Treg Hitch grease nipple failure on brand new van

Submitted: Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 17:57

ThreadID: 74244 Views:7852 Replies:11 FollowUps:7

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Rocko Wallaby

Evening folks

I took possession of my brand new Coromal Pioneer 402 approx 5 weeks ago, and have overall been very happy with it.

However, after getting back from our first trip, I went to do some preventative maintenance on the Treg hitch, which seemed unusually stiff.
When I went to grease the nipple, I found it totally DOA, with grease physically unable to get through it.

We then went to remove it, and found to our shock that rather than a threaded hole, it was clear the nipple had been pounded (and I mean, pounded with a HAMMER) into a non-threaded hole drilled into the hitch by, I assume, the Treg Hitch manufacturer. It needed to be phsically pulled out with pliers to remove it, as no thread was holding it in and, while loose, couldn't be turned normally. Not only had this "installation technique" caused total failure of, not to mention serious damage to, the nipple itself, but it was clear the entire mechanism was put at risk of long term failure through someones poor workmanship.

To add to it's woes, they had even ground the end of the nipple to "make it fit", before hammering it in place, pretty much stuffing it totally.
The result...there was ZERO grease in the fitting. Not one drop. It had never been properly greased at the factory, nor pre-delivery. Ever.

So, we "fixed" the problem by removing the hitch spindle, redrilling and retapping the nipple hole properly, using an appropriately spaced washer rather than file the guts out of the nipple, fitted a good quality nipple, and did the work PROPERLY. Result: A grease nipple that actually greases.

I'm not sure who's at fault on this one, but I've advised Coromal of the issue. What IS disappointing is that it went through the entire manufacturing process without being noticed, to the point where the caravan was supplied without any grease on the hitch at all. Long term prospects were extremely dangerous. At the least, the metal on metal contact would clearly have caused overheating and premature wear on the hitch, and it could well have eventually seized which, if it happened at the wrong time, could have caused serious damage to the van and towing vehicle, not to mention occupants.

So, the warning to anyone who has a genuine branded Treg Hitch fitted to their van, is check the nipple. My personal thoughts is, while it should have been picked up by Coromal, I assume the nipple was installed by the Treg Hitch manufacturer, so it won't necessarily be isolated to one brand. If it doesn't grease through so it runs out both ends of the hitch, it's dead. More crucially, see how secure the actual nipple is in it's socket. If it's loose, like ours was, or if grease oozes out between it and the hitch, replace it properly ASAP!

Regards,
Scotty

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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 18:25

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 18:25

The long standing name Treg (Tregoning - 1947+) is considered by many to be synonymous for 'quality' (like so much gear from SA :-o)......... hard to rationalise your tale with their reputation for steel fabrication / manufacturing. Did you query it with them ?

AnswerID: 394092

Follow Up By: Member - A J- Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 19:29

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 19:29

Rocko Wallaby - I have two Treg hitches and both of them have push in grease nipple. The straight pull is now 11 years old and the over-ride about 6 years. Over the years we have lost one grease nipple out of the over-ride but can still get grease through to the shaft.

A J

FollowupID: 662329

Follow Up By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 21:03

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 21:03

Scott - you've got a couple of pics re this issue on another forum - how about a close up pic of the actual hitch for this forum ? Just to note the actual hitch model.

FollowupID: 662337

Reply By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 18:27

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 18:27

Hi Scotty,
I'll be double checking mine. Not a good promo for the manufacturer is it?
regards

Fred B
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Lifetime Member
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AnswerID: 394094

Reply By: DIO - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 18:27

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 18:27

Now that you've 'gone to print' re the issue, I wonder what response you would have got from Tregonnings LINK if you had thought to have contacted them. Never know now, they might (MIGHT) have even come to the party with repairs etc. I imagane they would be pretty cheesed off with the lack of quality control on one of their products. I know for a fact that they do have high standards on all of their products. Somehow yours must have 'slipped' through.

AnswerID: 394095

Reply By: Alloy c/t - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 18:46

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 18:46

Are you sure it is a genuine treg and not a copy ? I ask as there are copies out there that look for all intents and purposes as the real deal but are not genuine treg. Do Coromal advertise the coupling as a Treg or as a treg like or as an off road coupling ? Know of a c/t manufacturer on Brisbane sth/side whose trailers are all advertised as having " treg like off road coupling " which are sourced from China and all have press fit grease nipples.

AnswerID: 394097

Reply By: olcoolone - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 18:57

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 18:57

I would say that part is outsourced to a third party and TREG may not of even known.

Maybe a disgruntled employee.

I would be contacting TREG.

As with all things man made, things can be over looked.

AnswerID: 394098

Reply By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 19:02

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 19:02

Hi Rocko,

Doesn't sound like very good Q.A. One thing though, there are grease and oil nipples that are a tap in fit, not threaded. Yours though sounds like bad fitting. IMHO, Treg are responsible for this issue.

Sounds like it was made on a Friday....'tradesman' thinking about the weekend, instead of doing his work properly.

Good thing you do your maintenance, or it may not have been noticed till it was too late.

Cheers, Dave

AnswerID: 394100

Reply By: Member - Mal and Di (SA) - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 20:15

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 20:15

I'm with Darian and Dio on this one, Treg is a very trusted name in trailer manufacturing here in SA.
M.

