SuiteSuccess Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 If you have the first generation ET Hitch please check the top thru rod or contact Henry Smytz asap. My hitch and one other at Hutch failed creating a potential safety hazard. I have had this Hitch for six years and less than 10k miles pulling. The Generation 2/3 have design changes to hopefully correct this problem. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffw Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 Thanks for the warning. How can we identify the generation of the hitch? 2007 Volvo 780 Volvo D12D, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted October 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 The gen 1 has collers on the thru rod and a single 1" tab on each side through which the rods go. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSeas Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 The gen 1 has collers on the thru rod and a single 1" tab on each side through which the rods go. Picture? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffw Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 This is the only picture I can find of our hitch...is it enough to ID? 2007 Volvo 780 Volvo D12D, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickW Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 Looking at the top dog bone it does not appear to be a 1st generation. 2017 Entegra Anthem 44A SOLD - 2004 Volvo 780. 465hp and 10sp Auto Shift (from 2010~2017) SOLD - 2009 Montana 3400RL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billr Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 We had this collar config. They don't stay put with the Allen bolt I kept putting back in position but was not able to stop them from walking. Henry does the upgrade and that's what we did. If you can't get that done right away you could pound them back to position and place a very small tack weld in the end to hold them. Allowing it to be ground off later fir removal. The upgrade is well worth the effort and money as you end up with a nearly brand new hitch when it's done. Besides a chance to visit the Fl ET HQ paradise ? Bill and Joan and 3 Collie pups 2001 Volvo VNL 770 "The Doghouse" Singled short, "ET" hItch VED12 465HP Gen 1 Autoshift 3.58 ratio 2005 Mobile Suite 38RL3 2011 Smart Passion loaded piggybacK Weigh-It Portable RV Scales http://www.weighitrv.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted October 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 Jeff, I can't get my pics to upload but if the tabs at the top of your Hitch look like two 1" pieces of steel welded together and bolted to hitch frame then you have a later version. Will try later to re-load some pics. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKP101479 Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 The added support of the conversion away from the collars on the top shaft works. No 'hopefully' about it. Supplied with new 'tower' mounts and excellent advice as to the location to mount them the conversion went well...3 years and 24,000 miles ago. J&V with Edina (RIP), the wonder dobie andNet Proceeds our 2005 Volvo VNL630 256" WB. Focus SVT on the back, in the garage. ET Hitch controlling the articulation. Jackalopee controlling the 'juice'. 2002 Teton 39' Grand SundanceAll still a work in progress.Photos and comments at http://gallery.ournetproceeds.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted October 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 Here are the collars. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted October 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 Here is another. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff.Sloan Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 So if my hitch has the allen screw collars, then it needs to go back for repair? 2004 Volvo 630, Cummins ISX, Eaton 10 speed (air assist clutch), 3.71 3.07 rear locker, ET jr, 200" WB, GearMaster 2017 Forest River Sierra 372LOK Full time June 2017 DW, 2 kids, and 2 dogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 Jeff, Henry will "repair" for you but you will need to pay for the upgrade to the new hitch. He basically replaces everything from the base plate up. The only thing left in the truck is the two angles that bolt to the frame, the base plate, leveling valve and the airbags. The rest of the frame, dog bones and head will be new. 2017 Kenworth T6802015 DRV 38RSSA Elite Suites2016 Smart Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 First the differences. Generations 1 will have a 3/4 inch support for the shafts and anchor for the shafts which are welded to the fronts of the hitch sidewalls. Generation 2 & 3 will have a 1 and 3/4 inch support for the shafts and anchor for the shafts which are bolted to the fronts of the hitch sidewalls with 4 bolts on each side. 5/8 bolts on the sides of the sidewalls and 1/2 inch bolts through the upper flange. Support for the shafts has been more than doubled, the space has been eliminated and the collars are gone. Gen 1 hitches can be refurbished to contain all the improvements from Gen 2 and Gen 3 and extend their utility to like new Gen 3 condition. Now I have some dramatic pictures of my own. This is ET number 2 (second one