| Tow Story II [message #260904] |
Thu, 04 September 2014 16:47  |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
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We were thinking we had our hitch all figured out until we took it to a welder who does motor home hitches. Our PO had welded a hitch to the rear frame sections of our coach with a ball mounted on a plate just behind the bumper. We wanted to replace the ball with a 2 inch receiver. We were told that the rear sections of the coach frame that extend back from the main side frame rails were not strong enough to support a hitch that we wanted to use to pull a vehicle. He also advised that the welds and supports on the current hitch were not very good either. OK, better to get this worked out now rather than after a wreck out on the road somewhere. So we took the coach to an even bigger well-known welding shop that welds hitches on motor homes for one of the area's largest motor home dealers. They basically told us the same thing and gave us a quote for a welded on hitch involving supports that would be welded to the main side frame rails on back to be incorporated to the cross frame that the rear bumper attaches to. This involved rerouting the exhaust pipe and a few other things. We are now are considering our options.
We are now considering removing the welded on hitch and going to the through-the-bumper hitch that many of you have and use and seemed to be quite satisfied with in hauling vehicles and other large and heavy trailers. However, the through-the-bumper hitches are supported and bolted to the same frame sections that these two welders indicated they didn't think were strong enough to support the type of hitch we'd like - one that we can haul a vehicle with. The capacities for the through-the-bumper hitch used by members of this forum are 15,000 GTW, and 1,000 TW. And it is bolted to the rear members of the coach's frame. Surely we can't go wrong with the through-the-bumper hitch. Can we assume that all the through-the-bumper hitches sold by forum member vendors are virtually the same?
As always, thanks for your comments.
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
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| Re: Tow Story II [message #260911 is a reply to message #260904] |
Thu, 04 September 2014 18:13  |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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mickey szilagyi wrote on Thu, 04 September 2014 17:47We were thinking we had our hitch all figured out until we took it to a welder who does motor home hitches. Our PO had welded a hitch to the rear frame sections of our coach with a ball mounted on a plate just behind the bumper. We wanted to replace the ball with a 2 inch receiver. We were told that the rear sections of the coach frame that extend back from the main side frame rails were not strong enough to support a hitch that we wanted to use to pull a vehicle. He also advised that the welds and supports on the current hitch were not very good either. OK, better to get this worked out now rather than after a wreck out on the road somewhere. So we took the coach to an even bigger well-known welding shop that welds hitches on motor homes for one of the area's largest motor home dealers. They basically told us the same thing and gave us a quote for a welded on hitch involving supports that would be welded to the main side frame rails on back to be incorporated to the cross frame that the rear bumper attaches to. This involved rerouting the exhaust pipe and a few other things. We are now are considering our options.
We are now considering removing the welded on hitch and going to the through-the-bumper hitch that many of you have and use and seemed to be quite satisfied with in hauling vehicles and other large and heavy trailers. However, the through-the-bumper hitches are supported and bolted to the same frame sections that these two welders indicated they didn't think were strong enough to support the type of hitch we'd like - one that we can haul a vehicle with. The capacities for the through-the-bumper hitch used by members of this forum are 15,000 GTW, and 1,000 TW. And it is bolted to the rear members of the coach's frame. Surely we can't go wrong with the through-the-bumper hitch. Can we assume that all the through-the-bumper hitches sold by forum member vendors are virtually the same?
As always, thanks for your comments.
Mickey,
I can tell you what the problem is...
These guys are used to looking at the truck and bus chassis is typical RV is built on. They have to be bigger because they can't be sure where it will end up.
Unfortunately, Blain Merrill may have given up making the good ones. That is the rumor that I heard.
If you would like a ball only hitch, you are welcome to the one leaning against my barn.
I am down next to DTW, but best let me know soon.
Matt- between tips
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tow Story II [message #260913 is a reply to message #260904] |
Thu, 04 September 2014 18:14 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Mickey,
It sounds to me as if your hitch vendors want to equip you coach for towing
much more than the basic vehicle is capable of handling.
While the special hitches designed and built for the GMC by Blaine Merrill,
Paul Bennett, and others are very nice and will handle as much as the rest
of the coach should have to, even they may be overkill.
For 16 years I've towed vehicles of 3500#-4000# with a very simple,
inexpensive ( We were thinking we had our hitch all figured out until we took it to a[/color]
> welder who does motor home hitches. Our PO had welded a hitch to the rear
> frame sections of our coach with a ball mounted on a plate just behind
> the bumper. We wanted to replace the ball with a 2 inch receiver. We were
> Told that the rear sections of the coach frame that extend back from the
> main side frame rails were not strong enough to support a hitch that we
> wanted to use to pull a vehicle. He also advised that the welds and
> supports on the current hitch were not very good either. OK, better to get
> this
> worked out now rather than after a wreck out on the road somewhere. So
> we took the coach to an even bigger well-known welding shop that welds
> hitches
> on motor homes for one of the area's largest motor home dealers. They
> basically told us the same thing and gave us a quote for a welded on hitch
> involving supports that would be welded to the main side frame rails on
> back to be incorporated to the cross frame that the rear bumper attaches
> to.
