Community Forums

Gammel · 11-21-2021, 05:08 PM

I'm thinking of cutting off my ball coupler to extend my A frame 6-8" so I can install an Aussie off-road hitch - probably a Hitch-Ezy. It should be pretty straight forward. A couple of pieces of the same size tubular steel to just slap on the sides and a piece of 3/8-1/2" plate to join them on the bottom to which the 5 ton Hitch-Ezy will be bolted.

The first pic is how it mounts and the second is my ORV.

Any helpful suggestions, other than "go see a shrink"?

Cumminsfan · 11-21-2021, 05:17 PM

I think I'd want some 1/4" x 6" x 12" plates welded to the outer sides along with some 1/4" plate on the top for mounting the Hitch-Ezy.
The top plate could be long enough to capture the old and new tongue parts.

https://www.hitch-ezy.com.au/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miU54ViTj74&t=12s

It also looks like a plate welded on the lower part of the A frame works too. Guess it depends on you receiver height.
None the less it would be an interesting project.

profdan · 11-21-2021, 06:00 PM

I don't think you are crazy at all. The Aussies do a lot more off-pavement towing than most of us do, and they have evolved these great couplers. It makes sense to take advantage of their experience.

But check to see if those same devices are adequate for American freeway speeds.

We'll be following the progress of your project -- good luck!

Dave Pelletier · 11-22-2021, 10:26 AM

I think it's a good idea if you do much offroad.....and your tow vehicle and trailer are otherwise capable and rugged enough to justify it.

Dave

77Travco · 11-22-2021, 10:30 AM

I had a Pintle hitch on a lifted single axle travel trailer years ago. Worked quite well off-road. Anything is possible.

Gammel · 11-22-2021, 01:48 PM

My main problem, as I see it, will be getting the coupler off. It's hard to see but most of you no doubt know that it is a 3/16 folded/stamped unit that wraps over the top edges of the frame. I foresee a lot of grinding, or at least paying for a lot of grinding. ��

Cumminsfan · 11-22-2021, 03:24 PM

Are you trying to keep the A frame as is by just removing the coupler then adding more to the end of the a frame for the Aussie hitch?
If you're adding onto the A frame then why not just cut the A frame off right behind the coupler. It would be 10x faster. You would still need to beef up either A frame extension.

Gammel · 11-22-2021, 10:58 PM

Mr Cummins, that's a good idea. It would mean more fabrication to add on the pieces that were cut off although I guess that wouldn't really be necessary. I will consider it.

Thanks!

Gammel · 11-23-2021, 02:59 PM

I've decided to put this on the back burner. It's gonna be a PITA as well as expensive.
I would have to pay a welder to come to my house plus sourcing the steel and the probable hit I would take on resale all say NO!
I'm going ahead with getting a Gen-Y though.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Ldubs · 11-24-2021, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gammel

I've decided to put this on the back burner. It's gonna be a PITA as well as expensive.
I would have to pay a welder to come to my house plus sourcing the steel and the probable hit I would take on resale all say NO!
I'm going ahead with getting a Gen-Y though.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Those Gen-Y hitches look like a nice addition if you are frequently on rough roads/tracks. Looking through their website, I wonder if or how they are used when a weight distr setup is needed (I know I'm probably overlooking the obvious, but that has never stopped me before

).

Dave Pelletier · 11-24-2021, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ldubs

Those Gen-Y hitches look like a nice addition if you are frequently on rough roads/tracks. Looking through their website, I wonder if or how they are used when a weight distr setup is needed (I know I'm probably overlooking the obvious, but that has never stopped me before

).

These aren't intended for use with a WD hitch; if you somehow managed to hook one up, it would negate the pivoting effect that these offroad hitches provide making the swap a waste of time.

Dave