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Car Forum / Chevrolet / Chevrolet Trucks / September 2005

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hitch question

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Mike Patterson - 19 Sep 2005 00:26 GMT
I bought a 1-1/4 bolt-on frame hitch receiver, after getting it on I
noticed that the hole for the pin that locks the hitch into the
receiver is drilled _vertically_ instead of horizontally.

I've never seen one like this before, did I get a defective hitch?

Thanks
Mike
Mike Patterson
Please remove the spamtrap to email me.
"I always wanted to be somebody...I should have been more specific..." - Lily Tomlin
Jonathan - 19 Sep 2005 01:38 GMT
Greetings,

Admittedly it is unusual.  Probably some rookie welder at the plant was more
interested in getting his beads straight than paying attention to how the
parts were lined up in the jig.

I don't see any issue with using it like it is, just as long as you have the
keeper or lock on the bottom and the bend of the pin at the top.  This way
if the keeper drops off then the pin will still stay in due to gravity.

I always had a problem with the horizontal mounted pin on my receiver
because both ends got in the way of the holes for the safety chains.  I
don't know if there are any regulations concerning this, but I have seen
verticle pins on Class I receivers that have a flat drawbar instead using
square tubing like those on Class II and III's.

Cheers - Jonathan

>I bought a 1-1/4 bolt-on frame hitch receiver, after getting it on I
> noticed that the hole for the pin that locks the hitch into the
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> "I always wanted to be somebody...I should have been more specific..." -
> Lily Tomlin
Mike Patterson - 19 Sep 2005 03:17 GMT
Thanks for the reponse, I've since looked at the factory drawings and
the hole is definitely wrong. I'd guess you're right, somebody got it
in the jig wrong.

Two problems with using it as-is, can't fit a pin in from above, so
I'd have to use a pin with the swiveling "keep" on the end and insert
from below, which isn't really a problem since I planned to use one of
those anyway (already bought one). Though it makes me a bit nervouse
about the possibility of the pin falling out...

The second and more serious problem is that the ball mounts that fit
into the receiver are all drilled horizontally. I'd have to drill them
out myself, don't think it would hurt the structural integrity much,
but it'd be a bitch to drill a 5/8" hole through an inch of steel
using my el-cheapo benchtop drill press.  :-)

I've emailed the company I bought it from, I expect they'll be sending
me another hitch - I hope.
Mike

>Greetings,
>
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>> "I always wanted to be somebody...I should have been more specific..." -
>> Lily Tomlin

Mike Patterson
Please remove the spamtrap to email me.
"I always wanted to be somebody...I should have been more specific..." - Lily Tomlin
Slap - 19 Sep 2005 07:41 GMT
> Thanks for the reponse, I've since looked at the factory drawings and
> the hole is definitely wrong. I'd guess you're right, somebody got it
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> but it'd be a bitch to drill a 5/8" hole through an inch of steel
> using my el-cheapo benchtop drill press.  :-)

Can you not just drill a hole in the proper place on the receiver?

--
Dave
r_d - 19 Sep 2005 13:41 GMT
...., I've since looked at the factory drawings and
>> the hole is definitely wrong. I'd guess you're right, somebody got it
>> in the jig wrong.
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>>
> Can you not just drill a hole in the proper place on the receiver?

I would return the hitch and get one that was built properly.  They should
pay for the return shipping, if they don't then tell them you want to return
it and get your money back.  Few companies would prefer to save the shipping
and lose the sale.  If you re-drill anything you will weaken the hitch.  It
is designed for a certain capacity any extra holes the capacity changes.

mark
Franko - 21 Sep 2005 23:50 GMT
The stress points created by the vertically aligned holes
will not affect the structural integrity of the hitch
receiver, as a matter of fact, the receiver should be
stiffer for vertical-up/down stresses.  Drilling
horizontally aligned holes will have an effect but should
place it within the original specs for the receiver (1-1/4")
and the maximum tongue weights involved.

Do not use the vertically aligned holes because of the
danger of the hitch pin falling out -- this is the primary
reason they are normally used in the horizontal position.

Wait for a replacement hitch receiver for peace of mind.

Franko

> ...., I've since looked at the factory drawings and
> >> the hole is definitely wrong. I'd guess you're right, somebody got it
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> mark
 
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