?
I've attached pictures of the old coupler (hairline crack on top of coupler, and black foam tape on bottom of coupler).
When I removed the old coupler, I noticed that there was something like foam insulation tape on the coupler. Does anyone know why it is there? At first I thought that it was there to provide a "snug fit" (which admittedly sounds a little strange). Now I am wondering if it was there to provide a barrier between dissimilar metals (iron coupler and aluminum frame).
I went to the Lowes to look for robust foam rubber tape, and the best that I could find was sponge window seal, which looks like it would compress a lot and may not be a good dielectric.
I have some old 3M tape that seems less compressible, but definitely not rubber. I'm not sure of the part number, but it looks like this.
Any ideas? Do I need something to provide a barrier between dissimilar metals (which are going to be held together with bolts anyway) or to provide a "snug fit"?
I've attached pictures of the old coupler (hairline crack on top of coupler, and black foam tape on bottom of coupler).