Warning re ORAC hitch failures
Folks,
Just wanted to pass on a warning concerning the ORAC hitches being sold on ebay. I have had one on my campertrailer for about three years, which only weighs about 600kg loaded, and recently noticed the tube carrying the trailer side horizontal shaft cracked from the front to about 1/3 of the way to the rear. It was just a hairline crack but when I started to grind into it to check it I found it went all the way down to the shaft. I had heard of this kind of thing happening once before but didn't think it was a worry for me because my trailer is so light and these things are suppose to be rated for 2000kg. It appears the manufacturer needs to put a reinforcing ring around the tube near the front to stop the cracking of the carrier tube from the front (or use a thicker tube) I guess the tube is just too thin for the job. The car side connection would apply leverage on the front end of that tube when you hit a dip etc. In my case I have removed the old hitch and thrown it away as it could not be repaired. I am replacing the coupling with something stronger.
The original O'Brien ORAC coupling (made in Australia) is not a problem as far as I know and appear to be stronger.
The cheap ebay copies, probably made in China, but stamped with AS4177 and 2000kg, sold by a seller in Victoria - do appear to be a source of the problem. Of course they also offer no warranty. There is more than one ebay seller flogging these things so watch out for them - I won't name them here because that is potential defamation but watch out just the same.
If you have one of these cheap ORACs then please check the trailer side tube for cracks and take action.
Last edited by glend; 19-03-2013 at 09:29 AM.
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