Hitch holder on Frame

[hshovic]

Ha!

I tried the idea shown in the summer issue of Airstream Life from Carlos Leach.

Modiified it a bit, so it locks with my hitch pin lock, and is tucked back under
the frame. The local welding shop did it for $52.56. They used 3" OD tube
(I have a 2.5" hitch), and had to grind the seam a bit.

Works great, no more banged (or greasy) shins, and it is more secure...

[adore]

Originally Posted by hshovic

Ha!

I tried the idea shown in the summer issue of Airstream Life from Carlos Leach.
Modiified it a bit, so it locks with my hitch pin lock, and is tucked back under
the frame. The local welding shop did it for $52.56. They used 3" OD tube
(I have a 2.5" hitch), and had to grind the seam a bit.
Works great, no more banged (or greasy) shins, and it is more secure...

What about using the same for a support for a small BBQ? With a special fitting on the propane thank, I could connect it directly and would eliminate the need for transporting another 20-lb tank of propane... Any thoughts?
André

[azflycaster]

I would rather not cook that close to my trailer. With the rock guard up and the front window open it could turn into a mess in a hurry. If you want to tap into the propane system you could install a T and a quick disconnect with a longer hose.

[Silvertwinkie]

Looks neat.

When I get to my destination, I simply unhook, remove the hitch from the truck, put the ball into the trailer, drop the latch, lock it, and put my draw bar lock in. True I have to walk around it and my Enkay's which are attached, but it's been a good working solution for me for about 5 years now. Best of all it is free, with no additional modification needed.

I too would be concerned with a grill that close to the front of the trailer. I agree that a "T" fitting and a hose would be a better option for grilling.

[ScottW]

Way too much trouble for me. I unhook and move the truck forward enough to leave a small walkway, cover the two greasy hitch balls with brightly colored tennis balls. No problems!

[TBRich]

Originally Posted by hshovic

...<snip>....

Modiified it a bit, so it locks with my hitch pin lock, and is tucked back under
the frame. The local welding shop did it for $52.56. They used 3" OD tube
(I have a 2.5" hitch), and had to grind the seam a bit.

Works great, no more banged (or greasy) shins, and it is more secure...

I like it! Great way to store the hitch... We (well, Greg, actually) designed a hitch cover for our Equal-i-zer hitch so it's covered and doesn't collect dust when we drive around after unhitching the Bambi...also keeps the grease where it belongs... It's made of black vinyl inside and out so it's easy to clean.

[Journalist]

It would be easy to use one of those receiver hitches designed to bolt into the holes on a pickup truck step bumper for the same thing. I've always thought those things should be illegal to build, but it's perfect for that purpose. Just drill a couple of holes in the bottom of the frame, and bolt it up. You could easily tack weld the bolt threads for theft prevention.

[hshovic]

Some great ideas out there! I saw many of Silvertwinkie's solutions at the Byam rally.
Most did not lock their hitches, so it looks easy for anyone to hook it up and leave (whether the owner or not)... But then it is fairly secure there.

I also like the vinyl cover idea. But sewing is outside of my decision space.

However, I wanted it out of the way (in the unused triangular space by the frame), and aesthetically pleasing (to me). I wander around the trailer a lot in the 0darkthirty hours, so didn't want to run into it. And I didn't want to drag the hitch around towns..

On the grill idea, my solution was,

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f45/...tml#post455801

[FreshAir]

Originally Posted by ScottW

Way too much trouble for me. I unhook and move the truck forward enough to leave a small walkway, cover the two greasy hitch balls with brightly colored tennis balls. No problems!

As long as the bright tennis balls catch people's attention when they walk around behind your truck. Those hitches can really dent up shins. A bright orange cone would be better if you must leave the hitch.
Neil.

[Cracker]

I thought proper etiquette for storing the hitch was to remove it from the TV and re-attach it to (---i.e. - "hang it from") the trailer coupling, folding it back against the tongue??? I realize that this doesn't work for some of the more involved assemblies - but it works just fine for the typical equalizer assembly.

[kamadeca]

I am following this thread with some interest, as I am tired of carrying my hitch head back and forth!

My questions - is there a problem with having the hitch head "hang" from the trailer coupler? Does this cause excess strain on the coupler?

thanks as always

[ScottW]

Proper etiquette for storing the hitch??? I'm sorry but I can't help but chuckle at that notion. I'll reserve the remainder of my comments .

[BigAl]

With a Hensley the stinger is about a foot long.
I take it out,put in heavy duty plastic bag and store in rear trailer compartment(under queen bed) so it can't tempt someone into becoming a thief.
Al

[Cracker]

Originally Posted by ScottW

Proper etiquette for storing the hitch??? I'm sorry but I can't help but chuckle at that notion. I'll reserve the remainder of my comments .

"Etiquette" was perhaps a poor choice of words for those who don't understand why the procedure was adopted - and it was intended as a somewhat "tongue in cheek" comment. Simply enough, in a crowded campground that you might encounter in a rally situation there were probably more than enough banged up legs to suggest that everyone should adhere to a given procedure to minimize the anguish. In that situation, brightly colored tennis balls probably wouldn't be effective. Pick your own choice of words!

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Cracker

. In that situation, brightly colored tennis balls probably wouldn't be effective. Pick your own choice of words!

I have walked under the back of pickup trucks with WD ball mounts hanging from them. Knocked myself unconscious once, and have several knots on my head from them over the years. And my choice of words when this happens would probably melt your monitor...

[hshovic]

Another great advantage is that the hitch now sits at the trailer in the barn. So when I go get it, the hitch is right there instead of in my garage. Also, no more lifting. It is at the right height so that my elderly self can just transfer it without working against gravity. It does not serve coffee, however. And I didn't think about etiquette, but bring it on.