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12-03-2012, 01:42 PM
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#1
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Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
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Hitch Vise
Anyone here using a Hitch Vise to stabilize a sloppy shank/ drawbar?
Looks like a great idea, but does it work? The slop on my Excursion is tremendous... between the oversized receiver, and the undersized Reese drop shank it wobbles around like crazy. I'm hoping this would tighten things up.
Hitch stabilizer: no wobble, anti rattle device for hitch accessories
No association
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12-03-2012, 01:51 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Mine also has bit of excess space, but I don't seem to notice it when hooked up and towing . The Andersen WD hitch really locks everything up very tight.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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12-03-2012, 02:26 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,026
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I use a similar one, a home build from a square-topped U-bolt with fine threads and a custom drilled piece of angle. I lock it by using two nuts on each side. It works fairly well, though the bolt tends to stretch some, requiring retightening once in a while. Perhaps the one being marketed is made with somewhat less plastic steel.
Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
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12-03-2012, 02:30 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,917
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I'll Let You Know...
...I just ordered one.
__________________
Ken L 2019 Flying Cloud 27FB
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 6.2L Max Tow Four Corners Unit WBCCI #5783
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12-03-2012, 02:36 PM
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#5
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65th Anniversary CLIPPER
1996 36' Clipper Bus
Tub City
, British Columbia
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3,309
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Pictures please...
Dave
Quote:
Originally Posted by eubank
I use a similar one, a home build from a square-topped U-bolt with fine threads and a custom drilled piece of angle. I lock it by using two nuts on each side. It works fairly well, though the bolt tends to stretch some, requiring retightening once in a while. Perhaps the one being marketed is made with somewhat less plastic steel.
Lynn
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12-03-2012, 02:37 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1959 17' Pacer
Long Beach
, California
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 920
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Quite the opposite
Finally something to be happy about with my hitch! Until now, I had been only displeased with my hitch due to the opposite problem-- Undersized receiver and improperly bevelled square tubes on hitches. I've had the same hitch in my receiver for 7 months now because it took a few whacks with a mallet to get it in, apparently during the best temperature, and infinite whacks with hammer, heating it up, etc couldn't remove it. I eventually used a cutoff wheel in a grinder and a reciprocating saw to cut it out without damaging the receiver. Now I'm in the process of finding one with the right bevel on the edge.
So I guess you can all be happy that you don't have this problem?
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12-03-2012, 02:53 PM
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#7
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Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
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Mine is due on the mail tomorrow. I hope it fits my huge Reese shank.
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12-03-2012, 03:31 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2015 28' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 623
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Atomic,
I was also considering that Hitch Vise. Please let us know how it works for you.
__________________
Safe Travels,
Joe & Joan Donnaway
Durango, CO
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12-03-2012, 04:15 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2010 28' Flying Cloud
Lower Alabama
, USA
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 658
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Interested here as well - please give us some feedback and photos.
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12-03-2012, 04:42 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2018 27' Flying Cloud
Panama City Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 612
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Hi, I've been using the hitch-vise for over four years. It works as advertised - I fully endorse it. Here's a link to my post a while back (along with Rock Tamers which I endorse also). I do have a few photos. Use the search function to find more posts on this subject. Russ
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f469...ers-44545.html
__________________
Russ and Linda
2018 Flying Cloud 27'
2012 F250 Powerstroke 6.7
AIR#24440 WBCCI#11740
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12-03-2012, 05:39 PM
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#11
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65th Anniversary CLIPPER
1996 36' Clipper Bus
Tub City
, British Columbia
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3,309
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Good pictures, thanks.
I will try to experiment with making one before I buy!!!
Dave
Quote:
Originally Posted by Luckyducks
Hi, I've been using the hitch-vise for over four years. It works as advertised - I fully endorse it. Here's a link to my post a while back (along with Rock Tamers which I endorse also). I do have a few photos. Use the search function to find more posts on this subject. Russ
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f469...ers-44545.html
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12-03-2012, 06:02 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1977 Argosy 24
Currently Looking...
