New Hitch on our 68 Eagle 01!

[Dreamscape]

Here ya go Richard!

I had our new hitch welded up yesterday! I had all the pieces cut to fit, all he had to do was lay some rod. He brought his rig out to where we are located and went to work. Took him around 2 hours, welds are strong and look great!

I figure it cost about $250 total! Not bad for a redneck huh!

The hitch was rated at 10,000#, by the time we finished I'm confident it is that and more.

I finished installing it this morning, boy that was a chore all by my littleself too!

Now I get to install the exhaust piping, maybe this weekend!

[Busted Knuckle]

Paul does Becky know that you wore your good slippers out to take pictures? (last picture shows the toes! )
  BK 

[Busted Knuckle]

By the way looks good!
  BK 

[eddiepotts]

Looks good. Just make sure you used some grade 8 bolts and not mild steel ones from Home Depot or your 10,000# rating will be left in the road.

[Dreamscape]

Yip, used grade 8 bolts! Probably will be strong enough to pull a tank!

[DaveG]

Just an FYI for youse guys regarding 10,000#...usually requires a solid shaft ball mount and a 2-5/16" ball

[busguy01]

Looks nice, BUT- I see all of the bolts are vertical. Would be MUCH better if you added some in the horizonal, perferably right to left.  Speaking from experience!
JimH

[Dreamscape]

Looks nice, BUT- I see all of the bolts are vertical. Would be MUCH better if you added some in the horizonal, perferably right to left.  Speaking from experience!
JimH

Can you explain why? There are two 5/8 bolts that hold the original spreader bar brackets to the frame, what others are you talking about? I'm not sure I understand the reasoning behind your statement.

I'm not going to change it, as I really think it will be just fine. In fact I think I went overkill on the steel tubing and flat plate I used, but that's just me.

[jhufford]

Looks great Paul.....Heck, It looks alot like the hitch on my o1...lol
Jim

[Dreamscape]

Jim, I wonder why! The communication from you on this project is much appreciated! 

[luvrbus]

Paul, looks good make sure the uprights on each side are tied (welded) into the uppers most of the 01 were not unless the PO did,Dick had a bunch of damage to his because they were not welded . 
I can not tell by your photo but I also like your creeper there man.


good luck

[bobofthenorth]

Looks good Paul.  I've seen so many bad hitch designs posted I'm a little gunshy about opening a hitch thread anymore.

As I have loudly proclaimed before, I'm no engineer but the comment about the bolts likely refers to the fact that its generally better to load a bolt so that it has to shear to fail.  Obviously that's not always possible - head bolts would be a prime example - but when possible its a better design if you can load the bolt in shear rather than in tension.

[Dreamscape]

Clifford, I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Are you talking about the framing on either side of the cradle?

You like my creeper huh, custom made for the job.  

Bob, I understand the shear idea. It's always better than head strength. I appreciate the "Heads Up". The frame rail and engine cradle make it hard to really make a suitable application on the 01. You should have seen the old hitch I took off, you would think this new one was designed by an engineer!

I hesitated posting this here, but there might be another Eagle 01 owner who does not belong to the Eagles Internatioanl forum. There is always liability and safety involved with any design that was not part of the original.

[Timkar]

Looks good Paul.  A lot better than some I have seen done.

[busguy01]

I found that that the  up and down movement of the tow bar or trailer tend to loosen the  vertical bolts - even if doubled nutted. The presence of the horizontal bolts completely stop it. Please check your bolts for being tight from time to time. Also best to have safety cable attachment points on frame rather than reciever.
JimH