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Tow bar hitch specs?

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Ghetto Fab., Jul 1, 2005.

  1. Jul 1, 2005
    Ghetto Fab.

    Ghetto Fab. Member

    Atascadero, Ca.
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
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    512
    Ok, so I'm still lookin for a truck, but I thought I might take a little time this weekend and work on a towbar setup. Only problem is I am in need of a 'tongue' and have no idea what size or capacity I need. I think my jeep weighs in at under or near 4000lbs. So would a 5000lbs hitch setup work fine? What size balls do your tow bar setups use? :rofl:

    Was thinking of making it about 4' long subscribing to the longer is better theory. I am thinking 1.5x1.5 box tubing .120 wall should suffice. Of course it will be fully gusseted and braced with typical Ghetto Fab quality. :D

    Kevo
     
  2. Jul 1, 2005
    53Flattie

    53Flattie Intigator

    Easley, SC
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
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    844
    The tow bar that I use was made by Bulletproof Mfg., who I think go waaaay overkill on their products. (Guess you have to do that when you have a "you break it and we'll replace it" warranty)

    That being said - it uses a 1 7/8" hitch ball, and the center piece is 3" square tubing. You can barely see it in the picture. Below that is the picture they use on their website (http://www.bulletproofmfg.com/)

    I think it's too short. I like you idea of making it about 4'... Per Boyink's advice (who's flattowed way more than me) - the longer the tow bar, the better the Jeep will tow.
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2008
  3. Jul 1, 2005
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,513
    as mentioned above, the longer the bar the better
    you won't have any tongue wieght so to speak, just the dead weight of the pull.
    I use a Smittybilt tow bar; it accepts a 2" ball.
    resist the urge to just use a longer slide in ball mount or hitch to lengthen the assembly. You will end up with the tail waqgging the dog :shock:
    lengthen the tow bar only
     
  4. Jul 1, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
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    6,193
    And cushioned drawbars (that have a little play bookended with poly bushings) are a good thing....
     
  5. Jul 1, 2005
    Ghetto Fab.

    Ghetto Fab. Member

    Atascadero, Ca.
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
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    512
    Well I didn't get out to get material for this project today. Work was a dusy! :rofl: Our service writer likes to pile all the work up on fridays.

    The good news is I have a truck to go check out tomorrow. We will see how that works out. Maybe after that I'll go look at hitch equipment if I can find any locally.

    So a 5K capacity setup seems ok? I really doubt the shock loads on that setup would be that high. It mostly just needs to get it rolling and then be able to slow it down.

    Have a good weekend everybody! And keep it safe!!!

    Kevo
     
  6. Jul 2, 2005
    rocnrol

    rocnrol Member

    calgary alberta,...
    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2004
    Messages:
    170
    here are some pics of mine. its long as well and the jeep tracks awsome. it uses a 2" ball.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    these are shots of how it goes on to the bummper.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Jul 8, 2005
    Goose

    Goose New Member

    Vacaville,...
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
    Messages:
    30
    Sup Kevo, I didn't know you surfed here.
    You remember mine? Its made of 1.5x.120 tube. I bought the hitch from the auto parts store and it uses a 2" ball. I'll have to measure it but I think it is about 3 feet long, if not shorter. It tows just fine as far as length, but you know what happens when you try and back it up the driveway. Like said before there is no tonge weight so all it does is pull.
    So what kind of truck are you looking at? Are you going to join the Dodge club like the rest of us Goats?

    Chris
     
  8. Jul 9, 2005
    Ghetto Fab.

    Ghetto Fab. Member

    Atascadero, Ca.
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
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    Heck no! I have to be different! Well at least thats not hard for me to do! R)

    Go look in the off topic section, something about jeep accessories!

    Gonna whip something up this weekend. Stay tuned for pics!

    Kevo
     
  9. Jul 9, 2005
    Ghetto Fab.

    Ghetto Fab. Member

    Atascadero, Ca.
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
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    Ok, found a truck and started on the tow bar today. Its made out of 1.5" .120 wall square tube and some 1/4" plate. It feels super strong. Probably way overkill for the heep, but thats ok.

    Started by making the bar that ties into the mounts.
    [​IMG]

    Next I drew out the basic design on the shop floor. Its flat and no one will care if I mark it up using some soapstone. This drawing on the floor allows me to get the individual parts to the right size and helps to make sure everything is as square as possible.
    [​IMG]

    Next I cut out the remaining tube pieces, fit them to each other and weld her up.
    [​IMG]

    After that I welded on some gussets and ran out of steam. I did do a trial fit to see what it would look like. I need to add some more gussets.
    [​IMG]

    Will finish it up and paint it tommorrow.

