Where to buy an MCI-9 tow hitch?

gr8njt · October 28, 2006, 04:22:10 PM

Any recommendations on where to purchase an MCI 9 tow hitch?
Or maybe someone who can weld one together to sell?
Or someone wanting to get rid of their old MCI 9 hitch?
I appreciate all info.

Dallas · October 28, 2006, 04:43:02 PM

I hate to mention it, but there is no premade hitch for your bus.
In fact, I'm not sure there is ANY bus, (Parlor coach), that has a hitch that's a bolt on.

If you want one built for yours, go to your nearest machine shop or, come down to SC and you and I will build one together.

Dallas

gr8njt · October 28, 2006, 06:07:31 PM

Quote from: Dallas on October 28, 2006, 04:43:02 PM
I hate to mention it, but there is no premade hitch for your bus.
In fact, I'm not sure there is ANY bus, (Parlor coach), that has a hitch that's a bolt on.

If you want one built for yours, go to your nearest machine shop or, come down to SC and you and I will build one together.

Dallas

I'll take a raincheck on that offer. Sometime when I'm headed south, I'll give you a ring.
For thee meantime, I may have to check the local welding shops.
Thanks.

Stan · October 29, 2006, 04:48:36 AM

Before you go to the welding shop, you should have a basic design for the hitch. Will it be load carrying or just pulling (that is a trailer or a towed car)? It must be a bolt on system so that the engine can be removed without a cutting torch to remove the hitch. The hitch shops that specialize in tow hitches don't have much experience with buses.

jjrbus · October 29, 2006, 06:23:31 AM

my first rude awakening with the bus. The shops that "specialize" in hitches will not even talk to you!!!!! UHaul ect. Try this link users.cwnet.com Look under Fred Hobes articles in there somewhere is info on how to build a hitch. DO NOT let a welding shop weld it to the engine supports. If this does not work for you, I have a very simple hitch, which I can try to post for you.

grantgoold · October 29, 2006, 06:28:19 AM

Here is the best descriptions and pictures of a tow hitch build out for the MCI 9. I plan on making the same unit in the spring.

http://www.gumpydog.com/bus/site_map.htm

Grant

Ross · October 29, 2006, 07:24:17 AM

Quote from: gr8njt on October 28, 2006, 04:22:10 PM
Any recommendations on where to purchase an MCI 9 tow hitch?
Or maybe someone who can weld one together to sell?
Or someone wanting to get rid of their old MCI 9 hitch?
I appreciate all info.

Where are you located? Anywhere near the Washington DC area?

Ross

NJT5047 · October 29, 2006, 07:37:12 AM

Just for giggles. Ideas abound for hitches. Most are not suitable for heavy tongue weights. A toad imparts no vertical tongue weight. JR

gumpy · October 29, 2006, 07:38:31 PM

If you want to fab your own in the manner I did, I just happen to have a receiver hitch on the old 91 explorer that I'm thinking of removing before I send the rust bucket off to the scrap yard. It could use a good blasting, but you'd be cutting and welding on it anyway. Would make a great start for a custom hitch. If anyone is interested, it's in MN and I'd let it go pretty darn cheap. Maybe a couple cases of some really good dark beer. How about some Black Bear beer from up around Kamloops?

craig

gr8njt · October 30, 2006, 10:15:02 AM

Quote from: Ross on October 29, 2006, 07:24:17 AM
Quote from: gr8njt on October 28, 2006, 04:22:10 PM
Any recommendations on where to purchase an MCI 9 tow hitch?
Or maybe someone who can weld one together to sell?
Or someone wanting to get rid of their old MCI 9 hitch?
I appreciate all info.
Where are you located? Anywhere near the Washington DC area?
Ross

I'm located close to the Delaware/NJ boarder. Any Ideas?
BTW, thank you for all the suggestions and recommendations from other members of this board.

NJT5047 · October 30, 2006, 11:17:36 AM

Looking through Ebay a few minutes ago (bought a bus book...Larry Planchko (sp?)), saw what appeared to be an MCI 'hound with a trailer behind it. The trailer was painted up with 'hound strips just like the bus. This was a new Canadian Greyhound bus...so it would appear that assuming this was an MCI, (or 'hound) MCI is producing hitches again...if not continually. They had a factory hitch install for MC9s.
I'd read that the concept was discontinued due to driver complaints. Obviously they are still pulling mail or package trailers in Canada.
FWIW, JR

bobofthenorth · October 30, 2006, 11:36:23 AM

Pulling trailers behind STC busses is really common here in the People's Republic of Saskatchewan. Might be worth a phone call to the maintenance department:
http://www.stcbus.com/contactus.aspx

Ross · October 30, 2006, 03:58:43 PM

Quote from: gr8njt on October 30, 2006, 10:15:02 AM
Quote from: Ross on October 29, 2006, 07:24:17 AM
Quote from: gr8njt on October 28, 2006, 04:22:10 PM
Any recommendations on where to purchase an MCI 9 tow hitch?
Or maybe someone who can weld one together to sell?
Or someone wanting to get rid of their old MCI 9 hitch?
I appreciate all info.
Where are you located? Anywhere near the Washington DC area?
Ross
I'm located close to the Delaware/NJ boarder. Any Ideas?
BTW, thank you for all the suggestions and recommendations from other members of this board.

Actually, Yes. Give me a call at 603-477-2080 or Bruce at 302-542-4464. The shop is in Harbeson, DE. Installing a hitch on an MC-9 is not a problem.

Ross

gr8njt · October 30, 2006, 06:27:28 PM

Thanks Ross. I'll give you a ring tomorrow.

gr8njt · November 10, 2006, 05:37:17 PM

Quote from: Ross on October 30, 2006, 03:58:43 PM
Actually, Yes. Give me a call at 603-477-2080 or Bruce at 302-542-4464. The shop is in Harbeson, DE. Installing a hitch on an MC-9 is not a problem. Ross

Bumping this post for Ross. I spoke with Bruce more than a week ago and we have a definite date for the hitch install on Nov 18. Bruce gave me the directions and just waiting for that weekend.