> This involved rerouting the exhaust pipe and a few other things. We are
> now are considering our options.
> ...
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: Tow Story II [message #260932 is a reply to message #260919] |
Thu, 04 September 2014 22:03 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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SteveW wrote on Thu, 04 September 2014 17:47Mickey -
I'm in exactly the same situation.
My 23 footer has a ball hitch - welded up pretty nicely by the previous owner.
But I'm interested in a reciever hitch for versatility...
I'm seriously considering one of the "through the bumper" bolt on hitches but I'd probably have to cut off the current installation. I'm gonna have a welder take a look at modifying it to become a receiver...
I'm kinda stuck with analysis paralysis.
Steve W
1973 23'
Southern California
I'm not a stickler for legalities but when it comes to hitches there are a few things you need to think about. Commercially sold hitches are required to have rating stickers or markings that identify tow rating, and tonque weight ratings (and more if they are also weight distributing hitches) I don't think the hitches you are buying are rated but I could be wrong. If you go to a professional hitch welder, they can and usually will certify a hitch based on their expertise--that's why they may insist on doing it their way. Most hitches have a 10% tongue weight rating based on the towing capacity, but the industry generally accepts 15% and newer hitches are marked accordingly. My hitch isn't rated and I converted it from a ball mount to a receiver type. I very rarely tow a vehicle and use it mostly for a cargo rack. I can tell you that if you tow a car and you have a hitch failure (even it if failed because of the accident--not the cause)you will be in deap doodoo.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Tow Story II [message #260946 is a reply to message #260904] |
Fri, 05 September 2014 00:47 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Call Blaine Merrell. When I was down there last, he still had a few of them from the last batch that he made. He will Fed-EX one out to you and you will have it in a couple of days.
http://www.bdub.net/blainemerrell/
It bolts on and goes through the bumper with a 2" receiver. I have had mine for years and carry up to 500 pound on it. I also have towed several trailers including a U-haul one. I have never towed a vehicle, but many GMCers do with this same hitch.
Why re-invent the wheel when it has already been done and proven to work.
Call Blaine.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Tow Story II [message #260959 is a reply to message #260904] |
Fri, 05 September 2014 07:55 |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Karma: 0
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I'd agree with Ken, why reinvent the wheel? Blaine's design is well thought out, easy to install, and very sturdy. If any are still available, it's the way to go.
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: Tow Story II [message #261006 is a reply to message #260904] |
Fri, 05 September 2014 15:56 |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Thanks everyone for your input on our hitch delema. The welded hitch is coming off and a new Merrell hitch is going on this fall.
We had another look at the rear of the coach and things are not aligned quite right. The center joint/seam where the two bumper halves meet doesn't seem to be in the center of the coach by about 3/4 inch or so. The right side of the bumper sticks out from the coach side a little further than the left side. So we're wondering if the receiver of the through-the-bumper hitch will be centered properly on that seam between the two bumper halves when we install it. In looking at all the photos on the forum every installation has the receiver correctly centered on that seam. Perhaps our bumper has been pushed somehow to the right and the supports to the rear cross beam have been bent. We don't think the rear frame sections have been bent as that would have affected the body of the coach as it's attached to the frame.
Has anyone run into this problem before.
Thanks as always.
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
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| Re: Tow Story II [message #261046 is a reply to message #260904] |
Sat, 06 September 2014 03:04 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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Senior Member |
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mickey szilagyi wrote on Thu, 04 September 2014 14:47
We are now considering removing the welded on hitch and going to the through-the-bumper hitch that many of you have and use and seemed to be quite satisfied with in hauling vehicles and other large and heavy trailers. However, the through-the-bumper hitches are supported and bolted to the same frame sections that these two welders indicated they didn't think were strong enough to support the type of hitch we'd like - one that we can haul a vehicle with. The capacities for the through-the-bumper hitch used by members of this forum are 15,000 GTW, and 1,000 TW. And it is bolted to the rear members of the coach's frame. Surely we can't go wrong with the through-the-bumper hitch. Can we assume that all the through-the-bumper hitches sold by forum member vendors are virtually the same?
As always, thanks for your comments.
Mickey,
I have done it both ways. First time I found myself in Las Vegas to pick up a car I bought. U-haul wouldn't hook the dolly to a hitch that sounds like yours. It took a half day to even find someone who would try. Got a 5000 lb receiver under the bumper for 10 cents a pound. It worked but was low.
Current coach had one like yours as well. I opted for the through the bumper, made for GMC. I got mine from JimK. If i remember it was cheaper than the under the bumper i had welded on. Other than the guy who put the ball on welded at the attach points for the new hitch, it is great. I used a side grinder and had a good time slapping at hot hunks going down my neck. Love the through the bumper. Fits like a glove. Doesn't hang down. No wiggle. Nothing has even tried to come loose. It is a great product. (cutting the hole in the bumper was interesting; the bumper was tougher than I thought it would be)
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tow Story II [message #261052 is a reply to message #261046] |
Sat, 06 September 2014 06:57 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Plasma cutter for the bumper. It will hem the edge of the chrome at the cut as well.
