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Another hitch mod

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:01 pm
by nishby
Here's my solution to all of the paraphernalia rolling around the floor in the back of the Bling Bus.
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It's a standard locking storage tote bolted to a steel plate, welded to a reciever bar, and inserted into the second receiver in my hitch.
It holds my booster pack, tow straps, tire iron, extra receiver bar & ball, adjustable wrench, bungees, pan heater cord, ice scraper, etc., all of which were previously tangled in a big mass on the floor.

When I get enough spare time I plan to replace the plastic box with a home-made treadplate aluminum one.

Re: Another hitch mod

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:03 am
by mararmeisto
Slick!

Now I know what the multi-receiver hitches are for. Always wondered why one would need three receivers when the vehicle will only tow one thing at a time.

Re: Another hitch mod

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:33 am
by Delicaman
Is your hitch welded to the frame? I got the triple receiver hitch from Max Overdrive and I took it off because it was wobbly. I had a couple of heavy mountain bikes on the bike rack and the whole thing moved around. The hitch still used the weak body mounting holes from the chrome bumper bar that used to be there. It does mount up on the frame as well but just didn't look "Skookum" enough. I'd like to see your mounting location if you could snap a couple images of it...

Cheers, :-)

Benn

Re: Another hitch mod

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:43 am
by Luna-Sea
Is your hitch welded to the frame?
So far all my research into the matter (including some post on here)
of hitches say welding on a unibody frame is
a major NO-NO
I have a really lame stock one with a 1.5 inch hitch that bends from just looking at it.
It has very little reach under the van. I think it maybe could tow a cooler (empty) :-(

Bolting seems to be the way and hitches that have a good reach under the deli
seem to be best.(those 3 hitch Max OD ones are pretty cool lookingbbut I don't know about their reach)
If the reach is good and you use at least two of the hitches it should be gold.

Did you see his original post?
http://www.delica.ca/forum/homemade-rec ... tml#p42251

Its practically giving the Deli a Colonoscopy,which in this case is a good thing. :-D

Nice one Nishby!

Right on! 8-)

Re: Another hitch mod

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:09 pm
by konadog
Delicaman wrote:Is your hitch welded to the frame? I got the triple receiver hitch from Max Overdrive and I took it off because it was wobbly. I had a couple of heavy mountain bikes on the bike rack and the whole thing moved around. The hitch still used the weak body mounting holes from the chrome bumper bar that used to be there. It does mount up on the frame as well but just didn't look "Skookum" enough. I'd like to see your mounting location if you could snap a couple images of it...

Cheers, :-)

Benn
I have that same hitch and have used it everyday to drag our often pretty heavy gardening work trailer around for a year now - take Mtn. bikes off that hitch on wknds too - no problems at all. It's tilted downwards a bit (actually makes the trailer sit at just the right angle :-) ), but sure isn't "wobbly"! Sounds like yours wasn't bolted on properly - The main bolt holes are onto the main frame - totally skookum enough.
And hey Nishby - Very cool - smart - set-up with the utility box off the outside receiver like that! I'd be inspired to copy your idea but the box on our trailer serves that function for us - 8-) :-D :M

Loadin' up that trailer on the M-Drive hitch - our tool-box too :-D
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Re: Another hitch mod

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:10 pm
by nishby
My hitch is mounted to the same six points as the MaxOD one, but the entire unit is one piece welded. The MaxOD hitch is several pieces bolted together which could potentially create wobble points if not tightened well, or if the bolts are undersized.

The downside to a one piece unit is that it has to pretty bang-on when built or the holes won't line up. Lots of fitting and re-fitting, but in the end it worked like a charm and is as solid as anything I've seen.

Hey Benn, if your hitch is a bit wobbly, a few small welds added in few places would likely take care of the problem. I'd do it for you but I'm in Ont-terrific. :?

Shane.