A new hitch on an old Ford

[tom37]

It seems that my trailer is getting heavier and heavier. So I decided that it was time for a real hitch. I used 3/8" bent plate with a 3" hole for the 3"x1/4" square tube to fit thru. I used 1/4" plate to beef up the area where the receiver tube attached to the 3", front and back. There is 3 grade 8 1/2" bolts on each side.



Sorry folks I forgot to get the camera until it was pretty well put together.








Well its gona take one more post to get the rest of the pics.

[tom37]

As you can see I am not very good at making the transition on the corners, but I hope with practice I can catch on.





I know the tube is sorta long but it made a great place for the jack while I was fitting the hitch to the frame.



I marked up my cut lines last night and went to work on it this morning. Between the kids, the wife, and the neighbors I got picked up about dark.

I ran the little 180 maxed out with .035 wire and co2. I was going to use 7018 but I tried a test piece, and after the destructive test it appeared that I was getting good penetration with the mig. So I ran with it.

[walker]

Nice work! It looks like a good design that is safe and well thoughout. I would feel comfortable driving behind it.

[metal-doctor]

That looks nice & beefy. good job.

[Desertrider33]

Looks great, nice work.

I would cut down the tube protruding forward so a spare tire can fit under the bed.

[tom37]

Thank you gentlemen I appreciate it. The average joe wouldn't have a clue what goes into most welding projects.

I agree about the spare tire. I just have to come up with a good secure way to mount it again. When I got the truck it didn't have a spare and the carrier was trashed. I think it fell down while someone was driving maybe. I didn't measure it but there may be room for the rear side of the tire to set right on top of the receiver tube and then I can make some sort of a bracket for the front side.

[CarbedNotch]

very nice work

[loudnproud]

looks like you've got a good bumper there. how did you bend those plates where it mounts to the frame?

[urch55]

Looks like you did a real nice fabricating and welding job. How much tongue weight are you having to hold up. Reason I ask I only see one weak spot. But if you will have a 500 lbs or less you should be fine..
Bob

[Pass-N-Gas]

Do yourself and every mechanic in the distant future a favor by rounding off those corners with a grinder then a flap disc.. Nice work just keep it safe for all of the people that work around it..