Trailer hitch for a drawbar

[Rudi]

Well, see now.

That is the difference between a do-it-yourselfer and I gonna orderit person...

Many times the item we want is probably available at a store somewhere, but shopping for it sometimes isn't exactly worth the trouble. Me, I get the enjoyment from fabricating something myself. It usually is better than anything I can buy, unless it has been fabricated by a guy like me -- yeah, Rick, Bill, George and you other gotta-fab-it-myself guys... I is chatting about you!!

I think it is just the sheer enjoyment we get from doing it ourselves that makes it worthwhile. Sometimes, heck no, probably most of the time, it probably costs us more to make it ourselves, but that is the prize involved. Satisfaction, pride, fulfillment..

You can't buy that from Wally World, or even Tom at TM Tractor....

[Buzzard Wing]

I agree Rudi.... but!

All I really wanted was the ability to occasionally (possibly NEVER) tow/move a trailer. The idea was to do that as 'cheaply' (I mean frugal) as possible. I was thinking it would be cool to take the metal boat the 1/2 mile to the boat launch (still hasn't been in the water this summer) if I had the car that dosen't have a hitch.

I could drill it out, but it is FORGED steel and when I installed the 10,000# hitch on the truck I had to drill 6 5/8" holes in the tempered frame. Not one of my favorite projects (wear goggles, not just safety glasses and just in case have a magnet handy). The drill bit cost $15!! I don't have a 3/4" bit. The reason I replaced the reciever was that the 'stinger' was "welded" in place and kept hitting it with my shin on it. Of course only 2 of the holes from the old one lined up.

I could drill out one of the HappiJac plates, it is 1/4" and has almost a 3/4" hole. If I drill out both of them I could sell the other one on EBay!


The plate on the truck is a bit thinner, but essentially it is the front anchor for a truck camper mount. If you look closely you can see it between the cab and the bed. http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Bu ... cad87d.jpg

But, if I did that I bet I get a bruised shin!

Did visit the junkyard and only found one in the whole place.... that one was uglier than the broken one and although I had a good sized pipe wrench with me, it was stuck fast againt the rear hatch of a Caravan.

So... I think I will try JB Weld on the old one for now. Hopefully I will get the chance to go fishing in the metal boat this long weekend, but I will have the truck. I just figured it would be easier to explain the lack of lights on the trailer by the SMV sign duck taped to the back of the boat and the Cub as the tow vehicle!

Sometimes the best solution is to make do with what you have. (I would not be against drilling a hole in the coupler on the trailer and using a bolt and a couple of washers to the drawbar!)

Thanks for all the good input!

Film at 11!

[dyt4000]

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... cm_ite=tow

[George Willer]

I think it is just the sheer enjoyment we get from doing it ourselves that makes it worthwhile. Sometimes, heck no, probably most of the time, it probably costs us more to make it ourselves, but that is the prize involved. Satisfaction, pride, fulfillment..

You can't buy that from Wally World, or even Tom at TM Tractor....

Rudi,

The orderit guys have their place, and it's a reasonable approach... especially if someone else is paying for their time. But... the satisfaction factor is and should be the sense of pride we get from adding new skills to our bag of tricks.

I haven't played golf for many years and never very well. I've pondered how much my game would be improved if I simply hired someone like Arnold Palmer to take my shots for me??? The result would be better, but where's the satisfaction?

[Rudi]

George:

Been missing your wisdom and witty posts....

You haven't posted in a bit, and I was getting a little worried... hope all has been well.

As usual you make a lot of sense...

I got a couple of buddies that could help me with my latest honey do project -- insulate the living room floor/wood room ceiling and vapour barrier it, but --

1. My girls are helping me do it, and we are getting to share quality time.
2. My girls are helping me do it, and we are all learning somethings... different things, but learning just the same.
3. My girls are helping me do it, and I am having a blast

I get the same kind of feelings whenever I make something or even fix something in the house lately.

I sure wish there was someway to impart that feeling to others....

Larry:

Yup buddy, I understand, and sometimes it is easier... I take that route on occassion as you well know... although dyt4000 posted a real neat unit. But instead of wanting to go buy it, I am trying to figure out how I can make it with my still limited welding skills....

I am sure though that I saw one of those hitches with the carriage bolt at Princess or Canada Trash... will look again tomorrow...

and as for trying to drill out the drawbar -- well, been there, done that, ain't ever doin that agin....

I used Dad's big ole 1/2" Skill drill -- made around 1960 or something... heavy, strong, and really durable. Wore out a couple bits before I got done... Drilled it out cause it was a butchered drawbar and I was trying to fix up the holes.... I give up on this one.. will use it as a working drawbar only... it will probably never see a coat of paint.... MAN was that tough...

[Bigdog]

Then there's the lucky guy (me) who just happens to have one of those receivers laying in my tool crib. Just need to bolt it onto the drawbar.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

BD, I think you will need to redrill the holes.

[sviennadan]

Then there's the lucky guy (me) who just happens to have one of those receivers laying in my tool crib. Just need to bolt it onto the drawbar.

....or the luckier guy like me that has a hitch that attaches under the fast hitch. Very handy for moving anything, as you use the hydraulics to get under the hitch, then raise , and off ya go!

[Scott]

I like having the hitch on the 3 point on the 444. Just put the trailer on the ball lift then pull up the stand and then drive off

[Bigdog]

BD, I think you will need to redrill the holes.

Nope! Already checked!

[Bigdog]

Then there's the lucky guy (me) who just happens to have one of those receivers laying in my tool crib. Just need to bolt it onto the drawbar.

....or the luckier guy like me that has a hitch that attaches under the fast hitch. Very handy for moving anything, as you use the hydraulics to get under the hitch, then raise , and off ya go!

Yeah, rub it in!

[WKPoor]

I like what dty4000 posted!!. That step bumper receiver looks just purty for the job. I wondered how close those holes would be to the draw bar. And of course I'm partial to the idea of a receiver vs just a hole. Gives you many more options down the road. Thanks dty4000.

Thats what this forum is all about, sharing ideas.

[Scott]

Found some peices of "junk" on a peice of two inch tubing. made this

[Rudi]

Scotty:

Very interesting solution. Almost elegant I like it