Todd Sullivan
Sully
77 royale
Seattle
> On Sep 6, 2014, at 4:04 AM, George Beckman wrote:
>
> mickey szilagyi wrote on Thu, 04 September 2014 14:47
>> We are now considering removing the welded on hitch and going to the through-the-bumper hitch that many of you have and use and seemed to be quite
>> satisfied with in hauling vehicles and other large and heavy trailers. However, the through-the-bumper hitches are supported and bolted to the same
>> frame sections that these two welders indicated they didn't think were strong enough to support the type of hitch we'd like - one that we can haul a
>> vehicle with. The capacities for the through-the-bumper hitch used by members of this forum are 15,000 GTW, and 1,000 TW. And it is bolted to the
>> rear members of the coach's frame. Surely we can't go wrong with the through-the-bumper hitch. Can we assume that all the through-the-bumper
>> hitches sold by forum member vendors are virtually the same?
>>
>> As always, thanks for your comments.
>
> Mickey,
>
> I have done it both ways. First time I found myself in Las Vegas to pick up a car I bought. U-haul wouldn't hook the dolly to a hitch that sounds like
> yours. It took a half day to even find someone who would try. Got a 5000 lb receiver under the bumper for 10 cents a pound. It worked but was low.
>
> Current coach had one like yours as well. I opted for the through the bumper, made for GMC. I got mine from JimK. If i remember it was cheaper than
> the under the bumper i had welded on. Other than the guy who put the ball on welded at the attach points for the new hitch, it is great. I used a side
> grinder and had a good time slapping at hot hunks going down my neck. Love the through the bumper. Fits like a glove. Doesn't hang down. No wiggle.
> Nothing has even tried to come loose. It is a great product. (cutting the hole in the bumper was interesting; the bumper was tougher than I thought it
> would be)
>
>
> --
> '74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
> Best Wishes,
> George
> _______________________________________________
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tow Story II [message #261074 is a reply to message #261052] |
Sat, 06 September 2014 13:34 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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You take a drill and drill 4 holes to radius the corners. Then a band saw will cut the straight lines to connect to the rounded corners. It took us less than 10 minutes to cut both of mine. I painted the edges of the new cut with some silver paint to retard any future rust.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Tow Story II [message #261772 is a reply to message #260904] |
Sat, 13 September 2014 15:08 |
Steve
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
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Steve W,
Do me a favor and measure or check the hole where the hitch pin goes in. I was surprised to find that mine was only 1/2 inch, while all of my other various heavy duty towing gear uses a 5/8 pin. Does anyone else have a 1/2 inch hole vs. 5/8? I had a hard time tracking down a 1/2 inch pin.
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tow Story II [message #261775 is a reply to message #261772] |
Sat, 13 September 2014 15:26 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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You can probably find pins that are 1/2" but come with a 1/16" thickness sleeve to provide 5/8" pinning.
Try Wally World or just about any auto parts place (NAPA, O'Reilly's, Advance, Autozone, etc.).
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
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> Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 14:08:52 -0600
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: sjadams@ptd.net
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Tow Story II
>
> Steve W,
> Do me a favor and measure or check the hole where the hitch pin goes in. I was surprised to find that mine was only 1/2 inch, while all of my other
> various heavy duty towing gear uses a 5/8 pin. Does anyone else have a 1/2 inch hole vs. 5/8? I had a hard time tracking down a 1/2 inch pin.
> --
> 1978 GMC Royal
> Eastern Pennslyvania
> 1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
> 1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
> 1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
> 1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
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| Re: [GMCnet] Tow Story II [message #261823 is a reply to message #261775] |
Sun, 14 September 2014 09:34 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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2" receivers use a 5/8" drawbar pin. 1-1/4" receivers use a 1/2" drawbar pin. Both are commonly available. If you have a 2" receiver with only a 1/2" hole then someone made it wrong.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Tow Story II [message #261848 is a reply to message #261772] |
Sun, 14 September 2014 12:42 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Steve Adams wrote on Sat, 13 September 2014 14:08Steve W,
Do me a favor and measure or check the hole where the hitch pin goes in. I was surprised to find that mine was only 1/2 inch, while all of my other various heavy duty towing gear uses a 5/8 pin. Does anyone else have a 1/2 inch hole vs. 5/8? I had a hard time tracking down a 1/2 inch pin.
That's a dubious sign. What's the hitch rating? Even if you use a 1/2 pin, what is the hole n the ball mount?
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Tow Story II [message #261890 is a reply to message #260904] |
Sun, 14 September 2014 19:25 |
Steve
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Ken & Bob,
Thanks for your response. Your thoughts were the same as mine. It just didn't seem right. I have four trailers with balls ranging from 1 7/8, 2.0, and 2 5/16. I have half a dozen or more ball mounts in different configurations that I use depending on the specific tow vehicle and all of them are 2 inch square with 5/8 draw bar pins.
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
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