Building a receiver hitch

[Wilbur]

So I have a question.....I know I can buy 2 inch receiver tube in various lengths but I am curious.....given the cost of many of them could I fab my own? I am thinking I could use 2-1/2 inch square tubing with 1/4" wall (which gives me a 2" ID) and then fab the "collar" (I am not sure if there is a technical term for this) on the end by using 3 inch tube with 1/4 inch wall (which would then give me 2-1/2 inch ID and should be able to fit over the outside of the 2-1/2" tube on the end?

I am not sure what the wall thickness is of the receiver tubing from mfr's (waiting for a response from Reese on theirs) but figured with some of the talented people here someone may have done this already.....

This would allow me to have a basket off my receiver and then I could put a bicycle rack (that also goes in a 2" receiver) on the back of the basket.

Any advice and/or comments welcome!

 

[pop pop]

You used to be able to purchase just the receiver tube with ring for universal fabrication/application. Maybe not now?

 

[speadphreak]

I tried that once before and the hitch didnt fit. I dont remember if it didnt go in or it was really sloppy. I think it didnt fit because of the inside radius of the corners. It has been quite awhile. I ended up using premade reciever tube.

 

[speadphreak]

You used to be able to purchase just the receiver tube with ring for universal fabrication/application. Maybe not now?

You can still buy it but its not carried at very many places.

 

[lilredex]

Always helps to know where you are...

These regularly go on sale for 50% off.

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/category/1100-310-005-040-025/Tubes

 

[Agent1320]

Lowe's/Tractor Supply/Home Depot all have the pre fabbed/drilled receiver tubes, usually under $20. I've bought 3 of them in the past few months from Tractor Supply and Lowes. I always build my own receiver hitches unless the vehicle already has one. I put one on my 18' car hauler trailer for the winch, one on my dad's 18' utility trailer for the winch, and one on the front of my Suburban so I can winch from the front or rear, and to maneuver my trailer up the driveway around the back of the house.

The "collar" around the receiver tube is just there to prevent distortion of the tube if it gets hit or dragged. Usually they are only welded with short beads on all 4 sides of the tube. It's not required, but just adds some durability. The pre-fabbed tubes have the collars already welded in place.

Using regular tubing as a receiver tube, you might need to shave the edges of the hitch tube in order to slip inside the receiver tube. If you have a good steel supply house around, they might have some various types of tubing that you can match up for a good fit, but most Turkish tubing found at most steel has some variances.

I always have 2"x2"X.25" square tubing laying around so I always use that inside of the receiver tubes for whatever I'm building. I have built winch mounts, steps, d-rings recovery points, tow hooks, pintle hitches, etc. using that tubing. I've never had a problem with fitment inside the receiver tubes.

I tend to overbuild everything, including receivers and any hitches/mounts/adapters. I use 1/4" or thicker materials on everything and fully weld everything, usually with added gussets for more strength. I've had a Reese receiver hitch assembly break at a weld during a freak towing accident so I always go overkill on everything now. 30 minutes to an hour of extra cutting/grinding/welding is nothing to have that added peace of mind.

 

[Dustball]

So I have a question.....I know I can buy 2 inch receiver tube in various lengths but I am curious.....given the cost of many of them could I fab my own? I am thinking I could use 2-1/2 inch square tubing with 1/4" wall (which gives me a 2" ID) and then fab the "collar" (I am not sure if there is a technical term for this) on the end by using 3 inch tube with 1/4 inch wall (which would then give me 2-1/2 inch ID and should be able to fit over the outside of the 2-1/2" tube on the end?

The problem with this is that there's a seam running down the length of the inside of the 2.5" tube that will interfere with a 2" OD tube sliding into it.

Pre-made receiver tubing is seamless. Finding seamless 2.5" tubing may be harder than buying pre-made receiver tubing.

 

[Sureshot]

It is not hard to get seamless tubing. It is pricey compared to regular tubing but worth the hassle IMHO. For what you are doing I would buy the part with the collar and hole drilled.

 

[akdiesel]

The problem with this is that there's a seam running down the length of the inside of the 2.5" tube that will interfere with a 2" OD tube sliding into it.

Pre-made receiver tubing is seamless. Finding seamless 2.5" tubing may be harder than buying pre-made receiver tubing.

Agreed. The local truck shop did not have any receiver tubing in stock at the time so I just ground down the seam pm s 2.5 piece and it works fine and attached a collar for strength.

 

[Wilbur]

Thanks everyone- I can definitely find receiver tubing on amazon and elsewhere it just seemed pretty expensive per foot v. regular square steel tubing- the seam (and branding for Reese etc.) would appear to be the difference in price. I did not realize that seamless aspect of the tubing thanks!

I am a fan of overbuilding, when we go camping (3 kids and the dog) we tend to look like the Beverly Hillbillies so I want it to be strong.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Crusty Nut]

My local steel supplier carries 2 inch tubing with the seam already delt with just for fabbing trailer hitch stuff. You might check with yours.

 

[Wilbur]

Thanks crusty! great idea....

 

[metal1313]

you only need less than a foot of the actual receiver tubing, the rest build with regular tube. i need to build a hitch for the front of my truck, all of the manufactured ones hang way low and the cost is way high

 

[crewchief888]

i get my reciever tubes from tractor supply

 

[bad_idea]

Harbor freight has a reciever hitch tube for around $13 or so. The only bad part about it is the thing is powder coated. Grinding that **** off is a nuisance.

 

[fourjeepin]

Northern Tool also carries hitch tubing.

 

[Ign]

Technically receiver tubing is neither 3/16" or 1/4" wall but somewhere in between, which is another reason it's "special." My steel yard sells it for around $10/ft. Spendy if building a lot of hitches but cheap if you're only building one.

The collar is for the moment as this is the first place the tube will split should it choose to do so.

 

[JeremyB]

Take a look at a "you pull it" junk yard. Just about every pickup truck or van has one and they are pretty cheap. Usually around $25.

If you buy one wide enough, then you'd only need to cut to length and fabricate the part that connects to your car's frame.