On Fri, 22 Aug 2014 18:19:57 -0400, Meanie
wrote:

O

If you're pulling on it where you say "Fig 2", and it's pulling on
something where you say "Fig 1", then between the 210 degree bends it's
going to be all floppy, no matter what. You're putting a bending stress
on it that's strongest at your "Fig 2" point, and flat strap just doesn't
resist bending well. If you could substitute bigger material (tubing or
bar) for the cross piece up to the bend, and just use thin strap to the
ends, then you'd be a lot better.


You're dead on. The "fig 2" is where an adapter/mount is attached for a
very small trailer. The "fig 1" is where the drawbar attaches to an
axle. After my test run, the area in "fig 2" is bending inward, most
likely from inertia when braking, but overall, I realize the stop and go
will apply the most pressure in that area and soon break.

When you say bigger material, are you indicating an aluminum channel or
rectangular tube will work much better? This is my thought due to the
supporting sides/legs which I am hoping will eliminate the flexing and
strengthen that "fig 2" area.

Thank you
One thing you need to remember when deciding between steel and
aluminum. If steel flexes, but does not bend bast it's elastic limit,
there is little or no "fatigue" introduced, but if aluminum moves AT
ALL it is building up "fatique" damage and will soon break. For a
trailer hitch you do not want ANY flex if it is aluminum, and more
important, you do not want aluminum if there is any possibility of
movement/bending. Also, welding aluminum structures where repetitive
stresses are expected is a job for an EXPERT with engineering knowlege
as well as welding ability. I was not able to access the diagram -
will try later - but from the description so far I'm thinking you
should be using square steel tubing with fish-plates or gussets welded
to the angle joints