towing hitch - where to find parts

[NickDawson]

Hey folks - my hitch is a plate mounted to the frame. The tow ball itself is a single cast iron (?) part that is bolted right to the plate.

Anyone know where I can buy different sizes? Our hosts have the more traditional tongues with interchangeable ball sizes, but I have not found anything that bolts right to the plate like mine.

here's a pic from another thread where someone needed a measurement
http://gallery.me.com/nickpdawson/100097/IMG_0467/web.jpg?ver=12479396450001

[TSR53]

http://www.roversnorth.com/store/images/Product/medium/RNA084.JPG
RNA084 (http://www.roversnorth.com/store/p-5234-class-iii-receiver-hitch-series-iia-iii-standard-chassis.aspx) Class III hitch for Series. This replaces the plate you have and has a built in receiver.


RNA086 (http://www.roversnorth.com/store/p-5236-class-iii-receiver-hitch-series-iia-iii-military-chassis.aspx) for Series ex-MoD chassis.

[NickDawson]

thanks Thompson!

If I want to work with the plate I have, is there an option for the ball only?

I'll keep the above part in mind, but its cost prohibitive at this point - would still have to buy a ball and tongue too...

[pisten-bully]

You can purchase replacement 50mm balls but we've never found a hitch that bolts up to those standard holes AND that has a replaceable ball. So the only thing we can think of to allow you to switch ball sizes is the square tube receiver hitch like the RNA084... which is a really good hitch.

But we're cheapskates so we made our own.

[Andrew IIA]

That ball you have is European I think (it's definitely a style I've only seen on euro-spec vehicles - why they can't understand the 2" insert hitch I'll never know :confused:).

So, I think your ball is a euro-standard 50mm, pretty much the only size they come in. Also, 50mm = 1.97" or approximately 1 15/16", which is not a size used on this side of the pond. Our common standard sizes are 1 5/8" and 2".

You may want to save up for some sort of 2" insert hitch, then you fit all sorts of goodies into it - bike racks, cargo racks, steps, and of course standard hitch inserts.

Best regards, Andrew
'63 SIIA 88" SW

[pisten-bully]

Our common standard sizes are 1 5/8" and 2".

'63 SIIA 88" SW

1 7/8" (actually the common size) is smaller than the 50mm, and 2" is bigger than 50mm. Even though you can slip a 50mm ball into either of those two sized receivers, you shouldn't!

You can also purchase 50mm couplers to go on your trailer... and then you'll be able to securely use your 50mm ball.

[NickDawson]

1 7/8" (actually the common size) is smaller than the 50mm, and 2" is bigger than 50mm. Even though you can slip a 50mm ball into either of those two sized receivers, you shouldn't!

You can also purchase 50mm couplers to go on your trailer... and then you'll be able to securely use your 50mm ball.

Well that answers that question - the trailer is a 1 7/8"

I think a proper hitch would be a good investment... but its not happening until I've got the engine fully sorted. I was however hoping to pull some short trips in the mean time.

[Andrew IIA]

Yes, 1 7/8", that's what I meant. I've converted all my trailers to 2" for simplicity.

[Firemanshort]

Almost off topic....

.... are the bolt holes on the bottom of the cross member threaded or just clean holes. (ie. on the RN hitch, do the bolts facing upwards thread into the cross member or do they require a nut on the other side)?

My crossmember is a replacement and was dipped in galvy. I looked at it and the hole appears like it should be threaded but is all coated with Zinc. I am not sure if the zinc gobbed up the threads or if they are not any to begin with.

[Tim Smith]

No threads, you will need a nut. Interestingly enough, when I received my hitch mount, it would bolt right up to the new galvanized frame but I definitely had to use a bit of hammer love to get it to mount to my other old military non galvanized frame.

I thought that the galvanizing would have made it harder to fit but maybe the specs are slightly different between the two frames. :confused:

Either way, this hitch mount style is highly recommended by myself. It not only mounts on the face of the rear cross member but also along on the lower edge which is much much stronger than just mounting on the face. If your frame is in good condition then you probably won't need to think twice about that but mine sadly is not.

[scott]

maybe we can get badvibes to post a pic of his. it's a set up that has 2 tabs coming of the plate. the top tab is parallel to the deck and the bottom is angled down slightly. you can fit a lunnete ring in between 'em and drop a pin down thru holes in the end of the tabs or you can mount a ball size of your choice in the top tab. i have the same set up but my lower tab has been cut off so i just have the 2" ball

looks like this without the ball

http://www.brookwell.co.uk/graphics/products/large/ZBS1811L.jpg

[TJR]

If you can find an original tow plate mount , "tow jaw" like the one in the pic. (click image to enlarge) They will allow mounting of a std tow ball. I used my this way for a long time until I fab'd a receiver style into the tow plate.


http://www.roversnorth.com/store/p-5246-sill-protectors-88-series-ii-iia-iii-pair.aspx

...Talbot

[badvibes]

maybe we can get badvibes to post a pic of his. it's a set up that has 2 tabs coming of the plate. the top tab is parallel to the deck and the bottom is angled down slightly. you can fit a lunnete ring in between 'em and drop a pin down thru holes in the end of the tabs or you can mount a ball size of your choice in the top tab. i have the same set up but my lower tab has been cut off so i just have the 2" ball

looks like this without the ball

http://www.brookwell.co.uk/graphics/products/large/ZBS1811L.jpg

Actually here is what I've got. You could mount a ball on the upper tab where the pin drops in but your trailer would have to ride really tall to sit level. Otherwise it will ride tail down.

http://i25.tinypic.com/10dgq3o.jpg