Rear hitch mount

[humormeplease]

Anyone steer us in the right direction on the best way to obtain and install a 2" hitch/receiver to the rear of our Silver Shadow trailer? Thanks ahead of time!

[halfdome, Danny]

The strongest way to do it is to weld the receiver to the rear and the next cross member of your chassis. I buy the shortest I can find and add the same sized tube to make the length. I believe Northern Tool carries a 48" two inch receiver. Check out my #3 build slide show for a picture. Danny

[xrover]

Okay, just had it done and did NOT weld. The frame is quite thin and concered that welding would weaken it. So I went to the metal market with my bike rack, and bought a 24" piece of 2" tube that the rack will fit snugly in. A shop welded on L brackets on either side at where the tube meets the frame and then we bolted it up to the frame instead of welded. Before bolting it up, had them drill a hole to accept the pin. I'll try to post up some pictures later tonight as I literally had it completed today.

[halfdome, Danny]

Here's a link for the 48" tube. Danny

[halfdome, Danny]

Okay, just had it done and did NOT weld. The frame is quite thin and concered that welding would weaken it. So I went to the metal market with my bike rack, and bought a 24" piece of 2" tube that the rack will fit snugly in. A shop welded on L brackets on either side at where the tube meets the frame and then we bolted it up to the frame instead of welded. Before bolting it up, had them drill a hole to accept the pin. I'll try to post up some pictures later tonight as I literally had it completed today.

Are you using a bolt together chassis? I think the Silver Shadow is a welded chassis. Manufactured receiver tubes have reinforcement metal at the working end. Danny

[humormeplease]

Thank you

[xrover]

Okay, just had it done and did NOT weld. The frame is quite thin and concered that welding would weaken it. So I went to the metal market with my bike rack, and bought a 24" piece of 2" tube that the rack will fit snugly in. A shop welded on L brackets on either side at where the tube meets the frame and then we bolted it up to the frame instead of welded. Before bolting it up, had them drill a hole to accept the pin. I'll try to post up some pictures later tonight as I literally had it completed today.

Are you using a bolt together chassis? I think the Silver Shadow is a welded chassis. Manufactured receiver tubes have reinforcement metal at the working end. Danny

Yes but it is welded together.
You are correct, a standard tube does have a reinforced plate at the end, however I will only be carrying 2 bikes max which should be able to support it.
Thank you

[tinksdad]

You may be only carrying two bikes; but.......

if you ever sell the trailer, I would seriously think about removing the rear hitch.

You don't want to be held liable for what some other person may stupidly do. It could happen in today's court systems.

[xrover]

You may be only carrying two bikes; but.......

if you ever sell the trailer, I would seriously think about removing the rear hitch.

You don't want to be held liable for what some other person may stupidly do. It could happen in today's court systems.

Sound advice, and easy to do since it is bolted on. I think I will actually get a lighter bike rack as the one I have is a heavy duty swing away and puts a lot of twist on the tube. Even on a regular Class III tube it puts strain on it. I have posted posted photos up on my www link (they are posting as I type).

P.S. I am located in Canada where the legal system is not so 'used'. In fact bring a frivilous case before the courts, and lose, and you could end up paying for the legal fees of all involved.

[rowerwet]

the reason more US manufacturing has moved to Canada in the past decades !

[McBrew]

I picked up a "bumper hitch" from Harbor Freight. I think it was about $15. It could be welded or bolted on. Check out part number 97019. I am using it for something else, but it would probably work great for a bike rack on a tear.

[Miriam C.]

I have a bolt on step bumper receiver hitch from HF sitting in the garage. It is way too heavy to mess with.

You might try having the metal reinforced and then welded. Same person should be able to do that.

[Jst83]

Ok so how safe is it to weld one on an already finished Tear Drop? I have no welding knowledge so someone else would have to. I want it strong enough to pull a little tandom trailer.

[kennyrayandersen]

Ok so how safe is it to weld one on an already finished Tear Drop? I have no welding knowledge so someone else would have to. I want it strong enough to pull a little tandom trailer.

It probably depends -- you could always take it to a trailer shop and get a 'professional' opinion.

[Steve_Cox]

Here's my little hidden hitch. Welded it together then bolted it on with carriage bolts. Box tube with 2 pieces of angle welded to it that bolt to my 2" box tube frame.