Reese Weight Distribution Dual Cam Brackets Dislodged from Trailer Frame

Question:

I was towing my travel trailer with this hitch distribution system and the bolts that attach the cam hardware to my travel trailer came out completely on one side and are twisted on the other side. I have attached photos to show you. I have watched 2 videos on your website and i see one video using riv-nuts installed into the box beam on the trailer and the other video shows the bolts being screwed directly into the box beam. Apparently mine were installed with bolts directly into the box beam which is only about an 1/8inch of steel and the bolts have come out. I am wondering why this would happen and what the fix would be? The plates on the cam have now been bent from all the torque and tension put onto them. Thanks for the reply.

asked by: Matt B

Expert Reply:

Thank you for your photo of your Reese Dual Cam Weight Distribution system's cam mount. I spoke to my technical contact at Reese about the issue you had with the hardware and dual cam brackets coming out of their mounting positions on your trailer frame and he suggest you use the Reese Rivet Nuts # RP58507 to re-install your cam brackets.

These rivet nuts will require you to enlarge the existing holes in the trailer frame to 11/16-inch to accept the rivet nuts. Please refer to the linked instructions. Be careful that you do not over-size those new holes since the rivet nuts need to be snugly fitted. Once you tighten the dual cam installation hardware this will create pressure on the rivet nuts to hold them in place.

It is recommended that you replace the dual cam assemblies since it is quite possible they have been stressed or distorted. You can use kit # RP26002 which includes both the cam assemblies and all new hardware.

You will also want to ensure the system is rated correctly for your actual loaded trailer's tongue weight. You need to account also for the weight of anything in the tow vehicle that sits behind the rear axle.

expert reply by: Adam R