AnswerID: 394108

Reply By: jdwynn (Adelaide) - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 22:07

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 22:07

Hi Scotty
I previously documented my experience with a Coromal here (last post). Site Link
Hopefully that comes across as a balanced assessment. Some people love their Coromal though - not me.

We have a camper now with a Treg. I've replaced grease nipple on it. Old one got damaged. Strikes me that these nipples are easily damaged.

Question: are Treg's usually supplied in a greased state? If so then Treg would have to be responsible. If not then Coromal would have been expected to grease it and should have identified the nipple problem.

Check Treg shaft receptacle internally - you don't want further problems down the track because its damaged or out of round.

AnswerID: 394137

Follow Up By: Rocko Wallaby - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 22:22

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 22:22

Question: are Treg's usually supplied in a greased state? If so then Treg would have to be responsible. If not then Coromal would have been expected to grease it and should have identified the nipple problem.

Very, very true. That's why I went to Coromal with an email, and not Treg It's their suppliers problem, not mine. Agreed totally...no grease could be pumped through the nipple, so why didn't anyone notice? I did, immediately, and I'm not a mechanic.

FollowupID: 662360

Reply By: Rocko Wallaby - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 22:18

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 22:18

Shrugs. All I can say is that there is written in large letters "Treg Hitch" on the hitch. Unfortunately I can not upload pictures here. You need to be a "member" to do so. However, it's quite clear from the pics on the other forum that the nipple is threaded, and should NEVER have been hammered/pressed/otherwise into a non-threaded hole.

Regardless of the "Quality" of treg hitches, since when is it acceptable to punch in a threaded grease nipple into a non-tapped hole? That's a new one for me. Workmanship, not to mention engineering, of the worst quality possible. Otherwise, the hitch is fine, bar rubbing in the joint thanks to a total lack of grease.

Is it also acceptable to file off the bottom of the nipple to "make it fit" in the hole? Rubbish!

Do I need repairs from them? When I can do it properly the first time myself? No thanks. When I do a job, it is done right the first time.

Interestingly, I took the nipple into a truck mechanics, for a size match for replacement. They took one look, and laughed in disbelief. Couldn't believe anyone would do that. In their words, it was "idiotic".

Disgruntled employee, poor quality control, whatever. Again, I don't know, and honestly don't overly care, who did it. A brand new van, with a screwed faulty nipple poorly fitted on a Treg Hitch, and ungreased, is pretty poor. My warning posted here was quite simple. If you have a Treg hitch, and you haven't either checked the nipple or greased it, then you'd be wise to do so. If your nipples are all fine, then don't play with them further. Do it, or don't do it. That's your choice. Consider the advice given.
Sorry bout that.

AnswerID: 394140

Follow Up By: Top End Explorer - Tuesday, Dec 08, 2009 at 00:05

Tuesday, Dec 08, 2009 at 00:05

You don't need to be a member to post photo's.

Every trailer I have has a Treg hitch, every trailer I purchase, if it doesn't have one will soon there after get one.

Steve.

FollowupID: 662376

Follow Up By: Rocko Wallaby - Tuesday, Dec 08, 2009 at 00:12

Tuesday, Dec 08, 2009 at 00:12

Errr, tried posting photos and it said I couldn't unless I was a member. Comes up with this message each time...

The forum upload photo function is available only to Members of ExplorOz.com.
Why not see our Membership Information and join now for this and many other great features.

FollowupID: 662377

Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 22:25

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 22:25

I would also repack the bearings as on my NEW Princeton.

I think Coromal only showed the bearings to the grease can.

Didnt have enough grease to get around the block.

Amongst other problems

AnswerID: 394141

Follow Up By: Rocko Wallaby - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 22:29

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 22:29

Grinz. I was very specific about that, too. Was assured they had repacked the bearings at the dealer. Intend to chekc that this weekend.
Scotty

FollowupID: 662361

Reply By: Rocko Wallaby - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 22:53

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 22:53

Hmm, had a very good relook at the nipple. Unfortunately, it is extremely "stuffed", but may have concentric ridges which look threaded rather than a helical thread...perhaps the "push in" option could be the correct one for this nipple. It's really hard to see though, and I've encountered only tapered smooth press in nipples previously.

Not that it in any ways justifies why it was loose in it's hole...or not working...or filed at the bottom to "fit", or not filled with grease. Certainly came out disturbingly easily when we removed it.

Always prepared to eat my words if I'm proven incorrect, and I may be on the push in bit...still not sure there. However, tapered, threaded or pushed, it's still a pretty awful job on my unit, and I still advise anyone who hasn't checked theirs to do so.

Did post a pic on "that other forum" of the hitch itself, for those interested.

AnswerID: 394144

Follow Up By: The Geriatric Gypsies - Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 23:43

Monday, Dec 07, 2009 at 23:43

hello Rocko, it doesn't matter what brand of van one buys these days , there is plenty of proof that there is a serious lack of quality control , and when you pick up new van from the dealer , I am sure they don't go over it for there handover check .... we have had a lot of probs with our windsor , but to long to discuss here , we have already whinged on here and other forums ... hope you are all sorted now and have many happy travels ...yes , if you want the job done properly , do ir yourself , regards steve

FollowupID: 662375