Welding ?

[steve R]

I want to weld a loop on my trailer hitch, Something i can pass a cable through to locks the bikes up at night. Do i need to disconnect the battery grounds so i don't fry any electronics?

[paz]

You don't say what kind of chassis you have, but I know Workhorse definitely says disconnect the battery when welding. I don't know about other motorhome chassis, or for cars or trucks for that matter, but it can't hurt with all the onboard electronics.

[steve R]

It is on a Workhorse chassis. I called Winnebago and they said to play it safe i should disconnect the battery's

[ernieh]

Many hitches have a sticker saying "do not weld". You don't want to take a chance on weakening the hitch either. Perhaps you could fabricate a "u strap" that could attach through the pin, and use a locking pin.

[bldrbob]

My hitch has loops where I attach the safety cables.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Using the loops on the hitch is fine - as long as the reason you need the safety cables is not hitch failure. A surprising number of receiver hitches break or actually fall off (yes, FALL OFF!).

I use the loops on the receiver but have added a safety chain from the receiver to another part of the chassis frame. An alternative is to hook the safety chain to something other than the receiver.

[bldrbob]

The original question was about welding a loop to lock the bikes. I was only suggesting that there are already loops for the safety cables.I think they would be strong enough to hold the bikes.
BOB

[tboss619]

you can weld on the receiver part of the hitch bot not on the ball its self but I wld sugest to use the chain eyes also just to be safe....

[bigstonebay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve R I want to weld a loop on my trailer hitch, Something i can pass a cable through to locks the bikes up at night. Do i need to disconnect the battery grounds so i don't fry any electronics?

I just found this sticker in with owners manuals yesterday. From Allison, it states:

"Welding procedures for vehicles equipped with transmission electronic controls.
When frame or other welding is required on vehicles the following precautions are to be taken to protect the electronic control components.

1. Disconnect the wiring harness connectors at the transmission electronic control unit.

2. Disconnect the positive and negative battery connections, and any electronic control ground wires connected to the frame or the chassis.

3. Cover electronic control components and wiring to protect from hot sparks, etc.

4. Do not connect welding cables to electronic control components.

Allison transmission"

This is on a freightliner chassis. Hope it helps.