trailer hitch question

[jweller]

A little off topic but it leads to some welding I'd like to do.

I recently bought a pickup truck. One of the things I'd like to do is build a cradle that slides into the trailer hitch receiver, and supports the end of my kayak that hangs over the tailgate (welding project). I just want it to take it the mile or so in my neighborhood to the water. problem is that I can not for the life of me get the hitch pulled out of the receiver. I have tried soaking it with PB blaster, beating it with a BFH, and putting lots of heat onto it. No luck. and yes, the pin is out

I thought about a big chain and a stationary object, but the chain is likely to cost nearly what the truck did, and I'm unsure of a suitable stationary object. I don't want to damage the one nice big tree in my yard. I'm also concerned that when/if it comes free, it will be a missile in the other direction. I don't live way out in the country and so safety is an issue.

Anybody have any advice?

[KBar]

If you put that much effort into it, it tells me that something is bent somewhere or the back end of the hitch got flared out somehow. Did you check that ?

Try taking a piece of 2" square stock with the one end welded shut and going in from the back if you can to drive it out that way. You may have to do the chain thing if that doesn't work. At least if you buy a chain, you'll have it for a long time for other uses.

[jweller]

the back of the receiver is boxed shut. I already thought about trying to drive it through. I am getting tempted to cut the plate off of it, drive it through and then weld it back, but I'm not sure how that effects the integrity of it though.

[WyoRoy]

Mix up some hyd. oil and brake fluid and apply that to the hitch and receiver. Give it a couple of applications and see if that doesn't free things up. If not, it sounds like you have a bent receiver or hitch and it may be best to cut it off and go with another or its so bloody rusted it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace anyway for structural reasons..

[KBar]

Not sure how much room you have but can you drill a hole in the back and get a nice piece of rod in there to help drive it out ?

Im not expert on receivers but if you do cut it off, I would use a sawzall or a wheel, definately not a torch, otherwise you'll weaken the whole receiver.

Just weld it back on then with a good weld, weld that like you would something else so you dont get it too hot or cause it to twist or warp, you should be ok.

[WyoRoy]

Last time I checked, and it has been a couple of years, receiver tube was selling in the $4-6 a foot range down at the steel yard. Cut the offending piece off and weld a new one on, IF you are satisfied with your welding abilities. You'll need to thru-drill for your pin.

EDIT: Be honest with yourself about your ability to do this safely.

[MAC702]

We're sure a previous owner didn't weld it on somewhere as an anti-theft?

If nothing works, I'd take the back off and try the drive-thru. I don't even see a need to replace the back end. Many don't have them anyway.

[SundownIII]

If it's in there that tight, a chain and a big tree may just result in a bent frame on your truck.

Have you tried removing the pin and driving it "in" with a sledge hammer. Most plug-in's don't go all the way into the receiver anyway. I suspect rust is the culprit here and once broken free the plug-in will come right out.

You could make yourself up a crude form of slide hammer using a piece of 3/4" rod and a barbell weight. Weld a stopper on the end of the rod and tack the rod to the plug-in in your receiver. (What I'm describing is a sort of body puller on steroids).

Good luck.

[84ZMike]

Yep sounds like mud and muck has it rusted in..... mine on my work truck gets stuck after as short as a week.... I knock it in with a hammer then wiggle it up and down....if you have already used PD blaster then another penetrating oil isn't going to help unless you clean it off and let it dry.....

[turbo38t]

Chain, tree, gas pedal, orks every time. The tow hitch will keep the frame from bending. Or, have a friend hit the gas pedal and hold tension on it while you whack it with a BFH. Won't missle out like you think. Dave