receiver hitch tubing options-

[tarbellb]

Hey guys, im looking to add the popular "receiver hitch" option to my welding table and am looking for opinions/experience.

It seems its common 2.5" OD x .25" wall HREW for the female.

And for the male piece?? 1.75" x .25" wall?

Is that my best option or is there a tighter fitting but similar strength setup I should be looking for?

I also like the idea of using round pipe/tube. Something with a tighter tolerance would be nice, and the ability to rotate 90 and lock into place as a bonus.

 

[readhead]

2 1/2" 3/16 for the reciever and 2" x? for the male. Reciever tube is special because the seam has been removed. Regular tubing won't work. Easiest way to do it is to buy made up recievers.

 

[The Cobbler]

usually the hitch tube is broached to clean up the inside and make a good fit.

 

[jhelrey]

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessories/Curt/E-9.html
https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessories/Curt/C49537.html

 

[BD1]

I bought some at Hf, http://www.harborfreight.com/class-iii-18-in-x-2-in-standard-receiver-tube-69815.html
Class III 18 in. x 2 in. Standard Receiver Tube Sale: $16.99
Use the 25% off coupon even better. For a tighter fit drill hole , weld nut over hole, and add bolt . Tighten against inside tube.

For pipe, 2'' schedule 40 fits pretty good inside 2 1/2'' schedule 40

 

[csp]

2x2 for the male, exactly like a hitch ball drawbar is.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Amazon has the curt units also for 16 and change. Save so much jaggin around.

 

[Hondarancher4435]

If you were to buy 2.5in .25 wall tubing does the welded seam not interfere with sliding a 2in tube inside

 

[f150skidoo]

If you use 2.5"x2.5" tubing with .250" wall a 2" mall tubing won't fit. The correct hitch tubing is 2.53"x2.53" tube with .250" wall. I've used 2.5"x2.5" tube with .188 wall for the 2" male tube to fit nicely.

 

[csp]

If you were to buy 2.5in .25 wall tubing does the welded seam not interfere with sliding a 2in tube inside

Yes it will. Thus:

Reciever tube is special because the seam has been removed. Regular tubing won't work. Easiest way to do it is to buy made up recievers.

 

[McLean]

I bought some at Hf, http://www.harborfreight.com/class-iii-18-in-x-2-in-standard-receiver-tube-69815.html
Class III 18 in. x 2 in. Standard Receiver Tube Sale: $16.99
Use the 25% off coupon even better. For a tighter fit drill hole , weld nut over hole, and add bolt . Tighten against inside tube.

I have used this before, but would NOT recommend for a couple reasons: a)it's already powdercoated and a PITA to remove before welding b)it is not real receiver tubing- it still has the seam, it's oversized and extra sloppy, and it's thinner than true receiver tube. It's not the worst option, but I definitely recommend getting some true receiver tube that is raw if you plan to weld to it.

Amazon has the curt units also for 16 and change. Save so much jaggin around.

I'll second this. Occasionally you can find it cheaper from some of the "other vendors" on Amazon.

 

[csp]

Amazon has the curt units also for 16 and change. Save so much jaggin around.

$13 for a 6" length at the time of this posting. A link is so much easier than searching for "Curt hitch" on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GMZH5E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[landydoni]

Up here in Canada we can buy it in up to 24' lengths and it is listed as "receiver tube" and measures: 2.5"x2.5" with a .215" wall and no seam. It costs roughly the same as .25 wall HSS. Im sure any metal supplier in the US would be happy to sell you some.

 

[tarbellb]

Hey thanks guys for all the input. I recently picked up a kickass Makita 9031 (1" x 21" handheld sander) that can get pretty deep into a tube.

So I think I will be trying to go with standard 2.5" x .25" wall female w/ 2" x .25" male.

Grind down the inside with the Makita, then hit the male on my large belt sander if I am still have clearance issues.

My local metal supplier actually carries 20' sticks of female receiver tubing, its $6.75/lf.
If I get desperate I will just buy some of that.

 

[scooternut]

I have 2 of the harbor freight tubes with no complaints at all, one of which i hit with a grinder and welded to a steel table.

Tip, WELD nuts to the top and sides and use bolts to tighten the slop. They barely need any torque. I think i used 5/16, visible below



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lakeroadster]

Awesome idea

Another item to add to the project list.

 

[LumpyMusic]

Real receiver hitch stock is $10 per foot at my local metal supply yard. No internal seam. Heavy as ****. Good stuff. No need to grind powder coat off. No mill scale.


Sgt Lumpy