BCM Community
Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Sebulba on January 28, 2022, 01:55:58 AM
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Hello All,
In about 3 months we need to pull out of Santa Fe and head to Montana. I would like to tow our car, so that my lovely wife can navigate and relax by my side in the bus.
I can't seem to find a ready made hitch, so am contemplating having a local welder fabricate one. This one pictures seems like a good design.
I'm guessing that about 3/8 steel would be about right for the plates that bolt on the bus.
Any input form you is welcome and helpful.
Thanks a million,
Seb
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That is about all you can do for a hitch on the MCI,looks like the same as the hitch MCI sold for awhile on the conversion shells .3/8ths thick may be a overkill the metal you are bolting too is not that thick
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way back in the day I got a universal reese trailer hitch from walmart . it was easy to use on the 102c3 but took some time to install and the + was there was a lot of spare parts left over for other jobs
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way back in the day I got a universal reese trailer hitch from walmart . it was easy to use on the 102c3 but took some time to install and the + was there was a lot of spare parts left over for other jobs
Hmmmm, This is interesting. Details... Which hitch? What di you mount it to. Only bolt on?
Maybe something like this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Reese-Towpower-Class-III-Multi-Fit-Hitch/1957059
I do have two tabs hanging down form the engine cradle I think. That I though about mounting a receiver to, but though this setup I found would be better.
Thanks
Seb
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yep same one that is on my MCI5C. They work well :^
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ya
thats the one but way back in 2005 it was $98
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Sounds interesting,
Is it just a bolt on installation then? To the bumper mounts? To the Engine Cradle?
Pictures? Anything would help.
I have limited tools and such at the moment. So really interested in the details of installation.
No point in reinventing the wheel if you have a proven method.
Thanks a million.
Seb
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Those so called tabs run the.length of the cradle on both sides for support I wouldn't attach a hitch there ,I would spend the bucks and go with your 1st idea it's a better setup.When you remove the bumper you will find a lot of cracks that will need to be repaired anyways it's a MCI
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Those so called tabs run the.length of the cradle on both sides for support I wouldn't attach a hitch there ,I would spend the bucks and go with your 1st idea it's a better setup.When you remove the bumper you will find a lot of cracks that will need to be repaired anyways it's a MCI
Hmmm, ok, thanks, so it sounds like it's a good thing I found a welder...
Seb
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Had a local fabricator build this one for us, thought it came out really good.
Peter
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Had a local fabricator build this one for us, thought it came out really good.
Peter
Yeah, that looks nice.
2 Receivers?
How much are you into it for?
I wonder if the measurements would be the same for a '97 D3?
Thanks for sharing.
Seb
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Yeah, that looks nice.
2 Receivers?
How much are you into it for?
I wonder if the measurements would be the same for a '97 D3?
Thanks for sharing.
Seb
If you look in the back of the pickup truck you can see the motorcycle/Bicycle rack that uses the second receiver, it was just too wobbly with only the one.
The fabricator, a good friend, charged me, IIRC about $200, but I paid him $300.
Our Bus is a 96A3, so 96 inches wide, so not sure if the measurements would be correct for you, the engine cradle mounts should be the same.
Thought I had the original design sheet I gave to the fabricator with all the measurements, but this was all I found, he didn’t follow my design anyway, he only had a 3” piece of square tubing so he used that instead of the 2”.
Peter
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If you look in the back of the pickup truck you can see the motorcycle/Bicycle rack that uses the second receiver, it was just too wobbly with only the one.
The fabricator, a good friend, charged me, IIRC about $200, but I paid him $300.
Our Bus is a 96A3, so 96 inches wide, so not sure if the measurements would be correct for you, the engine cradle mounts should be the same.
Thought I had the original design sheet I gave to the fabricator with all the measurements, but this was all I found, he didn’t follow my design anyway, he only had a 3” piece of square tubing so he used that instead of the 2”.
Peter
I was wondering if it was for a bike rack or something.
I have found a welder here in Santa Fe that I hope to get together with soon and talk about this project.
For the plates that bolt onto the bus, did you use 1/4 steel or?
