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I was thinking, event though it's a bad habit to get into. It usually ends up with me spending money that I shouldnt on something my wife seems to think I didn't need.

 

Anyhow, this is something only kinda different from that.

 

 

Take a look at this trailer hitch:

 

comanche-hitch.jpg

 

A Draw-tite hitch, made for the Comanche, and a tad on the rare / expensive side.

 

 

Now take a look at this one:

 

reese-37042.jpg

 

A Reese model 37042 light truck / suv multi fit. One that several posters have mentioned having installed on thier trucks with sucess.

 

It's major advantage? it runs about $125 depending on where you live.

 

It's major drawback? It calls for drilling holes in your frame, which can be a nuisance. It also means you have to line everything up, hold it in place, and mark it all. Not to mention fishing bolts down the frame to the holes you drilled.

 

 

My idea?

 

See those side plates shaped like an "L" that bolt to the Reese hitch to adjust it's height and attach it to the frame?

 

Why not make a set of straight plates similar to the Draw-Tite hitch to use instead? We could actually make the Multi-fit Reese work just like the Draw-Tite.

 

 

My problem?

 

I don't have the measurements I would need from one of the Draw-Tite's to have a set of plates made.

 

 

My solution?

 

I am hoping one of you lucky folks that have a Draw-Tite hitch can get me some measurements. Hell, Ideally I would love it if someone could just take a piece of cardstock or paper and make a replica of the side plate, marking the holes and where the drawbar is centered. Mail to me I will get the side plates designed and post the results.

 

With any luck I might even be able to get one of the local machine shops to hang onto the pattern and make them on mail order.

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I don't have the Draw-Tite, but what I DO have is a pair of MJ mounting plates for a universal aftermarket step bumper. Shoot me a PM with your smail mail address and I can trace one out for you on heavy paper and you can use it as a template.

 

In fact, those bumper mounts are available from many of the on-line body parts places, cheap. It might work better/be easier just to buy a pair of those and whack off the ends that support the bumper.

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The problem I see with that universal hitch is that it doesn't have the center plate that bolts to the under side of the bumper step. I realize having it bolted to the bumper isn't what gives that hitch its strength. However it couldn't hurt plus I like the idea of it having the additional rigidity.

 

I would like somebody to make me a stencil of the mounting brackets/end plates of their MJ specific hitch. With that stencil I could have brackets/plates cut on a water jet cutting machine. (a family member operates a water jet at the shop he works at) With those brackets/plates, building the rest of a hitch would be a pc of cake.

 

So ..... does anybody have a MJ specific hitch who's capable of making a precise stencil of the mounting brackets/end plates? If so, I'll pay for materials (poster board) and whatever shipping/mailing cost are involved.

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We have a Draw-Tite MJ hitch on the shelf. We may be able to be of some help.
You may or you will be of some help? I'd like to think your saying you will otherwise just your saying you have one really doesn't do us much good.

 

So how bout it? Will make me/us a template of the brackets? With it would you include some measurements like the over all width of the hitch and exactly where the cross pc is welded to the brackets. (how far inward from the trailing edge and how far up from the bottom edge)

Keep in mind I'll be starting from scratch. I have no hitch to use for comparison. Any and all measurement including bolt hole sizes would be appreciated. Pictures of the hitch both mounted and unmounted would also be helpful.

 

Once I have a template and a few sets cut and checked for proper fit, I'll look into the cost of having more made for everybody.

 

Here's a pic of my D-ring modification and a few questions on measurements. (D-rings will be on both sides)

 

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Not sure who made my class 3 hitch (Valley?), but it has been on the truck since it was first sold. It has the top plate, but was never bolted to the bumper.

 

I can not see the very light weight bumper adding any strength to 2 inch square steel that the hitch is made from. Also don't trust the bumper mounting points to hold any real load.

 

I can get some measurements of the hitch on the truck. But I don't want to remove the hitch for fear of "loosing" the captive nuts in the frame rails. Can also put a set of calipers on each part of the hitch to record the thickness of the steel if you like. But not sure I can get good measurements of the bolt locations to the frame.

 

Also have a front mounted Draw-tite hitch on the truck to carry a Honda CT-90 trail bike at the same time I tow a camping trailer.

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Not sure who made my class 3 hitch (Valley?), but it has been on the truck since it was first sold. It has the top plate, but was never bolted to the bumper.

