My New hitch hauler (photos)

[DaUpJetSkier]

Uploader is slow or not working so I have to add one at a time.

Anyways, picked up the materials from a fab and machine shop for $30. The dimensions are 2x2 square stock is 30", I believe 1/4". Angle iron length is 48", and the sides are 14", could be 15 to fit just perfect for a superjet. The braces under that attach to the square pipe are also 14" long.

I spent $30 in hardware for all stainless and the eye bolts are zinc coated, I still have a lot of hardware left that I havent used yet so price is actually lower.

I had my buddy weld it up at work seeing we work at a body shop but Im not much of a welder as you can see by the shims I made. Took about 2 hours to weld, paint and bake in a spray booth, drill the holes which are pita, and put the bunks on. It weights probably 50-60 lbs.

Im going to get some adjustable air shocks for the back of the jeep and I should be all set. Some guys at work say its too much stress on the uni-body frame, other say dont worry about it. I do plan on going one way out to california like that pretty loaded down so that should be interesting..

 

[DaUpJetSkier]

I also may need to add some trailer lights because the blinkers arent visible in daylight and for long trips relocate my license plate to the inside the rear window.

 

[DaUpJetSkier]

more

 

[2ride]

when are you coming to CA???

Cuong

 

[DaUpJetSkier]

Ah a bay area resident, If all goes to plan I should be driving out first or second week in July. My girlfriend attends the academy of art university is san fran, but I am probably going to live her parents in the east bay for a while and have a job pending at the berkeley marine center. Where do you ride mostly?? Need a roommate?

 

[Waternut]

Just built one Saturday myself...and on a Jeep Cherokee no less. lol
I bought the actual carrier from Lowes for $50 and bought the carpet and wood for another $15.

 

[DaUpJetSkier]

funny, how are saggage, its hard to see from that pic. You going to do anything about it. I did an add a leaf a month ago because it was bad with no weight, but I think a set of $100 napa air shocks will do well.

 

[Waternut]

Actually I already have a 2" lift with add a leaf springs in the rear. Currently the back sits 2.5" lower than the front with no one in it and the ski on. Might help if I put the 5 gallon gas can in the front.
I'm trying to ignore issues with Jeep though purely because it's my secondary vehicle and I only have it because it doesn't cost anything to own...lol. I've replaced everything else though in the past 3-4 years.

On a seperate note. I think I will need to get one of those 2" hitch brake lights because the ski pretty much covers the brake lights.

 

[Mike W]

That is the most expensive bumper I have ever seen. oke:

Looks good man.

 

[AtomicPunk]

looks good... :biggthumpup:

Did you try it w/o the shims first? Do you think you really need them?Or are the precautionary?

 

[DaUpJetSkier]

Shims are definitely necessary. See the 2" square is just that used for anything so its looser than the piece you put in to tow with that goes into the reciever. The shims eliminate any wobbling. I drove around with it on for a day and it handled fine, I didnt get too crazy though, and yes its a couple thousand dollar bumper.

 

[Waternut]

Funny. I replaced the crappy 1.25" hitch with a 2" hitch just to do this. When I put my hitch carrier on, I was really struggling to get it into the hitch. I think it took a few minutes to actually get it in. The paint was pretty thick though.

 

[DaUpJetSkier]

Ive actually found a couple devices that are anti rattles devices that may work a lil better than my shims.

 

[Sidsol]

Which couples are they?

 

[u887266]

This thing will work great. I have a buddy of mine buy one of those things, they are called versi-hauls, he paid about $100 for it and then I made one just like his for about $30 as well.
Great job, it looks good.

 

[Shifty]

That is a nice and simple, looks good.

When I was thinking about building one I was going to weld four 1/2" nuts to the bottom and one side of the actual receiver so I could lock the haulers square tubing down tight against the sides of the receiver.

You may wan't to put some tethers on the shims incase one wiggles loose. You could loose it or pop someones tire.

 

[Cannibal]

Almost all hitches are loose. One way to solve this is put a couple spot welds on the tube and file/grind it down until it just fits in the receiver. Hit it with a little paint and you are good. No more rattle-rattle while towing.