Thanks
Seb
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I was wondering if it was for a bike rack or something.
I have found a welder here in Santa Fe that I hope to get together with soon and talk about this project.
For the plates that bolt onto the bus, did you use 1/4 steel or?
Thanks
Seb
He used 1/2 inch steel for the plates, because it was what he had sitting around the shop.
Peter
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He used 1/2 inch steel for the plates, because it was what he had sitting around the shop.
Peter
Ok, that's good to know, that puppy must be heavy.
thanks
Seb
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Yvan Lacroix has a plan for a D hitch out on Facebook/Youtube.
https://youtu.be/1Yn3fD1RJ_M
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
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Bear in mind the plates are the only thing resisting the bending leverage of the hitch and ball against a lever arm that goes all the way to where the plate are welded to the top of the square tube, a fairly long arm with potentially a load of several thousand pounds. That 3/8" plate begins to look like a better idea.
Jim
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Especially when you go through those frost heaves or equivalent out west. The stress on that hitch or tongue weight can triple or more. Be sure to use grade 8 fasteners of sufficient size where used.
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The hitch is only as good as the support it is bolted too all it bolts to on a MCI is a boxed 1/8 thick bracket for the bumper and cross support .I had a hitch from a model J it was 3/16 inch tubes and 1/4 inch mounting brackets with 1/2 inch grade 5 bolts and was a factory hitch from a entertainer shell with a 500 lb tongue weight .I hate removing some DIY hitches when owners do a over kill and weld everything lol the GM folks can come up with nightmares on hitches
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Yvan Lacroix has a plan for a D hitch out on Facebook/Youtube.
https://youtu.be/1Yn3fD1RJ_M
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Yes Warrior, I have watched that vid several times and sent it to my potential fabricator.
Thanks
Seb
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Bear in mind the plates are the only thing resisting the bending leverage of the hitch and ball against a lever arm that goes all the way to where the plate are welded to the top of the square tube, a fairly long arm with potentially a load of several thousand pounds. That 3/8" plate begins to look like a better idea.
Jim
Yes, the design of the hitch is such that there could be twisting pressure. I think 1/4 plate would be too, too light. 3/8 or even 1/2 would be better, but....
Are the studs long enough to accommodate that?
Need to take the bumper off and have a look see.
Thanks
Seb
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Especially when you go through those frost heaves or equivalent out west. The stress on that hitch or tongue weight can triple or more. Be sure to use grade 8 fasteners of sufficient size where used.
Grade 8 or better, gotcha, thanks
Seb
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The hitch is only as good as the support it is bolted too all it bolts to on a MCI is a boxed 1/8 thick bracket for the bumper and cross support .I had a hitch from a model J it was 3/16 inch tubes and 1/4 inch mounting brackets with 1/2 inch grade 5 bolts and was a factory hitch from a entertainer shell with a 500 lb tongue weight .I hate removing some DIY hitches when owners do a over kill and weld everything lol the GM folks can come up with nightmares on hitches
Hmmm, so it will be interesting to see the structure that is there when I get the bumper off.
Any tricks for bumper removal?
Thanks
Seb
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At the entrance on the hitch you should reinforce the opening or down the road it will split you can buy the receiver with pre drilled holes and the opening support
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Hmmm, so it will be interesting to see the structure that is there when I get the bumper off.
Any tricks for bumper removal?
Thanks
Seb
Only 2 bolts hold the bumper on you remove those from the engine compartment soak those good because they will probably have a lot of rust and can be a bitch
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Only 2 bolts hold the bumper on you remove those from the engine compartment soak those good because they will probably have a lot of rust
ok, that doesn't sound too bad. That is my first order of business tomorrow, to find those bolts and start soaking with PB Blaster. Sure wish I could find some Kroil, I love that stuff.
Thanks for that help.
Seb
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Doesn't sound too bad.lol
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Doesn't sound too bad.lol
Is that from the department of Sarcasm? ;D
That's the story of my life with projects and especially this one.... Oh it will only take $100 and 2 hours....
$250 and 16 hours later it's done. :^
It's fun though.
