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Old 12-03-2012, 01:42 PM   #1
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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

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Old 12-03-2012, 01:51 PM   #2
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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.
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Old 12-03-2012, 02:26 PM   #3
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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.

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Old 12-03-2012, 02:30 PM   #4
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I'll Let You Know...

...I just ordered one.
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Old 12-03-2012, 02:36 PM   #5
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Pictures please...

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Quote:
Originally Posted by eubank View Post
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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Old 12-03-2012, 02:37 PM   #6
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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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Old 12-03-2012, 02:53 PM   #7
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Mine is due on the mail tomorrow. I hope it fits my huge Reese shank.

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Old 12-03-2012, 03:31 PM   #8
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Atomic,
I was also considering that Hitch Vise. Please let us know how it works for you.
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Old 12-03-2012, 04:15 PM   #9
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Interested here as well - please give us some feedback and photos.
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Old 12-03-2012, 04:42 PM   #10
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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
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Old 12-03-2012, 05:39 PM   #11
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Good pictures, thanks.

I will try to experiment with making one before I buy!!!
Dave

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luckyducks View Post
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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Old 12-03-2012, 06:02 PM   #12
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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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Old 12-03-2012, 06:44 PM   #13
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Question 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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Old 12-04-2012, 12:35 AM   #14
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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]
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Old 12-04-2012, 08:34 AM   #15
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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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Old 12-04-2012, 09:33 AM   #16
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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

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Old 12-04-2012, 10:01 AM   #17
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Definitely interested in learning how well your hitch vise eliminates the loose connection. Thanks for the info so far...
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Old 12-04-2012, 11:25 AM   #18
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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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Old 12-04-2012, 12:02 PM   #19
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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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Old 12-04-2012, 12:48 PM   #20
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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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