Community Forums

happy2rv · 07-25-2020, 11:23 PM

I posted this on a different forum some time ago, but thought some here might find it useful.

I got tired of having to lift and carry my weight distributing hitch around to install and remove it from the truck. It's also quite awkward to store because it doesn't balance well enough to reliably stand up on its own. I looked around for a while and didn't see any solutions. So I began to think about making my own. I kicked around fabricating something out of steel tubing with casters. But I kept putting it off.

I ran across an ad from harbor freight with this mechanics seat in it and thought that looked about the right height. So I picked one up with a 20% off coupon. It's working out pretty well. I assembled it per the instructions except I replaced the seat on top with a 2x10 that I had in the garage and cut a slot just wide enough for the shank of the hitch to slide in. It would be nice if the height were somehow adjustable, but this works out to just the right height when my truck is parked in my driveway. I will probably add a bungee or some type of strap to hold the hitch in place, but for now its just sitting there and is pretty stable.

Now I just roll this up to the back of the truck, slide the shank into the receiver, install the locking pin, and roll the cart away. When I'm done, I reverse it and roll the cart with hitch on it into a corner of the garage. Side benefit, I don't end up with nearly as much grease on my hands and clothes because I don't have to lift and maneuver that beast.

I've been using this for almost a year now and its still working out very well. I never added any tie downs. The equalizer hitch head sits in pretty stable without being tied down. This sure has been a back saver!

Click For Full-Size Image

AJE · 07-26-2020, 05:23 AM

Very nice!

I have the same seat but I use it too much to repurpose it.

KanzKran · 07-26-2020, 05:51 AM

Very nice.

My FIL did something similar with a furniture dolly, also from HF, to carry his tow bar at the right height to plug into the sockets on his toad.

happy2rv · 07-26-2020, 11:53 AM

Nice. Its been a while since i wrestled with a tow bar. I was younger then with a stronger back and weaker mind

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Hobob51 · 07-27-2020, 07:17 AM

This works well for me. It does involve lifting the heavy hitch but allows me to pull it from the truck on the camp site to get it out of the way.

https://www.amazon.com/HitchGrip-HG7.../dp/B00HSO37B0

NYJoe · 07-27-2020, 06:34 PM

Where do you store the hitch? I found using the HitchGrip was difficult to store the hitch in the trailer basement since I don't have enough clearance for the tool and hitch together. Note if the Hitchgrip is not perfectly centered on the ball you may lose a few toes. I actually dropped it a couple of times. It does help with attaching and removing the hitch but still need to handle the hitch when removing from the basement. This maybe one of those 'why did I buy this' items.

aether_one · 07-27-2020, 06:43 PM

Good idea for at home but what do you do with the hitch when camping?

My solution for my last two TTs was to weld a 6" receiver tube on one side of the TT tongue on top of the C channel in front of the battery. Once the TT is parked I just moved the hitch from the truck to the tongue of the TT. I could store it there both at home and at camp.

happy2rv · 07-27-2020, 06:55 PM

I use the rolling stand at home. While traveling we pretty much leave the hitch on the truck. If we were staying longer at a location, I would consider carrying the cart, but for most of our trips its just not worth it to remove the hitch. Have seen this and thought about something like it:

https://www.amazon.com/Hitchport-Hit.../dp/B078T1C8GM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYJoe

Note if the Hitchgrip is not perfectly centered on the ball you may lose a few toes. I actually dropped it a couple of times.

Yeah, I'm not sure I would trust myself with that. Definitely wouldn't get my foot under it.

Razzman · 08-06-2020, 03:31 PM

I have the Equalizer as well, my solution camping is a heavy duty bin with holes on each side. Put the bin next to the tongue and using the hitch grip place it in the bin. Pass a cable lock and the tongue and through holes and lock it up, close lid and forget about it. Not going anywhere, not getting dirty or wet and it's right there to hitch back up. Still working on the bar storage,

volks1963 · 08-06-2020, 06:44 PM

I made a holder for the hitch and bars that fits in the back of my truck. The sway bar is held in place by a few extra camper hold down clamps. I bolted the main plate to the bed of the truck and have not had any problems.

Howard Burger · 08-06-2020, 06:59 PM

I posted this on the Outdoors owner's 'mods' forum. It works for when you have a receiver that's high off the ground, as ORVs are. The Hitchgrip and Hitchport worked out real well, too.
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f282/let...ml#post5167236