Evolution of a Trailer Hitch

[CCW 1,292]

The Wheel horse Forum has become a go to place for me. Not so much for all the implements and restorations, though they are fascinating, rather for the myriad ideas that keep percolating to the surface as I read the work and modifications that you all enjoy doing. For this reason I am outlining my “Evolution of a Trailer Hitch.”

 

As a project it began about five years ago when I discovered my father’s 312-8 sitting in the horse stable with tires going flat and running poorly. It was then I decided to bring the little beast home to my wife’s chagrin. “What are you going to use that for?” We only have a quarter acre lot and not a completely unreasonable question. At the time I was sixty years old and told her in a few years I am not going to be able to move my trailers around the yard and when I cannot keep up with the lawnmower I can use it to cut the grass. Today I am very happy to have it to move the trailers from the back to the front for dump runs and spreading mulch. Never did like using the wheelbarrow for that job.

 

Issues -

1. How do I connect my draw bar to the rear of the trailer?

2. Suitcase weight bracket mounted on the back.

 

Parameters -

1. Not loose the drop in hole capability

2. Attach new draw bar receiver to existing standard issue draw bar.

3. Maintain suitcase weight bracket for future use if rear weights needed.

 

Solution -

Using the hole for dropping a pin in I bolted a section of square tubing to it. This tubing had a tongue extension with a hole drilled in it for pin drop connections. Parameter #1 solved.

 

This almost worked but the new receiver was too low and would spin about the single bolt connection. Height was solved by welding a second section of tubing to the top raising the trailer tongue to the correct height. Spinning solved by making a collar of threaded rod to wrap around the inside part of the hitch receiver. Parameter #2 and #3 solved.

 

Am I a happy camper or what. Well almost. Used the trailer to move a yard of topsoil and what happens the factory installed tongue begins to bend. How to correct this problem. The solution was hanging right above the hitch. Created a cradle with angle iron and threaded rod to suspend the new hitch from the suitcase bracket (first image). This worked great, but parameter #3 has been negated.

 

Fast forward three years and now retired and read a post by @JCM about rear hitches that made my brain start to whirl. Never did like to angle iron, threaded rod solutions I came up with. It worked, but ugly is the only word for the design. With time on my hands I began to reexamine the hitch connection and devised a new mounting solution. Instead of the rod angle iron cradle I welded (oh yeah bought a new welder this past year as well) a nut to the top o the hitch receiver. Then made a small bracket that slid over the top of the center rib of the suitcase hanger (third image). Welded a leg and foot to this that made contact with the top of the receiver (second & third images). A thread rod was inserted into the nut on the receiver and ran up trough the new bracket. As a nut was tightened on the top it drew the receiver up to the bracket foot and locked it into place (image four). What a fantastic solution. But I still had the rod collar around the receiver to prevent spinning. To me this was still ugly. New solution – two pieced of flat steel welded to the bottom of the receiver to hang on either side of the factory draw bar (image five). Bolted back in place and now have a securely fastened hitch receiver without all the extraneous hardware. Oh yes. Parameter #3 once again accomplished.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 1, 2020 by CCW

[ebinmaine 67,306]

I enjoy reading the thought process behind your work as much as seeing the end results.

Well done sir.

 

12 hours ago, CCW said:

Wheel horse Forum has become a go to place for me.

 

It's the ONLY social media site I have.

 

If you're not careful you'll end up making a friend or 2.

We have several gatherings throughout the country over the year.

Though this year that will be a different level of challenging. We'll just hold strong and patient like we always do and post LOTS of pics.

 

I too get many of our ideas and MUCH of our help and wisdom from this site.

Wheelhorse of course, yes... But in all manner of things Trina and I are trying to accomplish.