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Topic: Question About "Beefing Up The Hitch" (Read 301 times) previous topic - next topic
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Question About "Beefing Up The Hitch"
I am working on updating Towing and Toads in The Companion.
The Lazy Daze Companion: Towing and Toads

If you have anything you feel needs to be included, PM me.

I need to know:
I want to know exactly what is meant by beefing up the hitch. I mean the mechanical part.
Is there more than one way to do it? If so, is there a real difference in outcome.
How does someone locate a firm that will do it?
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Question About "Beefing Up The Hitch"
Reply #1 –
Quote from: Don Malpas  - 
I am working on updating Towing and Toads in The Companion.
The Lazy Daze Companion: Towing and Toads

If you have anything you feel needs to be included, PM me.

I need to know:
I want to know exactly what is meant by beefing up the hitch. I mean the mechanical part.
Is there more than one way to do it? If so, is there a real difference in outcome.
How does someone locate a firm that will do it?
Don, thanks again to you and Ted for keeping the Lazy Daze Companion updated and relevant for Lazy Daze owners. It's a valuable tool we don't want to loose.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Question About "Beefing Up The Hitch"
Reply #2 –


Don

You probably already have seen most of this but here it is again, just in case.

Hitch receiver plate reinforcement .
Towing receiver hitch problems
Hitch receiver upgrade | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Bumper mount reinforcement.
If you tow, you might want to read this
Rear bumper mounting repair | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Both the bumper and receiver plates can be welded to bypass hardware problems but this makes disassembly very difficult and possibly destructive. 
As a compromise, in conjunction with Grade-8 hardware, I like to use a few short welds, strategically placed where they can be easily cut, if repairs or removal is necessary. The welds prevent movement that leads to hardware loosening.

Besides upgrading the various bolts and bolts, used to secure the bumper and receiver plate, additional steel can be added, between the frame and bumper, to provide a stronger connection, for use with overweight trailers and toads.
A hitch shop is the best place to look for help.

Overkill is just enough.
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: Question About "Beefing Up The Hitch"
Reply #3 –
At what point do you suggest doing an upgrade?  Generally we carry 2 bicycles on a hitch rack but we're considering getting a scooter that could hold 2 people.  Should we upgrade when we get the scooter or is that still within the capacity of the standard hitch?
2014 TK
The Super Flea
Re: Question About "Beefing Up The Hitch"
Reply #4 –
Regarding carrying a scooter we've hauled our Vespa 250 for 8 years, but only after having a custom rack&ramp system built by Eckharts Trailer & Hitch (several locations in L.A. area).  I'm a consumer, not an expert.  I saw a number of ready-made motorcycle racks (our local Yamaha dealer had a good selection) which ran about $700 for something roughly comparable.  However, they all were built to mount via the hitch receiver, which had to be at least a class III (LD's is a class II, and is not adequate).  LD strongly discourages motorcycle carriers like this, as the weight and the rocking movement eventually messes up the bumper, which is carrying the weight via the hitch receiver.  You could install some anti-sway rods to control the rocking, but the weight on the bumper would still be an issue.  If you were going to modify the pre-made aluminum racks to use two receiver tubes, like my setup, which are themselves attached to two frame extensions, then I think you are talking about the same money as I paid, once all the mods were made.  My unit, which was custom made in one day and specifically sized and designed for the Vespa, cost me $1,400. That's a lotta dough, but I have the peace of mind that it was done right.  Like I said before, this was not an economically-based proposition for me, and certainly is not for everyone.  There are photos of our setup in the archives. Look for a folder, either named Albatross or under Jon & Loni. -- Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
 
Re: Question About "Beefing Up The Hitch"
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Sandakat Writer  - 
At what point do you suggest doing an upgrade?  Generally we carry 2 bicycles on a hitch rack but we're considering getting a scooter that could hold 2 people.  Should we upgrade when we get the scooter or is that still within the capacity of the standard hitch?
If you are going to carry a scooter or motorcycle, a two-receiver mount, such as what Jon had built for his LD has, is the recommended way of doing it.  Single mounts, using the hitch receiver do not adequately support the bike and rack, allowing the rack to teeter-todder. Also, the receiver also does not have the tongue weight capacity to carry a scooter and rack.
Jon's scooter rack is very stout and well constructed. You would do well to copy it.

Beefing the receiver plate and the bumper mounts is recommended for any towed vehicle, especially those that weight close to the 4000-lbs limit.  I find the stock receiver and bumper hardware loose on most LDs,  that tow.
The stock hardware, IMO, is too light for the expected loads encountered pulling heavier vehicles

Frequent back road travel, towing heavy 4X4s, can severely damage the receiver and bumper, if the parts are left stock.
Some bumpers, with heavy toads towed on rough roads, need internal bumper reinforcements to prevent the receiver plate from flexing  and cracking the bumper's top plate . This has happened to more than one forum member.

If nothing else, periodic checking the torque of the bumper and receiver hardware is very recommended.

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