Receiver hitch for MCI D3

[buswarrior]

Yvan Lacroix has a plan for a D hitch out on Facebook/Youtube.

https://youtu.be/1Yn3fD1RJ_M

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Jim Blackwood]

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

[chessie4905]

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.

[luvrbus]

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

[Sebulba]

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

[Sebulba]

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

[Sebulba]

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

[Sebulba]

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

[luvrbus]

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 

[luvrbus]

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

[Sebulba]

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

[chessie4905]

Doesn't  sound too bad.lol

[Sebulba]

Doesn't  sound too bad.lol

Is that from the department of Sarcasm?   

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

[Jim Blackwood]

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

[luvrbus]

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 ,