5.0 landing foot plate missing?

[hitectoys]

Returning from a 2500 mile trip I was mystified to look down and see that one of my landing foot plates was gone. I always raise them completely up and my trailer is lifted so the foot plates are pretty high up. I also don't remember taking a dip deep enough to knock it off. I'm guessing the cotter pins are not strong enough. What do you think?

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by hitectoys

Returning from a 2500 mile trip I was mystified to look down and see that one of my landing foot plates was gone. I always raise them completely up and my trailer is lifted so the foot plates are pretty high up. I also don't remember taking a dip deep enough to knock it off. I'm guessing the cotter pins are not strong enough. What do you think?

Hi: hitectoys... It's always the weakest link that lets go!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Centex]

My 5.0 Foot Plate assembly is as shown in this pic, is yours? If not, please post a pic of your remaining attached foot plate.

If yes, I suppose that it's possible your cotter (hairpin type) was 'sprung' and fell-out on its own, allowing the clevis to work its way out and the foot plate to drop off. Or perhaps something 'snagged' the cotter pulling it out then allowing the rest to follow.

I know on mine the detent shape of the cotter makes it quite resistant to pulling out, between that and its location it's an unlikely candidate for 'snagging' / inadvertent removal.

Unfortunately, methinks your cotter or entire foot plate was likely liberated by some neer-do-well along the way. Replacing the cotter with a split ring could deter that sort of thing, they can be found in the hardware aisle at Lowes / Home Depot.

[Brian B-P]

If it was a problem with the retaining pin falling out, you might want to use a pin with a spring retainer for the replacement - the style often known as a PTO shaft locking pin is convenient.