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New trailer hitch build.

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Offline MKOLSEN22

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New trailer hitch build.
« on: August 24, 2007, 11:36:20 PM »
Well I sold my old trailer hitch off of the little Geo, so it was time to build a new one. I used 2" x 3" - 3/16" thick angle for the end pieces that bolt up to the frame. I honestly can't remember the dimensions on the cross bar though. I did cap it all off with a 6" long receiver tube. I still need to do the final welding of the receiver tube as well as adding the loops for the safety chains.

I should have measured things before, but I would guess that I've gained about 6" to 7" of clearance under the hitch. I is also tucked in next to the body as much as I could.  I had to cut out a little section in the center of the bumper bar.  I also trimmed the lower portion of the bumper bracket that is welded to the round cross member.  With the spacing of the holes in the bumper bar it almost looks like it was ment to be done this way.

I'll get it welded up and then use some tubing to make gussets for where the bar attaches to the angle iron. I'll also make a couple of gussets for the reciever tube as well.

I guess that the next project is to get some protection for the gas tank now that this new hitch leaves it out in the open as a target for the rocks.






« Last Edit: August 24, 2007, 11:47:18 PM by MKOLSEN22 »
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Offline olija

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Re: New trailer hitch build.
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2007, 10:51:34 AM »
That's super clean looking. I like how you put the 2" reciever on top so it doesn't get dragged on the ground every time you hit the trails.
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Offline echojeff

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Re: New trailer hitch build.
« Reply #2 on: September 07, 2007, 08:17:53 AM »
Now I really think I can turn my hitch upside down when I get a body lift.  I would look just like this one after ward.
It looks easy to build also.
Thanks for the how-to post
Jeff
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Offline reb

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Re: New trailer hitch build.
« Reply #3 on: September 07, 2007, 11:58:28 AM »
Looks great.   Think I'll do mine that way.  Only question--the four bolts holding it on look small.  Is their shear strength adequate?  When I built one for my '85 Toyota I used channel where you have the angle and ran a vertical piece from it to the side of the frame, with a couple more bolts through the frame.  Might have been overkill.
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Offline MKOLSEN22

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Re: New trailer hitch build.
« Reply #4 on: September 07, 2007, 09:24:44 PM »
I would say yes, but I would also qualify that by telling you to stay within a class 2 tow rating.  I would have to look that up in my trailer supplies catalog at work to get the specific pound rating though.  For recovery work on harder trails I would look into adding at least a couple more attachment points.

(Thanks for the kind words by the way.)
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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: New trailer hitch build.
« Reply #5 on: September 08, 2007, 03:30:11 PM »
That looks good. In the UK all towbars/hitches fitted to vehicles after a certain year have to be certified. On my towbar there is a third bolt on each side, it goes up through the frame and above the frame there is a thick plate with a nut welded to it. The issue may be the strength of the frame rather than the shear rating of the bolts.
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Offline reb

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Re: New trailer hitch build.
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2007, 07:57:47 PM »
Wanted to make my own, but the honeydew list was too long.  I ordered one and installed it.  Interesting to note, it mounts like Molsen22's, with two bolts per side.  They are 12 mm, torqued to 60 lb-ft, which should be stouter than what I originally thought.  Now I just gotta find time to take it off and cut and weld it so it doesn't hang down so far.  Don't know what the manufacturer was thinking.  It could be 2 or three inches higher and still clear the stock bumper.
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Offline ROSS

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Re: New trailer hitch build.
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2007, 08:02:05 PM »
use the bolts to hold it in place. then weld it to the frame
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Ira

Re: New trailer hitch build.
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2007, 02:21:34 AM »
Quote from: reb on November 13, 2007, 07:57:47 PM
Don't know what the manufacturer was thinking.

Is it a Putnam like mine? If so, I don't know what they were thinking either:

One of the holes doesn't line up.
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Offline reb

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Re: New trailer hitch build.
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2007, 11:35:05 AM »
Quote from: Ira on November 14, 2007, 02:21:34 AM

Is it a Putnam like mine? If so, I don't know what they were thinking either:

One of the holes doesn't line up.

It is a Curt--the only one I found to fit a Sport.  It is well built, everything lines up.

Ross--that is a good idea.  I will wait until I can modify it to raise the receiver, unless I find time to build  it into a rear bumper instead.
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