Hitch Restoration

Video # 37

Airstream Hitch Restoration

On this episode of Classic Rides, host Kevin Tetz quotes Airstream's founder Wally Byam in saying, "Don't stop, keep on going. Hitch up your trailer and go."

Kevin begins the show by literally taking Wally Byam's advice and restoring the trailer's hitch. According to Kevin, the original hitch installed in the Airstream is solid, but it had some surface rust and some brackets that were not needed. So Kevin removes the brackets, wire brushes the surface rust, puts on a coat of rust encapsulating primer, and follows up with a couple of coats of paint. Now, Kevin is ready to get the hitch system back together in working order.

The RV Doctor, Gary Bunzer, joins Kevin again for this phase in the 1970 Airstream Overland Yacht Trailer's restoration. Gary tells Kevin that the first thing they need to do is replace the electric tongue jack on the hitch. Gary shows Kevin the replacement unit from Alwood, which has an upgraded motor, a larger torque capacity and a lamp feature, which illuminates the entire hitch area. This really helps when hitching up or unhitching when it is dark.

Kevin recommends using jack stands to secure the trailer tongue and free up the tongue jack for easy removal. With the power of the trailer turned off, Kevin cuts the 12-volt wire in the existing tongue jack, removes the tongue jack mounting bolts. Kevin says that it is a good idea to pre-lube these bolts with penetrating oil so that the tongue jack can be pried up and removed easily.

Kevin says that it is a good idea to scrape the rust off before installing the new tongue jack using a wire brush and scraper. Kevin and Gary install the new trailer tongue jack and use bolts to secure the jack. They connect the new jack to the power source. They test the new jack and it works perfectly.

They also replaced the old LP gas cylinders with lighter aluminum units. They use a brace and rod to secure the two tanks. They also install a sway bar to regulate the weight distribution and control any sway caused by wind, passing vehicles and uneven roads.

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