My hitch and trailer setup

[gowyn]

Thought I'd post some pix here of my hitch setup for my new Jayco Baja trailer.

You'll see in the pix that I came through the bumper instead of under it, also installed wiring in the bumper. No clearance issues.

I pull a couple of trailers, the ex MoD Sankey which is a 3/4 tonne ex military monster with a full swivel NATO pintle, and also a 2005 Jayco Baja for camping. Both tow like a dream.

 

[gowyn]

here's my driveway, running out of room...

Note the Landrover Defender behind the fence.

 

[elmariachi]

I like that. How do you have your spare mounted?

 

[concretejungle]

I like that also. I'm kinda surprised that no-one has done that yet.

 

[Koffer]

Its a stock rear tire mount on some of the JDM units

 

[gowyn]

I like that. How do you have your spare mounted?

factory JDM swing away tire mount.

 

[MoJ]

That's the best solution I've seen. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Brentbba]

Thought about doing what you did with the 7-pin trailer electrical connection, but didn't want to drill thru the crossmember. I'd have to go thru the Kaymar also at this point.

How did that hole work out? Any feeling that the rear crossmember is, in any way, compromised?

 

[gowyn]

Thought about doing what you did with the 7-pin trailer electrical connection, but didn't want to drill thru the crossmember. I'd have to go thru the Kaymar also at this point.

How did that hole work out? Any feeling that the rear crossmember is, in any way, compromised?

Just drilled a one inch hole through the rear body panel, installed a grommet, ran the wiring from the rear wiring harness through that hole into the 7 prong female plug in the rear x member. For it I think it was a two inch hole I drilled. Touch up paint and Krown t40 rust proofing.

The hitch I had my local welding shop do for me, $50. I told them I wanted at LEAST a 5000lb rating.

I don't feel the x member is the least bit compromised.

 

[ed97fzj80]

I like it as well. Anyone know if the JDM tire carrier could be sourced and retro'd to a US rig?

 

[loquito]

I like it as well. Anyone know if the JDM tire carrier could be sourced and retro'd to a US rig?

the body panels are not reenforced to carry the weight of the tire.

 

[MoJ]

gowyn -

Is that 2" square tubing? Do you know the wall thickness?

thanks

 

[gowyn]

gowyn -

Is that 2" square tubing? Do you know the wall thickness?

thanks

2.5" so that a 2" square receiver can be used. Thickness, dunno, 1/4" I think.

 

[CruisinGA]

gowyn -

Is that 2" square tubing? Do you know the wall thickness?

thanks

make sure you get reciever hitch tube, regular square tube has a seam on the inside that will not allow square tube of the same OD as the larger tube's ID to fit in without grinding on the smaller tube.

 

[Nay]

Very cool. That's the welded version of Slee's 2" receiver mounted in the stock crossmember, but probably less expensive in total and probably overall stronger frame support. How are you attaching trailer safety chains?

What is sweet about this general approach is how tight the edge of the hitch is to the bumper. Anything sticking out more than 2" is going to drag badly on steep ledge climbs (Slee's just barely drags at high angles).

I've already used this for an extraction at a pretty good side angle...I don't have any concerns about strength as of yet...

 

[e9999]

Very cool. That's the welded version of Slee's 2" receiver mounted in the stock crossmember, but probably less expensive in total and probably overall stronger frame support. How are you attaching trailer safety chains?

What is sweet about this general approach is how tight the edge of the hitch is to the bumper. Anything sticking out more than 2" is going to drag badly on steep ledge climbs (Slee's just barely drags at high angles).

I've already used this for an extraction at a pretty good side angle...I don't have any concerns about strength as of yet...

yo, Nay! will be even stronger if you put the 4 bolts in !

 

[wussyPup]

Just drilled a one inch hole through the rear body panel, installed a grommet, ran the wiring from the rear wiring harness through that hole into the 7 prong female plug in the rear x member.

gowyn, I'm looking into adding a hitch to my JDM HDJ81 too. How did you do the wiring? Use a kit, splice, or...? Any info applicable to these JDMs would be much appreciated.

Thanks, -Steve

 

[CELICA XX]

You'll see in the pix that I came through the bumper instead of under it, also installed wiring in the bumper. No clearance issues.

My factory hitch has saved me from ripping off my rear bumber many times...

 

[gowyn]

gowyn, I'm looking into adding a hitch to my JDM HDJ81 too. How did you do the wiring? Use a kit, splice, or...? Any info applicable to these JDMs would be much appreciated.

Thanks, -Steve

Hi Steve, was easy. Used a generic powered wirning harness (the kind that converts from separate turn signals to the stop/turn light), drilled a hole in the rear crossmember and installed the 7 way receiver socket there.