 

I can not see the very light weight bumper adding any strength to 2 inch square steel that the hitch is made from. Also don't trust the bumper mounting points to hold any real load.

 

I can get some measurements of the hitch on the truck. But I don't want to remove the hitch for fear of "loosing" the captive nuts in the frame rails. Can also put a set of calipers on each part of the hitch to record the thickness of the steel if you like. But not sure I can get good measurements of the bolt locations to the frame.

 

Also have a front mounted Draw-tite hitch on the truck to carry a Honda CT-90 trail bike at the same time I tow a camping trailer.

Thank you for offering to help. But since yours is installed on your truck it would be hard for you to make a precise tracing of the brackets and their bolt holes.

What I need is for somebody to stand one on its end and do a precise tracing of the mounting bracket (both if their different) including the bolt hole locations.

 

I need to stay with one manufacturer. Mixing makes, models and measurements is asking for trouble and miss matched pcs. Motion Offroad said his is a Draw-Tite and its sitting on a shelf. His, I presume to be new and not being mounted on a truck would make tracing the brackets and making a template a lot easier and muck more precise.

 

If somebody comes up with an uninstalled Valley to make a temple with your help will be greatly appreciated. If not I'm gonna have to stick with Motions Draw-Tite.

 

Thanks again.

Robert

 

Oh, and I agree about not counting on the bumper to give the hitch more strength or rigidity. In fact, quite the opposite. By bolting them together I'm counting on the hitch to give the bumper more.

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OK, here's where we are so far. fiatslug87 (Mike) offered to do a tracing of his Draw-Tite. He said he's got it done and will send it to me today. I haven't heard from Motion on getting a tracing/template from him. I hope to get one from him and the one Mike is sending. Having both would allow for discrepancies in either one to be corrected prior to water jetting.

 

Where ya at Motion? Can I count on getting a tracing/template and some of those additional measurements from you?

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I'll do some checking to find out if I saved the auto cad drawings for my rear bumper mounts...they could easily be modified to drop down further, considering all of the bolt holes are in the proper position.

 

That would be awesome.

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Subscribing to this thread. I like the direction it is going.
We've been here several times before but nothing has ever made its way onto our trucks. I'm gonna try make something happen this time. All I'm asking is for a little help from those of you who own a Draw-Tite hitch. Without yalls help, this project will get swept under the rug again just like its has in the past.

 

Other than the tracings/templates, I'm gonna need the measurements I ask for. (see pre pic) or .... here it is again; Look at the end of the cross bar where its welded to the bracket. Now measure how far back the cross bar is from the trailing edge of the bracket. (between the two red lines) Take the same measurement from the bottom of the cross bar to the bottom edge of the bracket. Now, is the face of the cross bar parallel with the trailing edge of the bracket? If their not, I'm gonna make um so they are. (assuming clearance isn't an issue) Everything on these brackets will be parallel and/or square in relation to each other making it easy enough for a caveman to build this hitch. One more for now. How many are there and how thick are those frame spacers? (the ones the bolts go through between the bracket and the frame)

 

 

Thanks for the help everybody.

 

Oh, knowing no two things are exactly alike, (especially drawings or in this case tracings) I'd still like to have more than one template to compare against each other and make modifications if needed. One is on its way. 3 should be plenty. Keeping with one manufacturer ..... Draw-Tite only please.

 

==============================================================================================

 

EDIT ...... Her's the latest word from Draw-Tite

 

Robert,

Here is an installation instruction sheet for the Comanche. We cannot send out an actual drawing of the hitch or its frame brackets, but I hope this helps you in your fabrication.

 

Thank you.

 

file:///C:/DOCUME~1/COMPAQ~1.YOU/LOCALS~1/Temp/N75021-3.pdf

 

(I couldn't figure out how to make it a direct link so if you wanna see it you'll have to copy and paste it into you browser)

 

There is some useful info on it. Like how many and how thick the frame spacers are. The side view helps a little as well. It leads me to believe everything is square in relation to each other. That in itself is a big help.

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why D-rings? why not use the hitch for extraction? those ring loops will hang down and drag on the ground. and I'm not entirely crazy about their distance from the bolts. that's quite a bit of rotational force on the little hitch/bumper bolts.

 

 

I integrated a bit more beef into my bumper brackets by extending the beam and adding a 5/8" bolt through the frame (bolt not installed yet in the photo). I figure if I was going to design my own, I could make it better than stock. :D

 

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