Hitch Bar Modification

[William Antley]

I've been trying to mount a hitch bar on my car so I can haul my boat but, I've run into a little problem. The hitch bar is made for this brand of car but, for a different year class it seems. The bar mounts are 2" wider than the frame rails so, obviously, it doesn't quite match up.<br />I'm considering cutting 2" out of the bar where it is welded to one mount bracket and rewelding it together. I will use a three-pass weld and grind and paint after finishing.<br />My concern is, would there be any compromise of the bar's towing strength if I were to cut and weld? I am a fair welder and will take the utmost care in my work but, I want to be sure.<br />Purchasing the proper bar to fit is not an option, so I will be pursuing this rememdy.<br />I would like some input by people in the know to be certain this will be worth my time and effort.<br />Many thanks in advance, I appreciate everyone's thoughts on my dilemna.

 

[JB]

Re: Hitch Bar Modification

Hi, Wild Man.<br /><br />I think what you propose would off-center the hitch. You would have to shorten it equally at both ends.<br /><br />I would cut off both brackets, shorten the bar by cutting both ends back, then reweld both brackets to the shortened bar. Bolt the brackets to the frame first, then tack the bar to them before removing the assembly for finishing the welding.<br /><br />If your welds equal the quality of the original you should be okay.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Hitch Bar Modification

Well,<br />Only You will Know if your Welds can be Trusted.....<br />I recommend you take 1" out of Each Side to keep the receiver centered.....<br />Seems like Alot of Work to make fit...<br />The Heavier Rated hitches pass the cross-bar Through the drop-plates, Rather than Butt-welding them..... This way, you have the Mechanical Strength(bar Thru a hole),+ you can Weld the circumference on 4 sides(inner + outer of Both sides).........<br />Sell the 1 you have,+ grab the Right 1......<br />You Could come out of it, Even......

 

[William Antley]

Re: Hitch Bar Modification

Thanks guys. I'd forgotten about being off-centered. Two welds are just as easy as one.<br />These drop plates are butt-welded, it's a bar with a 1-1/4" receiver. If it were a 2" receiver I would go ahead and obtain a proper fitting one but, it's a somewhat simple task so I'll go with this.<br />My other tow vehicle is down for a bit with fuel system problems so, if this doesn't work I'll put some more effort into getting the main tow running. I'm going to do that anyway, I just wanted to get the boat to the lake for a test run now that I've made repairs to the motor.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Hitch Bar Modification

IMO, being off-center shouldn't make a difference.<br />There are many tow vehicles out ther with 3 different sized balls lined up across the bumper, about 6" apart. Afterall, thats why the factory put those 3 holes in the step bumper.

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: Hitch Bar Modification

Hey Neighbor,<br /><br />If it's flat, you could take 2" out of the bar and weld some angle or reinforcing plates over the fix.<br /><br />Nick in Spartanburg, SC<br /> http://www.geocities.com/jeff_nicholas/BBR.html

 

[Mikevn1500]

Re: Hitch Bar Modification

I made my own,used the bosses as a template. I know for a fact that my hitch is made better than any you could buy. Its thicker,longer frame tie-ins,welded much better than his The trailer will stretch in two before that hitch fails.Go for it.

 

[William Antley]

Re: Hitch Bar Modification

Thanks ya'll! <br />I've gotten it cut and prepped and Monday I'll be welding it up. I cut out 1" from each end so I'll just have to make two welds where the bar joins the plates. I'll make up a jig to hold the parts straight and together, tack it and make any adjustments and then weld it up. It'll probably be stronger welds than the originals as I'm using the three-pass method. The originals looked as if they were just a thick, single pass. This thing will never break!<br />Then I'll FINALLY be able to get my boat out on the water. I bought it in May, just put the engine in running order and now I'll get the hitch fitted. I'm gonna have a blast with my boat. Lots of fishing and cruising!<br />By the way, it's just a little 12' fiberglass semi-V with a Johnson Seahorse 5.5 pushing it. No weight at all so, it'll be a screamer!<br />Thanks againb!