    Enjoy!
    Kevo
     
  10. Jul 10, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
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    Looks good!


    I like the "scene of the crime" approach to laying it out...;)
     
  11. Jul 10, 2005
    jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    Nacogdoches,Texas
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2004
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    1,745
    looks good
     
  12. Jul 11, 2005
    Ghetto Fab.

    Ghetto Fab. Member

    Atascadero, Ca.
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
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    512
    Got it finished up today. Welded on the last of the gussets.
    [​IMG]

    Welded some more around the jeep mounts.
    [​IMG]

    Lastly I painted it and mounted some pipe clamps and hooks. The hooks are to keep the chains orgainized and off the road. I hate it when I see people dragging there safety chains. The pipe clamps are for the electrical harness to run the lights. The chevy is allready wired for lights at the trailer connector, YIPPE! :D
    [​IMG]

    So all I need to do is wire a plug into the front of the jeep and make a harness, then figure out the safety chain issue. I need two chains correct or will one do?

    Anyhow I dig my new truck see you later!!!! :rofl:

    Kevo
     
  13. Jul 11, 2005
    Ghetto Fab.

    Ghetto Fab. Member

    Atascadero, Ca.
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    512
    Oh, I had another idea in the shower today. Since I can forsee a time when I might have to hook this thing up alone I thought it might be a good idea to have some assistance with lining up the towbar and hitch on the truck. I figured I could use the safety chain around my front hoop on the bumper and on one of the hooks to hold the tow bar up high enough to clear the hitch. Then if I had a mount on the front of the tow bar I could stick a 3' wooden dowl in it and I could see from the drivers seat of the jeep how close the front of the towbar was and if it was centered. I bet with a little practice I could get it relatively close on the first try.

    Any thoughts?

    Kevo
     
  14. Jul 11, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Not sure how heavy your Jeep is, I never had a problem getting things connected alone just by driving the Jeep up, getting it "close enough", the hopping out and pulling the Jeep to the tow vehicle (assuming a flat/level parking lot). Sometimes had to push it back and adjust the steering a bit, but never a big deal.

    I really recommend a set of safety cables over the chains. Lighter, self coiling, and plain easier to deal with than chains.
     
  15. Jul 11, 2005
    Ghetto Fab.

    Ghetto Fab. Member

    Atascadero, Ca.
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    Looked for cables and couldn't find anything localy that was over 4ft and since I need it for this weekend chains will have to do.

    Got a drawbar, but it doesn't mount the ball high enough so I'll have to return it for another. Jeep mounts are at 30" off the ground and the ball was only 24".

    Did get my wiring connectors. The good news is the truck ends just plug together, the bad news is I need to wire and mount the jeep ends.

    Sigh, I'll have to drive the old jeep in tommorrow instead of the new truck. :(

    Kevo
     
  16. Jul 12, 2005
    Goose

    Goose New Member

    Vacaville,...
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    I have always been a fan of chains, and I have always been taught to cross the chains under the towbar. That way, they will catch the bar and it will not dig into the ground causing the jeep, or trailer in some cases, to jump out of control on the road and yank your truck around with the chains.

    Goose
     
  17. Jul 12, 2005
    Ghetto Fab.

    Ghetto Fab. Member

    Atascadero, Ca.
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    I had heard that too. How did you wire your lights Goose?

    Going to fordyce?

    Kevo
     
  18. Jul 12, 2005
    spud

    spud Nope..it's not finished!

    Augusta Co. Virginia
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    Kevo, nice welding job. You won't be sorry for going long on your towbar. Just make sure you've got plenty of brakes on the tow vehicle!!!
     
  19. Jul 12, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    FWIW -

    Easiest way to wire lights is to extend the wire loop running back to the Jeep tailights. On Dutch I had them coming up to the front shock mount.

    Cut the wires and put in a male/female trailer connection. When not towing this is connected and all is normal.

    To tow - unplug, and hook up wires from the tow vehicle to the section of wire running back to the lights.

    The other method is to "splice in" to the Jeep harness, and then you need to put in some diodes to prevent backfeeding the rest of the Jeep electrical with the tow vehicle power. The advantage with this approach is you can just mount a plug in the bumper or grill.
     
  20. Jul 12, 2005
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    TIP: if you don't want to install diodes, you can simply unplug one of the wires/plug going to either front turn signal/park lamp at the lamp OR at the wires at the bottom of the turn signal switch of the towed vehicle. This prevents feedback thru the t/s switch also.
    hth
     
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