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Topic: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch (Read 829 times) previous topic - next topic
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No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
I’m trying to find a shop that will do some hitch work (rust repair and perhaps a replacement hitch) but the places I’ve tried all say they won’t work on a SCAB frame like LD.  LDs are scab frames because LD doesn’t extend the truck frame all the way to the back of the MH an instead uses steel beams down the middle (basically what supports the last 6 feet of the MH).  I called LD and they referred me to Arrow Trailer and they ALSO told me they won’t work on LDs for this reason.

I’ve read through the forums and can’t find a good shop referral…anyone know of a place?
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #1 –
Your post raised a very concerning issue for me. I've been on the list close to two years, so I figure I'm getting close. If I can't modify the hitch to handle my Jeep Wrangler (I'd like an 8K hitch), then I'll have to cross the LD off my list; I really hate to do this, but not being able to tow my Jeep safely will eliminate the LD.

I find it hard to believe the hitch can't be modified. I upgraded the hitch on my Phoenix Cruiser to an 8K hitch, but it was a bolt on, replaced the 5K hitch it came with. I'll keep an eye for responses to you question.
Have an awesome day!
Dan - on list for a 31' IB White/Sliver
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #2 –
Downgrader,
If you search WhiteElk's post about getting his frame and hitch beefed up, he named a shop that will do the work in the Pomona, CA area.  I called them about a year ago and they still do that work. They charge about $1000.

However, I have now towed either an enclosed motorcycle trailer or my Jeep Wrangler about 25,000 miles and the hitch on my Lazy Daze has been trouble free.  I was concerned that it looked wimpy when I started towing, but it has worked just fine.  I no longer feel any need to beef up the hitch, other than replacing the bolts with grade 8 bolts and fabricating and installing reinforcing plates to strengthen the nuts and washers against the frame. Larry Wade has a post about this.

The existing trailer hitch is fine for hauling a Jeep.
Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #3 –
Far as I know, the LD frame extension is what you will find on all class-c motorhomes. You will need to look for a class-a if that design is a problem.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #4 –
Riverside Hitch
7304 Indiana Ave.
Suite 4
Riverside, CA
951-785-9353

Upgraded my hitch to pull 8,000 lbs. Drama free! :-)
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #5 –
We got ours replaced 2 weeks ago at Ballew’s in Tacoma, WA. Highly recommend the shop. Kevin the owner did the work and did a phenomenal job. New hitch is attached to the frame, not just the bumper.

Sasha 
2005 Mid Bath
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #6 –
With minor upgrades in the bumper and hitch hardware, our LD has pulled Jeeps for over 100,000 miles with no issues since the upgrades over 60,000 miles. Search for the details or find them in the “Larry Wade Projects”

Now towing the Jeep through Utah.
Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #7 –
When requesting suggestions or recommendations for services, indicating the location(s) where the service is needed helps forum readers to offer useful information.  ;)
2003 TK has a new home
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #8 –
While not exactly in your back yard, Mike's Precision Welding in Temecula had no problem doubling up the steel connecting the OEM frame to the rear bumper on my LD.   In my case the main reason was to add two receivers for a motorcycle rack, but I'm sure
 I could safely tow more weight as well since I'm well under the GCWR.

A short drive seeing that Yamaha flopping from side to side in the backup camera persuaded me to get this done sooner rather than later.

Redirecting...

Steve
2015 TK
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Steve TK  - 
While not exactly in your back yard, Mike's Precision Welding in Temecula had no problem doubling up the steel connecting the OEM frame to the rear bumper on my LD.   In my case the main reason was to add two receivers for a motorcycle rack, but I'm sure
 I could safely tow more weight as well since I'm well under the GCWR.

A short drive seeing that Yamaha flopping from side to side in the backup camera persuaded me to get this done sooner rather than later.

Redirecting...

Steve

I recently relocated to SoCal :-). Looks like mike’s is about 30 min away.  Question:  Did he fortify your frame AND add a hitch or just the fortification?
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #11 –
Howard,

He actually did both.  

I supplied an off-the-shelf moto carrier.  Mike extended the frame rails to the bumper, added the two receivers, and modified the carrier to slide into the new receivers. 

The original center receiver is unused unless I remove the carrier for towing the CRV.   It's probably overkill for my sub-300 pound TW200  but I'm alright with that.

Steve
2015 TK
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #12 –
Steve, I loved my TW200.  It is one of the most endearing motorcycles in existence and will go virtually anywhere you have to foolishness to take it.  I still see mine buzzing around town. Have fun with yours.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #13 –
Great input from all of you that responded about upgrading the hitch capacity, I'm in southern CA about 15 miles from LD, so it looks like I have several options once I get my LD.