Milltown
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,087
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A friend of mine made his own. He drilled a 1/2" hole in the top of the reciever, and welded a nut over the hole. Then he just ran a bolt into the nut and tightened it into the hitch shank. Cost.... Almost nothing.
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12-03-2012, 06:44 PM
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#13
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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up/down slop...
"He drilled a 1/2" hole in the top of the receiver.."
My concern also....all the "slop" is vertical when towing the boat. Without a lot of tongue weight, rig less is than 2500lbs, it gets a little nerve racking hearing the shank knocking up & down in the Reese Tow Beast V. (Using shims now that help a little)
How exactly does this thing clamp on the drawbar? Is there a shoulder that tightens against both sides?, nothing on top?
Bob
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12-04-2012, 12:35 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,369
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Hi, it seems to me that this would only help stop the rattling for those who choose to drive around with the hitch in the receiver without their trailer. Once your WD spring bars are in place you hitch is forced upward, thus no rattling. I don't have that problem; Hitch is removed when trailer is disconnected. [I don't have a boat either]
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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12-04-2012, 08:34 AM
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#15
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Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
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Hitch Vise Update
As promised, my new Hitch Vise arrived via the USPS this morning. It only took 2 days to arrive from California with priority shipping.
The HV came supplied in carded packaging. It took all of a minute to install.
My first impressions are very good, I like the heft of the metal, however I am going to swap harder nuts and bolts during my next hardware store run. Additionally, The cast parts come without any coating... I will also have these powder coated just to stay looking nice for a long time to come.
After installation all slop was gone. I have not towed anything yet, and I wont for a month. but I can see how any lateral movement will be controlled... up and down I'm not so sure about. Other than a little friction, there is nothing to stop the up and down play. I can surmise that once the trailer is on the ball and the WD is in place the drawbar will be naturally smashed upward in the receiver tube and it won't be a problem. For now the side to side stuff is gone! I'm a happy camper! Well worth the $30
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12-04-2012, 09:33 AM
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#16
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65th Anniversary CLIPPER
1996 36' Clipper Bus
Tub City
, British Columbia
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3,309
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If you have a non standard hitch, this product will not work on it.
Examples Of Non-Compatible Hitches
Hitch Rider Racks: Non-Compatible Hitches for Hitch-Vise
Dave
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12-04-2012, 10:01 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
1985 25' Sovereign
South Central Rockies...
, "...'Stream'n the Dream" thru the USA
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 535
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Definitely interested in learning how well your hitch vise eliminates the loose connection. Thanks for the info so far...
__________________
Art - W0ABX
High Desert Country of the Rockies
'85 Sovereign 25'er
WBCCI: 2197; AIR #: 36503; TAC #: NM-5
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12-04-2012, 11:25 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2013 25' Flying Cloud
Cat City
, California
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 854
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My receiver and stem also have more slop than I would like to see. There are some wear marks now on the stem which are about .025 deep. It seems to be moving both up and down and side to side.
It would appear to me, that receiver makers use off the shelf square tube stock, and hitch makers use off the shelf bar stock, and that the latter was not particularly designed to fit into the hollow of the former. "Close" is good enough seems to be the idea. It's not like they were a mated pair mechanically.
I am not sure of there is much consequence to this wear or not. Thanks for posting about this particular product. For me, I am not excited to add another wrenching process to my hitching, but it's interesting to know it is available.
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12-04-2012, 12:02 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1959 17' Pacer
Long Beach
, California
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 920
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Hmm... I feel like someone should sell a thin plastic sheet (.060" Lexan?) which could be wrapped around the bar before inserting into the receiver.
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12-04-2012, 12:48 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2010 28' Flying Cloud
Lower Alabama
, USA
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 658
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Atomic - thanks for the great photos. Very informative and I too will be getting a set of these. My hitch makes a pop from time to time when turning tight corners and this should eliminate that. Also will use it on a boat trailer as well.
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