incorrect tow hitch? (1 Viewer)

[OregonB]

I'll post this, fully expecting an eye roll. Here's my issue: tried my trusty old hitch on the '05 LX, but will not recess deep enough to line up the pin holes. (Eventually, I'll be upgrading for a stronger hitch, I know where that thread is here...but for now I just want to tow my 6-foot box trailer and some lumber.)
What am I missing? Second photo shows tongue is fully against the stock receiver.
Fire away, gents!

 

[jon91581]

Looks like the shank (rectangular tubing) on your hitch is too short, which is causing the holes for the locking pin not line up. Should be easy enough to find a standard 2" ball hitch with a longer shank to give you the clearance you need.

 

[OregonB]

thank you. I went down to U haul, they looked pretty standard. But great if they're not.

 

[flintknapper]

Drill a 5/8" hole about 1-1/2" behind the one in your trailer hitch (NOT the receiver) and be done with it.

 

[OregonB]

sounds legit. yes, NOT the receiver
nice work on the arrowheads, btw...found this along a river in Ea Oregon last yr.

 

[bamabrock]

I['ve bought and returned a few hitches trying to fit the in frame one, even one from toyota. I'm watching because I'm about to buy a under bumper bolt on hitch to tow my boat if I cant solve this and just use the in frame hitch for tow shackles and folding racks.

I bought one of these
Amazon.com: CURT 45910 Channel-Style Adjuastable Dual Ball Mount Replacement Shank: Automotive
to use with this
Amazon.com: CURT 45919 Channel-Mount Forged Pintle and Ball: Automotive

I shank on that 45910 is solid metal and I may have it drilled at a machine shop to the proper hole location if moving the spare tire up doesn't give me enough clearance.

 

[OregonB]

Good luck!
I was able to find a basic 5,000 lb one that cleared the spare and worked, Reese mfg, Home Depot. It does throw the trailer up a bit forward, unloaded. But this is for "light" towing of my box trailer. I have a 19' boat...eventually I'd like to be putting a metal rear bumper in (Dissent, hopefully), and I gotta check the past MUD threads re: making it all work for a somewhat heavier duty tow set up then.

 

[bamabrock]

Good luck!
I was able to find a basic 5,000 lb one that cleared the spare and worked, Reese mfg, Home Depot. It does throw the trailer up a bit forward, unloaded. But this is for "light" towing of my box trailer. I have a 19' boat...eventually I'd like to be putting a metal rear bumper in (Dissent, hopefully), and I gotta check the past MUD threads re: making it all work for a somewhat heavier duty tow set up then.

is the reece from home depot the same one in the photos? which one fit and cleared the spare?

 

[OregonB]

No, that was the old one. Installed position shown, below. $24.48 in stock. This one works perfect - the unloaded trailer is about 2"-3"above level. Maybe loaded it ends up very close to level (?) level, I think it'll be fine.
Reese Towpower Class III 3.25 in. Interlock Starter Kit-21543RAK - The Home Depot

 

[OregonB]

I thought I needed to lower and then shove the spare towards the front of the vehicle a bit to buy some more clearance, which I did. But I think that was unnecessary, new hitch clears nicely now.

 

[Jeepster09]

I have redrilled many over the years, slow job without drill press, but no big deal. Position it where you ant it and redrill hole. Use hole in hitch receiver as guide once you get it positioned.

 

[OregonB]

Follow-up alert. That 3-1/4" drop from Reese, Home Depot, is just too high for my trailer, with my LX set in AHC "off" position. I need to get a drop of another 2", I'd guess.

 

[bamabrock]

Follow-up alert. That 3-1/4" drop from Reese, Home Depot, is just too high for my trailer, with my LX set in AHC "off" position. I need to get a drop of another 2", I'd guess.

I picked one up at Walmart and it fits with the spare tire in stock position. Been looking for a while so thanks for posting. The hole on the 5 1/4 drop one was at 2 1/2 inches and wouldn't fit .