Importance of a torque wrench?

i like! we test bolts with a gauge called a skidmore (i think). havent done it in a while, but it reads tension. ...big huge 1" bridge bolts. mega torque stuff. fun stuff.

 

Correct! Skidmore-Wilhelm.

 

Drill a 1/16" hole through the stem of the ball and insert a cotter pin above the point the nut secures it. Saftey wire will also work quite well. So get the torque about right, secure and forget it.

This is an effective solution I have performed. Getting the position of the hole correct is the hardest part. Drill press and vise works fine.

Simply, safety wire and pins have been used for a long time in situations much more cricital than this. Don't over think it... it bad for brain cells.

 

For a hitch, use an appropriate size wrench, or 1/2" drive socket wrench, and tighten it snug, re-tighten after use. Good enough. Torque is not complicated, 65 ft lbs is 65 lbs of force on a 1 foot lever.......You can guess close enough, especially for a hitch.