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Deuce removeable hitch

jesusgatos

Active member
2,689
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Location
on the road - in CA right now
Strykerboy, I'm not trying to be a jerk, but that doesn't looks safe to me. Is the hitch only welded to the bottom lip of that crossmember, or is there some additional reinforcements or gussets that we can't see? If so, that's not a very good way to mount a hitch - because the bottom flange on the crossmember isn't going to do a very good job of keeping the hitch from twisting under acceleration & braking, and the length of that drop-hitch you're using is only going to increase the leverage on the flange/crossmember. I don't know what you're towing with that hitch, but I sure wouldn't trust it with any type of 'real' load. I'm not trying to rip on you, and I hope you take this as constructive criticism. If you want some help improving on that hitch setup, just ask.
 

Strykerboy

New member
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0
Location
Radcliff,ky
a small boat is all i pull with it and i used welding rods for welding armor plate, its a seamless bead all the way around the reciever i jacked the rear end up the truck up from the drop down to load test it, and it didn't move at all.. but i still woulnt pull more then a 5,000 pound load with it...
 

jesusgatos

Active member
2,689
28
38
Location
on the road - in CA right now
...i jacked the rear end up the truck up from the drop down to load test it, and it didn't move at all...
It's the leverage from front-to-back on that drop-hitch that I'd be much more worried about. Jacking up the truck isn't going to stress that crossmember the same way that chaining-up to something solid and giving it a yank would. I'm guessing that crossmember would get twisted-up like a pretzel. But I'm sure you know the limitations of what you've built better than I do. Be safe.
 

jesusgatos

Active member
2,689
28
38
Location
on the road - in CA right now
I really liked the removable hitch that Recht71 posted, and removable hitch in the other thread that mlwats1 started is pretty cool too.

Yesterday I spent some time crawling around under Mah Deuce, and this is what I came up with. I liked the basic idea of the removable hitch that Recht71 posted, but I wanted to brace it a little bit differently. So I designed these brackets, which would be bolted to the outside/bottom of the frame, directly under the rear crossmember. I would use the grab-handle holes in the sides of the frame, and the three rivet holes that secures the rear crossmember to the framerails (drilled-out and replaced with bolts). I would also drill several additional holes in the sides of the frame in order to distribute the load over a larger area.

The crossmember makes this part of the frame very strong, and the double-shear brackets (could even be boxed) also make it possible to make those attachment point quick-release. But I'm building Mah Deuce to travel, and I didn't want to have to carry that hitch in my trailer, I was planning on using the brackets as pivot-points. The whole the receiver hitch assembly could fold-up and lay flat under the framerails.

That would be a pretty slick setup, but the more I think about it, I'm not sure I'll end up building this. I think I might just build a simple 2.5" receiver that will mount right under the pintle-hitch and bolt directly to the rear crossmember. I've got a idea of how I might be able to brace that to make it strong enough, and it would be a much more compact (and permanent) solution. I'll post some more screen captures and pictures when I get around to that, but I figured I show everyone these bracing brackets in case any of you want to use this idea. I can even provide you with my measurements and/or CAD files.
 

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jatonka

Well-known member
1,801
57
48
Location
Ephratah, New York
I saw the removable hitch that Recht71 makes and I bought it right away. Just as simple as can be and really built. I know good ideas when I see them, He has this figured out. I am real happy with what I bought from Randy. JT
 

BigWill1276

New member
44
0
0
Location
Nevada
Could that hitch hold a 10,000 pound Toy Hauler? I was wondering how I was going to tow the toy hauler with a deuce. How much is Recht71 selling the hitches for?
 

atankersdad

In Memorial
In Memorial
1,878
15
0
Location
Glen Arm Maryland
I also saw that hitch this weekend. I put an order in for one. Now to the so called manufacturing experts on this site who bashed this hitch, you were wrong again. We need to be more supportive of individuals who are creative and think outside the box. I would have one today if JTONKA had not gotten the last one. If Recht71 would of had a dozen hitches, he could have sold all of them. My 2 cents..
 

DUECE-COUPE

Member
357
5
18
Location
Scurry. Tx
the hitch idea is great, but how are you handling the lights on the trailer?? are you using 24volt bulbs, or have you found a way to reduce the voltage so you can haul the trailer with a regular 12 volt vehicle?? inquiring mind want to know.
 

Recht71

New member
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Location
Fremont , Indiana
Hitch

I use my trailer for mostly my Bobcat and Tractors behind my Ford Truck.I bought a set of lights with the magnet base wired a military end on it works great. Thanks for positive the input It is a nice set up . In P.A road Const hit some bad bumps and I mean bad . My deuce with the LDS engine and the spicer AUX is great 60 mph at 2200 with plenty of pedal left.With my Deuce, M-37 and trailer is around 21000 # On the long grades I was able the stay in 5th quit a bit longer then the Wild Thing 26800# in 4th 2100 rpm the Egr stayed close to 1250 degrees very happy with the way it ran Till Later Randy P.S my PYRO is right above the turbo
 
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Driver523

Member
528
23
18
Location
Cloverdale Mi
Great job Randy---The hitch looked great and the way it goes on and comes off is truely inventive---glad you guys got over the road so well and made it home-----great job my friend----------Driver
 

ALFA2

Member
205
2
18
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
From what I saw of the hitch design, if someone bends solid 2" bar steel in compression, as a result of towing a small light trailer, then there are other much more serious problems there.

It looks well made. As a removable hitch, it is limited in weight capacity and ease of being installed and removed easily, so just light trailer is it's limits. When you compare it with commercialy sold class 4 hutches, and what people try to pull with those, this will hold up much better and longer, just based on design and metal thickness of it's parts.
ALFA2
 

m816

New member
483
6
0
Location
Chatham, NJ
I'm happy to say I scored one of these hitches from Randy and I just have to figure out what I am going to mount it to. It is a beautiful piece of enginiering The best part is, it is removeable so when you drag a trailer to a show, the whole thing comes off to be stowed away and you don't loose the military look of your vehicle. Vinny
 
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