What thickness metal?

[partsman]

I want to make a hitch to bolt to my bumper, strictly for a utility trailer.
I have a fifth wheel so have a hitch in the box for towing it.
But I have two manilfolded propane tanks right under the back of the truck, so can not use a standard receiver hitch, so figured weld something up to fit the back of the bumper.
Any ideas what thickness metal to use?
I have the proper two inch square tube for the receiver part so now need to weld it to something for mounting.
Any ideas, or drawings to share?

[MicroZone]

Post a pic of what you plan to do and post information on the bumper load rating. Also how heavy is the trailer? You need to make sure one will support the other - first. If you hang a hitch on a bumper not rated for the load, you'll pull your bumper off.

[partsman]

Here I hope is a picture showing bumper and tanks in the way.

[jknight8907]

Why not use the ball in your bumper? Anything you weld is only as strong as it's weakest link, so you won't gain any strength if you weld to the bumper.

[David R]

Here is a bumper I built. 6" channel, 3/8 plate.

David

[Sandy]

Originally Posted by partsman

Here I hope is a picture showing bumper and tanks in the way.

Those are kinda iffy. Plenty strong enough off the ball that's there for light to moderate and normal road conditions. I actually rolled one down towing a 16 foot camp trailer in the hills. Then you get to see just how little is really there. They use a nice silicon bead to cover up the few tacks that are there.

For just a utility trailer I'd plate that bottom where the ball is bolted using plug welds or bolts and extend some struts from the plate to the bumper bolt on brackets. Weld your receiver tube to your plate your going to add. Put a reinforcing strap across the bottom of that from side to side. Put your chain hook holes in that strap.

One quarter inch plate will be plenty since it's all going to be tied together as one.

[zapster]

Stock ford bumper from forever..
No worries..

W had a '74 F-100 with a transplanted 309 GT motor and a C-6 tranny that pulled a Super Gas Mustang (see sig) Around the east coast for 10 years with the same bumper and ball set-up with no problems whatsoever..
We just added 2 braces from the inside near the ball to the frame on each side..
No biggie..

Probably around 4000 lbs with the car and trailer and tools...

You will be just fine with that..


...zap!

[partsman]

The reason I can't use the bumper ball is that my trailer is no more than 9" off the ground and the bumper is at least 21" high, so I need to make a drop type hitch.

[tresi]

They make receiver hitches that will bolt to that kind of bumper. You might have to drill some holes.

[cricman]

You could fab a drop step out of 1/4 or 5/16 plate, that you could weld or bolt to the bottom of your bumper. Just don't extend the center of the new lowered ball too far, so you don't add more stress to the bumper mounts. Plus, take the bumper off, if you weld it



cricman

[Hammack_Welding]

They make a bolt on reciever tube that will bolt to the underside of the flat plate on your bumper. Then all ya need is a drop receiver insert, and you will be good to go. Just remember when welding on hitches that if it breaks or comes loose YOU are liable for whatever happens so make sure its done right. One more option is rather than changing your hitch you could modify the tongue on the trailer and add some height to it? ~Jackson

[partsman]

This is the trailer, and others borrow it for atv's, so would not be good to change it as they are set up for it as it is now.

[c4cruiser]

Originally Posted by Hammack_Welding

They make a bolt on reciever tube that will bolt to the underside of the flat plate on your bumper. Then all ya need is a drop receiver insert, and you will be good to go. Just remember when welding on hitches that if it breaks or comes loose YOU are liable for whatever happens so make sure its done right. One more option is rather than changing your hitch you could modify the tongue on the trailer and add some height to it? ~Jackson

I agree with a bolt-on 2" square receiver tube. You should be able to find receiver tubes in a variety of lengths at any trailer place or RV sales place. Receivers for Class IV and V hitches are available for a 10" drop or you can even gat one of the adjustable receiver versions.

I would also inspect the bumper mounting brackets, the plate on the bottom of the bumper, and nuts and bolts. Check for rust/cracks/ or damage and make any repairs and repaint the bumper with a good rust resistant paint. It might be worth removing the bumper and fabricating larger and thicker mounting brackets. I would also replace the attaching bolts with Grade 8 SAE or Metric 10.9 stuff. Your bumper should be good for towing 2000-2500 lbs or so.

With the extended drop of the receiver there will be more stress placed on the bumper and the receiver so limit towing weights to what you mentioned as the intended use.

[jcbowl813]

years ago i found a piece that boltedto that style bumper under neath that i towed a pop up camper with it bolted to the two other holes and the plate was either 1/4 or 3/8 i can not remember but theguy after me was caught towing a small stolen backhoe with that piece