beefing up for a hitch

happycamperbrat · February 08, 2011, 09:40:11 PM

I have the same issues that has been hashed over and over lately about towing a trailor. I have the engine cradle, held on with 4 mounts, that attaches at the roof with diagnol braces.

I have a 10,000# hitch that I would like to install before this summer. I want to be able to tow a 20' trailor if need be or a little minibike lol. I want the "option" to tow what I want at any moment without my cradle cracking.

Many of you have talked about beefing up and attaching the hitch somewhere else besides the cradle, but what I havent seen is pictures or what size metal is used for this and where it is attached..... is it welded or bolted to the other bulkheads? How do you guys do it?

bevans6 · February 09, 2011, 03:48:11 AM

How best to install a hitch is really specific to the bus model, and I have no idea how the RTS is configured. Experts will have to sign in. A 20 ft trailer can be fairly light, possibly under 5K lbs so possibly no need to try to go all the way up to a 10K configuration.

Brian

buswarrior · February 09, 2011, 06:39:29 AM

A few lost computer hard drives and years ago...

There was a busnut with GREAT pictures of how he tied a hitch into the back end of a 4106. Ran some links back to the engine mounting places, amongst other tricks.

Who has the link, or the pics?

If nothing else, some inspiration for your own creativity.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Geoff · February 09, 2011, 06:56:59 AM

The RTS cradle (and bus in general) is much stouter than the one used by GM interstate buses. I made my hitch using the Z bar, several pieces of 1/4" steel plate, and a beam that runs underneath the engine and attaches to both sides of the cradle. I have easily towed a 12,000 trailer up a mountain and had one ton of tongue weight on it. I don't have pictures but a good welder could look at the cradle and make a strong hitch like I did.

--Geoff
'82 RTS AZ

happycamperbrat · February 09, 2011, 09:36:01 AM

Actually, I already have the hitch (I took it off my old S&S). But the bracing that comes with it combined with the actual long tube thing the ball with hitch goes into, is just long enough combined to attach to the underside of the cradle and go all the way to where the first bulkhead is (it is about 5'). Sooooo I didnt know if I should add another 5' or more of metal to the hitch bracing in order to attach it to the 2nd bulk head for additional bracing.

QuoteThe RTS cradle (and bus in general) is much stouter than the one used by GM interstate buses.

Geoff, that is really encouraging! I have read stories about how tremendously strong the RTS is and one person had said that when he jacked up the front side of his bus that the back tires on that side came off the ground! Ive also read about some narley accidents a RTS was in and the survival stories were incredible! But I also read that there isnt much holding up the back cradle ...... maybe I am confused with a different kind of GM bus? And yes, I do intend on taking it to a welder/fabricator to have done but I wanted to know more about it before going in and maybe have a chance to scrounge the metal before the modification.

Geoff · February 09, 2011, 10:23:34 AM

You are not going to be happy with a hitch that goes underneath the engine-- on a 40' RTS it will bottom out every time you go over a dip or hump on driveway entrances. The best thing to do is custom make a hitch that comes out the top center of the bumper. You have to remove the bumper, fabricate the hitch, then measure and cut the hole for the reciever to go through the bumper. On mine, I have to put the hitch pin on from the inside of the bumper because my reciever is flush with the bumper.

I think you should post this question on the yahoo RTS bus nuts group--

Geoff

happycamperbrat · February 09, 2011, 10:27:14 AM

Quote from: Geoff on February 09, 2011, 10:23:34 AM

I think you should post this question on the yahoo RTS bus nuts group--

Geoff

Will do!!

OneLapper · February 11, 2011, 08:22:09 PM

Quote from: buswarrior on February 09, 2011, 06:39:29 AM
A few lost computer hard drives and years ago...

There was a busnut with GREAT pictures of how he tied a hitch into the back end of a 4106. Ran some links back to the engine mounting places, amongst other tricks.

Who has the link, or the pics?

If nothing else, some inspiration for your own creativity.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Here you go! http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=15702.msg168851#msg168851

buswarrior · February 11, 2011, 08:53:29 PM

I think I found it, but the site won't connect.

http://www.thebouthilliers.com/4106/index.htm

Wonder what happened?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

chart1 · February 11, 2011, 09:48:55 PM

Wouldnt a 20 foot trailer put you over the total legal length in most states?

happycamperbrat · February 12, 2011, 08:32:13 AM

Thanks for digging up that post! I'll go thru it later and stew on it. In Cally 65' is leagle....

ruthi · February 12, 2011, 09:34:03 AM

Please do this the right way. Choo Choo added another beam to support it. We had our drive shaft fall out going down the highway. You could call Joel at Choo Choo to find out exactly how it was done.