Seb
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I've been thinking about this too and I'm a little inclined to attach the hitch back behind the bumper to the sides of the rear frame rails that support the engine cradle. Have to take a good look at it to see where the best attachment points would be. I have about a 3 ft long receiver tube to work with so I can mostly eliminate the twisting loads provided there is adequate ground clearance for it. That will be a big concern as I have to use the rear raise to get in and out of the driveway. It has a pair of tabs that extend below the frame a couple inches and those drag.
Jim
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ok, that doesn't sound too bad. That is my first order of business tomorrow, to find those bolts and start soaking with PB Blaster. Sure wish I could find some Kroil, I love that stuff.
Thanks for that help.
Seb
the drivers side is easy the passenger side is a little tight.soak good and a little blood and ugly words they come loose ,
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ok, that doesn't sound too bad. That is my first order of business tomorrow, to find those bolts and start soaking with PB Blaster. Sure wish I could find some Kroil, I love that stuff.
Thanks for that help.
Seb
PB Blaster and Kroil have a lot of marketing hype. I have used them and several others, but it seems that off the shelf Liquid Wrench works as good or better.
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ok, that doesn't sound too bad. That is my first order of business tomorrow, to find those bolts and start soaking with PB Blaster. Sure wish I could find some Kroil, I love that stuff.
Thanks for that help.
Seb
the drivers side is easy the passenger side is a little tight.soak good and a little blood and ugly words they come loose ,
I learned long ago that if you hold your mouth just right it'll work out.
Seb
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I installed the reese universal hitch bolted to the engine frame cradle and bolted to the bumper in 2005 and removed it in 2010 to remove the engine for full out off frame rebuild and did a good inspection at the time.
I could not see anything that the hitch had done so after the engine was reinstalled I reinstalled the hitch . but most times I had a towed 4 down but one year I used a alluninum car float (1280 lbs ) and 2016 colorado ( 4300 lbs ) and still never saw any stress problems . at least this way not all the down force was just on the bumper support points
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PB Blaster and Kroil have a lot of marketing hype. I have used them and several others, but it seems that off the shelf Liquid Wrench works as good or better.
The old timers made their own.
50/50 acetone and transmission oil.
I haven't priced acetone lately...
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
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The old timers made their own.
50/50 acetone and transmission oil.
I haven't priced acetone lately...
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
I'm one of those old timers, Liquid Wrench is less messy and comes with an application spray can.
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Acetone is about the same price as lacquer thinner. Available at Lowes, Home Depot, Ace, and maybe Walmart.
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Hello again everyone,
Well, I got the bumper off last week. There were 5 bolts holding it on and with the help of PB Blaster, a breaker bar and a side grinder the bumper fell to the ground.
I made a template out of cardboard and wood.
I ordered a Curt hitch form Walmart that is big enough to cut the ends off of and weld to the 3/8 plates and then should be ready to bolt it all back on.
What a job.
Thanks for all of your input.
Seb
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Hello All,
What happened to buying steel on the cheap. Wow! I know, I know....
Anyway I found 2 pieces of 1/2 in plate that I just needed to cut a couple of inches off of them to be the right size. 1/2 inch is overkill, but it is what I found. I also found a Curt hitch that I cut the ends off of and that will be the main part of the hitch. It was cheaper than buying the steel and paying a welder to build it. So all my welder will need to do is drill the holes in the plates and weld the plates to the hitch assembly and if all goes well I will have a hitch.
Seb
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Sure wish I could find some Kroil, I love that stuff.
Seb
https://www.kroil.com/where-to-buy/
I get mine at our local NAPA store!
;D BK ;D
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https://www.kroil.com/where-to-buy/
I get mine at our local NAPA store!
;D BK ;D
Thanks, Busted Knuckle, I just keep hoping I will find it in the parts house or somewhere.
Seb
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Amazon will :^ bring it to you.
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like tires and motor oil. everyone has their favorite
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Amazon will :^ bring it to you.
Yup, just need to think of it when doing an Amazon order. I usually remember what I want 2 days after placing the order.
Seb