These two statements put together.....so many holes drilled very close together could practically cut a frame in to two pieces, yet bolting them back together with washers would be stronger than before?
Correct those erroneous statements, please.
Who's talking about cracks anyway? Don't add cracks to your metal. If you see cracks in your metal then of course common sense would dictate don't install it until you've replaced it.
When you are standing there for hours drilling holes you're gonna notice any major cracks, and if the crack is not visible, well that's what the washer is for to add surface tension so the bolt isn't pushing against the walls of the hole.
Naw, I stand by what I said. I've installed many many hitches, and never had such an issue. It's completely reasonably safe to do for up to 10k lbs of hauling. Any more than that, then there's additional reinforcement required beyond grade 8 bolts and washers.
As stated before don't let your washers overlap each other because then it's not really supporting the bolts position and making use of that extra surface tension you're bolted onto. Use the correct bolt size for the hole, and a washer, and torque spec it hard, it ain't going anywhere.
It's an industry standard that if washers are used especially beefy ones, it's a reinforcement. Cracks aren't as likely to even form if used because it can take off some of the stress off of the bolt and C Channel. I did stress using a washer. A wide washer will ensure enough spacing. Of course I'm not talking about putting the bolts right next to each other so close they touch.
If you use really wide washers between two bolts it's going to be nearly 2 inches apart anyway. There's no way in **** it's gonna break.
