Lots of you have helped us by sending pictures of your hitch mods, so that our 345 could be setup to tow more than the 2000 LBS limit we have.... We have been to over 10 shops in the last week (including welding places, mechanics, u-haul, rv stores, trailer specialty places etc...and NO one has been willing to help us with re-inforcing our hitch....) Does anyone know of a place that is not too expensive in the Connecticut area (near shelton)? Thanks!! Chris
Lots of you have helped us by sending pictures of your hitch mods, so that our 345 could be setup to tow more than the 2000 LBS limit we have.... We have been to over 10 shops in the last week (including welding places, mechanics, u-haul, rv stores, trailer specialty places etc...and NO one has been willing to help us with re-inforcing our hitch....) Does anyone know of a place that is not too expensive in the Connecticut area (near shelton)? Thanks!! Chris
Chris,
I did all of the fabrication and some of the welding myself and then had a friend of mine who is a certified welder do the critical welding.
If you haven't already you might check with the race car builders (i.e. circle track, you know the type "turn left turn left turn left) in the area. They generally do a lot of their own welding or might be able to direct you to someone who will.
I have a friend that races who lives near Granby CT and I'll check with him to see if he has any suggestions.
I have more pictures to send your way unfortunately they are at home and I won't be back there until early April.
Brad
__________________ "Wherever you go... there you are." - Buckaroo Banzai
Air forums # 1674
1984 310 Limited Motorhome
1974 31' Excella 500 (future hauler for 2 Triumph race cars)
1974 20' Argosy Motorhome (future Excella 500 tow vehicle)
"Dick at Standard Welding in East Hartford, CT (860) 528-9628 took care of me when I wanted my RV outfitted with a hitch that would tow my trailer. I have no doubt you could pick up my RV by the hitch he installed. Wasn't cheap, but I don't mind paying for high quality."
Try giving them a call and see if they will help you out.
Good luck!
Brad
__________________ "Wherever you go... there you are." - Buckaroo Banzai
Air forums # 1674
1984 310 Limited Motorhome
1974 31' Excella 500 (future hauler for 2 Triumph race cars)
1974 20' Argosy Motorhome (future Excella 500 tow vehicle)
Have you tried a horse trailer shop or other livestock trailer dealer? Often they can come up with the best solutions. If you have a trailer (utility box type or auto carrier type) builder in your area that would also be a good place to try. I have a utility trailer/auto carrier trailer dealer in my community and they know way more than the RV dealer down the road...in fact, the SOB RV dealer told me he doesn't handle hitches at all, he just sends his customers down to the utility trailer dealer for all his hitch related issues. I have used them and they certainly were able to take care of me when it came to fine tuning my hitch set up.
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2006 30' Safari - "Changes in Latitudes"
2008 F-250 Lariat Power Stroke Diesel Crew Cab SWB
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yes...we have tried a horse trailer shop...they said they did not want the liability..... we are stuck here and cant hit the road till we have this issue resolved....
Mine has been reinforced with what looks stronger i-beams running off the frame, then a standard class IV car hitch bolted on to that, however the steel used appears to be rusting and not solid in places... so i may be in your shoes soon. Also moho was sitting for awhile in FL before i purchased and the insert for towing a car has frozen itself in my reciever.... I've tried pulling on it with a 4wd 4-wheeler, beating with a sledge hammer, tons of rust eater... so i guess either way im gonna need a new hitch at least.
I had one stuck pretty bad one time ,
I was finally able to get it out by using a big air chisel.
something about the repeated blows that loosened it.
I did wack it a few times driving it back in with a #10 sledge hammer.
once it moves ever so little, the air chisel will remove it.
also if you have a cutting torch and heat it that will also get it started.
Luck!!
Also moho was sitting for awhile in FL before i purchased and the insert for towing a car has frozen itself in my reciever.... I've tried pulling on it with a 4wd 4-wheeler, beating with a sledge hammer, tons of rust eater... so i guess either way im gonna need a new hitch at least.
I guess I'm glad to hear that the problem with our Argosy 20' motorhome drawbar being stuck in the receiver is not uncommon .
I've tried beating it out with no success. I've also tried soaking it in PB Blaster for weeks and weeks with no success. Fortunately since the Arogsy doesn't even have a motor right now I guess I don't need to worry to much at this point!
I'm happy to report our 310 receiver and drawbar work just fine
I'll probably tried the heat trick next time I try and remove.
Brad
__________________ "Wherever you go... there you are." - Buckaroo Banzai
Air forums # 1674
1984 310 Limited Motorhome
1974 31' Excella 500 (future hauler for 2 Triumph race cars)
1974 20' Argosy Motorhome (future Excella 500 tow vehicle)
update... Ok we got a local shop (childhood friends of my girlfriends father) to strenghen our hitch: Added three bars: One going straigt down the middle welded at the receiver and bolted to the frame. Then welded one on each sides going at an angle from the back of receiver to sides of the chassis...will put pictures up soon. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!!! Guess sometimes you dont have to look far
While we are still working on cleaning and fixing up the interior of our 345...we did manage to get the hitch strenghtened and our beetle got its new tow plate.... we did not go the so called expensive way...instead we let the guys at our shop do their best,....amd they sure did...!!! here are the pics
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