produced after my prototype). The Newmar fifth was hit by a Greyhound bus on the right side of the rig. It totaled the Newmar by shifting the 18 inch frame 3 inches forward on that side. It sheared both sides of the upper shaft and the head shaft. Also, during the crash it drove the upper dogbones into the lower dogbones and bent the 1 x 2 steel arms of the lower dogbones on both sides. In spite of that the lower shaft held, keeping the hitch together. In spite of all that damage they hooked up the busted trailer to the busted hitch and towed it to the repair facility 5 miles away. The owner purchased another trailer and ordered immediately an ET replacement (Gen 2 at that time). His stated reason, "your hitch saved my life by keeping everything from coming forward into the back of my cab". He had a day cab. Incidentally because of the big mounting plate (part of the hitch) when the truck was checked the frames were perfect and not tweaked at all. The redundant system of the two dogbones does the trick. When I broke my "original" we were half way to Florida, I immobilized the hitch and continued the remaining 1,400 miles to the "sunshine state" without much concern. Once at the campground I removed the hitch and repaired it with refurbished parts (to Gen 3 configuration). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 Incidentally, the cost of the upgrade to Gen 3 configuration is $950 installed, less than 25% of the new hitch and you will essentially have a new hitch with all new and refurbished parts. The Gen 3 hitches are pulling fifths well over 30K GVWR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 So if my hitch has the allen screw collars, then it needs to go back for repair? Jeff, Gen 2 and 3 also use allen screws but these are used in different location and are incorporated into bushings , not collars. Email me the picture of the hitch or compare to the pictures above to identify your model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 This is the only picture I can find of our hitch...is it enough to ID? It is at least Gen 2 or Gen 3 depending when it was originally purchased. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawdog Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 Henry- Sent you a pm. Dave Dave, Renee & furkids Casey & Miss Kitty 1998 Volvo 610 Straight 10 "Leather n' Lace"; Herrin bed w/Rampage motorcycle lift; 2010 40' New Horizons Majestic; 2008 Harley FLSTC; 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited; 1999 Yamaha 4X4 Kodiak (that is NOT with us!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted October 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2016 Henry, Were your pictures of the bus crash taken immediately after the crash? 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted October 20, 2016 Report Share Posted October 20, 2016 Henry, Were your pictures of the bus crash taken immediately after the crash? Don't remember exactly, as you can see it was back in 2011, but it looks like some were taken one day and the others almost a week later. It took me few weeks to build him a replacement hitch, so the pictures could be few weeks old and Marvin (the owner) didn't send them to me right away (just called me and requested another hitch right away). Also it took him a while to get the insurance money to purchase another trailer and a new hitch. The truck and the trailer (for disposition) set a while at the same place (that eventually installed the hitch) which was about 5 miles from the site of the crash. It was interesting that somebody actually got that trailer with the frame 3 inches off and really not towable. The only thing I can think was that they were going to use it as a park unit. That Newmar had a really gorgeous interior and was in good shape. Marv and Connie were some of the earliest HDTers and attended the first or second Rally in Wichita. As I said before, his was the second ET built about a year after my prototype. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff.Sloan Posted October 25, 2016 Report Share Posted October 25, 2016 Jeff, Gen 2 and 3 also use allen screws but these are used in different location and are incorporated into bushings , not collars. Email me the picture of the hitch or compare to the pictures above to identify your model. Thanks a lot for showing the difference in units. The previous owner (Ray S.) built his HDT ~6 years ago so not sure which version he originally purchased/I now have. I will inspect, take some photos, and send them over if I am not sure. :-) Jeff 2004 Volvo 630, Cummins ISX, Eaton 10 speed (air assist clutch), 3.71 3.07 rear locker, ET jr, 200" WB, GearMaster 2017 Forest River Sierra 372LOK Full time June 2017 DW, 2 kids, and 2 dogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff.Sloan Posted October 26, 2016 Report Share Posted October 26, 2016 I do have the Gen1 hitch. Confirmed it tonight. I just sent you an email at sales@ethitch.com. Hopefully that is the right place ;-) 2004 Volvo 630, Cummins ISX, Eaton 10 speed (air assist clutch), 3.71 3.07 rear locker, ET jr, 200" WB, GearMaster 2017 Forest River Sierra 372LOK Full time June 2017 DW, 2 kids, and 2 dogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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