I hope to get the call in the next 6 months, that will put me over two years. I know manufacturing of everything has been turned on it head, so I'll be lucky to get a call in 6 months.

I'm just hoping the next price increase doesn't put me out of the market for the LD, I have to believe one is coming due to every supplier have trouble getting products shipped and/or the vendors have to raise their prices to LD.
Have an awesome day!
Dan - on list for a 31' IB White/Sliver
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #14 –
Quote from: Steve TK  - 
Howard,

He actually did both.  

I supplied an off-the-shelf moto carrier.  Mike extended the frame rails to the bumper, added the two receivers, and modified the carrier to slide into the new receivers. 

The original center receiver is unused unless I remove the carrier for towing the CRV.   It's probably overkill for my sub-300 pound TW200  but I'm alright with that.

Steve

Mind divulging what you paid for the frame rail extension and adding receivers?
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #15 –
I got mine redone while in Seattle. they had no issues doing any work on it. added a "subframe" and a new hitch to my 23.5 '95 LD:

Torklift Central
Google Maps
1995 23.5 Rear Lounge
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #16 –
Howard,

A lot.  Like several hundred IIRC.

Steve
2015 TK
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #17 –
mine came out to $1,771.13 including all the parts and labor
1995 23.5 Rear Lounge
 
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #18 –
Every few months someone posts about "beefing up their hitch". I wonder where they get the idea the LD hitch is not adequate? Has one failed? [After doing what Larry Wade has suggested for years] 

Like many folks on here, I have towed a 4,600 pound Jeep over 130,000 miles. The frame has not flexed.

The issue is not about the hitch but stressing the drive train beyond Ford's specs. Those towing a 4,000 toad with a 31 foot LD are already maxed out. Keep $5m handy for a new transmission.

This topic has been discussed in The Companion for almost a decade.

PS - Jeeps are not generic. There are vast differences in weight between the models, not to mention mods the owners have made.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #19 –
Quote from: Don Malpas  - 
Every few months someone posts about "beefing up their hitch". I wonder where they get the idea the LD hitch is not adequate? Has one failed? [After doing what Larry Wade has suggested for years]
The issue is not about the hitch but stressing the drive train beyond Ford's specs. Those towing a 4,000 toad with a 31 foot LD are already maxed out. Keep $5m handy for a new transmission.


Most owners do not realize how much strength the connection to rear wall adds, as long as the wall remains rot free.
Transmissions wear much faster towing Jeeps, our needed rebuilding at 100,000 miles.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #20 –
Personally I font think i would have beefed up the hitch if i used it for towing. Even though it's a '95 and doesn't really have a proper receiver, just a ball hitch tongue (which previous owners added a funky receiver adapter).

The reason I beefed it up was because I wanted to "tow" a moped on the back, and that's a lot more weight on the hitch than it could handle. Based on the manual, it only handles 300lbs. Bike is already about 280, plus the rack would get it fairly close to the limit.

Another thing to note is that hitches trainings are usually on the end of the receiver or tongue in this case. For a moped, the rack extends out a bit from the receiver adapter, so it's already cutting on the amount it can officially handle.

Now I have a proper hitch receiver that handles 500lbs of dead wright on it officially so I'm not too worries about taking the moped anywhere. That's the main thing I paid for.
1995 23.5 Rear Lounge
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #21 –
The added benefit of my rear being beefed up is I didn't need to worry about the frame twisting when I removed the rear rotted wall.  The hardest part was the bumper was welded to the frame when the extensions were welded on to prevent twisting.  Cutting those welds were a pain.
1997 TK
Resolution
Reply #22 –
I guess the issue I had is that the existing hitch had quite a bit of rust and fortunately the frame was just surface rush.  Mike’s Precision Welding in Temecula is taking on the project and they’re going to remove the hitch, clean up the rush and powder coat to make it good as new.
Re: No Shop Will Touch the LD Hitch
Reply #23 –
Hi Don.

In my case, the TK is running at approximately 13,000 and my GCWR is 20,000, thus plenty of margin from the Ford spec.  But the OEM frame rails are 6" channel and the added extensions from Lazy Daze were only 3",  which has now been doubled up to match the frame.

Plus, the extra steel also reinforces the bumper where the added receivers mate with my motorcycle carrier.  That moto-moshing with the single receiver on the back of my LD was not a pretty sight.

Steve
2015 TK