(Pics) Fabricating a Hitch Receiver - Motorgen - Automotive Events, Meets, Cruises and Forums

enkeivette · 10-11-2010, 06:43 PM

Bought about 5 feet of 2"x2"x1/8" steel tubing today. I was thinking about going with some 1/4, but it seemed too damn thick and heavy and it was way too expensive. I don't see the 1/8" flexing from a lil glass boat with a SBC. But we shall see.

94cobra69ss396 · 10-12-2010, 07:15 AM

What's wrong with the hitch you have now on the trailer?

enkeivette · 10-12-2010, 10:00 AM

Oops, meant to say I'm making a receiver. For the Neon.

94cobra69ss396 · 10-12-2010, 10:03 AM

Really? There's a reason they don't make a class 2 receiver for a Neon. How much does your boat weigh with trailer?

enkeivette · 10-12-2010, 10:37 AM

I have absolutely no idea. But I can lift the front of the trailer myself. And the rule of thumb is, if you can lift the front, there is less than 200lbs tongue weight which means it's ok to run a class one receiver.

The worst thing that could happen other than the hitch breaking is that I will bottom out the rear suspension pretty easily. And I really don't give a flying fuck. Besides, I would only be towing this thing a couple of miles to the bay, so I'm not worried about hi-jacking on the freeway. The Neon does have 4 wheel discs btw.

I'm mainly concerned about getting the boat out of the water. Since it is an open diff. If it doesn't have the traction to pull it out of the water I may pull out the trans, install a Phantim Grip LSD and a new clutch, since it will probably need one soon anyways.

enkeivette · 10-12-2010, 10:41 AM

I was also thinking about making a hitch for the Vette. It already has limited slip obviously. But the problem with that is that it is way too low. And in order to get the boat far enough in the water, I would probably need to back it in to the point that the edge of the door dipped in the water.

Also, I don't feel like dipping my Vette in salt water.

Also, the Vette is too low to get to the garage where my apartment is, it gets stuck on the headers and the oil pan on the concrete slab 5 feet in front of the garage door.

enkeivette · 10-12-2010, 10:44 AM

I may just get an Exploder if the Neon isn't able to pull the boat out of the water. FWD transmissions are such a PITA, I would almost rather kill myself.

94cobra69ss396 · 10-12-2010, 11:16 AM

A class 1 receiver hitch is rated for a maximum of 200lbs tongue weight and 2000lbs gross weight which your Neon should be able to pull. However, I'd bet your boat and trailer weigh more than that. It most likely falls into the class 2 category which is 350lbs tongue/3500lbs gross. Also, the only concern isn't being able to pull the boat but also being able to stop it.

Now I know you're not going to listen to any of that so now for the construction. First, 1/8 is not thick enough. You need to use a minimum of 3/16. Also, you'll need larger than 2 inch for the cross bar because the ball mount is a 2 inch diameter.

94cobra69ss396 · 10-12-2010, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enkeivette

I may just get an Exploder if the Neon isn't able to pull the boat out of the water. FWD transmissions are such a PITA, I would almost rather kill myself.

That would be the smarter choice.

Chuck · 10-12-2010, 02:01 PM

If I were you I'd get a hydraulic ram to extend the trailer. So you can just launch the boat while keeping the vette on dry land salt water is bad for your car.