Replaced Safety Chains with Coiled Safety Cables

[rideandfly]

Purchased 5,000 pound capacity coiled safety cables at Northern Tool and replaced the safety chains today.

I used to hang the steel chains over the trailer coupler when not towing (my bad practice) , oxidation started to form on the steel trailer coupler. Removed the hitch and found more oxidation had accumulated:







Cables replacing the chains:



Used a die grinder with abrasive wheel to remove oxidation off of the steel trailer coupler. No pitting had occurred to the aluminum tube. Used soap & water to clean most of the oxidation off of the aluminum tube and used a Dremel Tool with a polishing wheel to finish cleaning the aluminum tube to prevent removing aluminum material.



Two 1/2"-13 Grade 8 bolts/nuts secured the trailer hitch to the aluminum tube. Normally reuse elastic lock nuts up to three times, but purchased new grade 8 elastic lock nuts & torqued the nuts to 110 foot pounds dry:

http://www.americanboltcorp.com/tech/techtorque.pdf



Will order a trailer coupler from E-Trailer & replace next year.

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Coupler/Dutton-Lainson/DL13897.html

[PEIslander]

When you reinstalled the coupler did you include any kind of material separator between the aluminum & the galvanized coupler?
It is always good practice to avoid contact between the dissimilar materials to avoid galvanic corrosion.

[rideandfly]

Good tip!

The coupler is pretty snug fit on the sides & top. Have .020" aircraft aluminum sheet metal, did not try, but looks too tight to fit.  Going to install a new coupler by the end of this year or first of next year. Thinking about using rust inhibitor on the coupler where it contacts the aluminum and aircraft rust inhibitor on the bare aluminum. Will see!!!!!

[rideandfly]

Ordered Trailer Coupler from E-Trailer today:

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Coupler/Dutton-Lainson/DL13897.html

Here's their description about the Zinc finish:

"Zinc TUFFPLATE finish

    Zinc plated yellow chromate TUFFPLATE finish has three times the corrosion resistance of standard zinc plated trivalent chrome process and 30 percent greater corrosion resistance when compared to powder coated finish. Results of lab test using 5 percent neutral salt spray confirms our TUFFPLATE finish provides in excess of 500 hours against First Red Rust and in excess of 100 hours of First White Corrosion."

[PEIslander]

Don't use thin (or any) aluminum sheet as a separator between the galvanized coupler and the aluminum frame. If it is a tight fit try epoxy paint or even electrical tape. Here in Canada our "paper" currency is now made of thin plastic. Since the value of the stuff is dropping, you could use Canadian $20's as your separator. If there's a bit more room use vinyl or rubber sheet or a stack of Canadian $$$. 

[rideandfly]

Don't use thin (or any) aluminum sheet as a separator between the galvanized coupler and the aluminum frame. If it is a tight fit try epoxy paint or even electrical tape. Here in Canada our "paper" currency is now made of thin plastic. Since the value of the stuff is dropping, you could use Canadian $20's as your separator. If there's a bit more room use vinyl or rubber sheet or a stack of Canadian $$$. 

Thanks, it surprised me finding oxidation on the aluminum and inside of the coupler.

Like your thoughts about using paper currency!!!!!!!!!!! 

[Paul]

Don't use thin (or any) aluminum sheet as a separator between the galvanized coupler and the aluminum frame. If it is a tight fit try epoxy paint or even electrical tape. Here in Canada our "paper" currency is now made of thin plastic. Since the value of the stuff is dropping, you could use Canadian $20's as your separator. If there's a bit more room use vinyl or rubber sheet or a stack of Canadian $$$. 

He would be smarter to use 5$ bill instead lol

[rideandfly]

 

[rideandfly]

Bolt pattern on 5,000lb coupler received was different compared to CampLite 5,000lb coupler. Removed CampLite coupler, primed & painted top & bottom with Rustoleum primer & paint. Did not coat aluminum tube.

[Paul]

Nice job!