TLC Tow Hitch Question...

[nelsonpdx]

I recently noticed while under my truck swaping rear diff oil on my new (to me) FZJ80 that the tow hitch is not your standard 'Y' shaped hitch assembly bolted to the frame. Instead, it has a wide 'L' bracket bolted through the cross member directly behind the bumper, then the receiver is welded to the 'L' bracket. Is the cross member strong enough to tow, or should I replace with a 'standard' hitch?

You guys are Awesome! Let's go wheelin'

 

[Slomo]

Pictures would be helpful, but if I understand correctly it sounds like what you have is bolted/welded to the rear crossmember via the four holes provided by Mr. T. If so I would not tow with that as the rear crossmember is not designed for that, it is designed as a recovery point only.

FYI the factory reciever hitch was made by Valley Industries and is the best out there IMHO. As of last year they are still available via order. Might even be able to get it through cdan.

 

[firetruck41]

I wouldn't use it as a recovery point as you are likely to have more force on it than just towing. IIRC, there are several people on here who have similar hitches that use them for small utility trailers. After inspecting, if it looked solid, I would not be afraid of using it for a light trailer, otherwise you should be able to buy a hitch from the classifieds here on mud.

 

[nelsonpdx]

I will try and get some pics on here late tonight. I have a 2000lb boat, is that considered a 'light' trailer? I was just going to replace it, but there will be four big holes in my bumper. I know the answer is to replace the stock bumper with a cool mod bumper, but I am in the military with three kids. $1000 bumpers don't grow on trees for me.

 

[IdahoDoug]

If the boat weighs 2k alone, then toss in another 700lbs for the trailer and gear. If this is true, then I think you're at/above the limit for a light hitch like that. For that kind of load it should be a Class 3 design that attaches to the frame's longitudinal members. Many guys here take theirs off and offer them to list members for shipping only or local pickup for free. Don't worry about the 4 holes showing as that's the stock look for an 80.

DougM

 

[e9999]

there have been discussions here in the past that addressed the fact/notion that in other countries the truck is rated at over 5000 lbs (7K?) for pintle hook standard holes-based towing. Don't know if true or not.

Based on my looking at the thing I get the impression that it may not be as strong as a frame based receiver mount but could indeed -as mentioned above- handle easily a small to medium trailer. I have a pintle in my mine.

 

[Brentbba]

First, that is not an OEM tow hitch. The OEM or aftermarket hitches bolt directly to the bottom of the frame rails. As Slomo said, Valley Industries makes the OEM hitch, but I'd heard that they aren't producing ones for the 80 series any longer. Check out their website or give them a call to be sure.

Can you just unbolt what's on there or is it welded to the rear crossmember? Replacing the rear crossmember is about $800, so I wouldn't recommend that.

I would NOT tow your boat with what you are describing that you have.

Your best bet would be Valley or an aftermarket like Drawtite or Uhaul that will bolt to the OEM positions. The frame rail has three nuts welded to the inside of the frame rail on each side that are used and it's much stronger than what you have.

BTW - I tow a 3500lb trailer. Used an OEM hitch prior to my current Kaymar tow bumper.

 

[Grench]

One hitch that doesn't hang down as far as and is rated higher than the factory hitch (III/IV & Load Dist.) :

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=104627&highlight=drawtite+red

YMMV.

 

[Slomo]

As Slomo said, Valley Industries makes the OEM hitch, but I'd heard that they aren't producing ones for the 80 series any longer. Check out their website or give them a call to be sure.

As of July 06 they were still available as I was able to get one. Best to start your search with the manufacturer though, then a distributor. They don't sell direct to the public. It was approx $150 IIRC

One hitch that doesn't hang down as far as and is rated higher than the factory hitch (III/IV & Load Dist.) :

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=104627&highlight=drawtite+red

YMMV.

No disrespect intended but I had a similar hitch installed on my rig by a body shop and I constantly was hitting my knees on it. I did not have this problem with the factory hitch that was on it prior to the accident. As Grench mentioned the factory hitch does hang lower than the Drawtite though. FWIW

Grench do you have any problems hitting your knees or do you just get used to it and stop hitting it? Unfortunately I am incapable of the latter.

 

[MARLIN375]

Grench,

Is that a "flat 4" trailer harness ? (y,g,w,b, wires)

So your trailer has surge brakes? or electric pulse?

 

[NeverFinis]

I use the same hitch as Grench for about 2 years now. I have never hit my knees on the hitch.

The hitch has worked well and no complaints in towing a trailer with a GVWR of 6000lbs. I use a 7 pin connector with an electronic braking controller. I also use a ModuLite that provides power directly to the turn signals/brake lights/running lights of the trailer.

 

[MoGas]

This is what I run. I have towed a 22ft boat and regularly tow my M416.

Dave

 

[MoGas]

I sent a PM to Prosett in the UAE to see if he can consult his owner's manual for the rating of the pintle mount.

Dave

 

[Grench]

Answers...

Grench do you have any problems hitting your knees or do you just get used to it and stop hitting it? Unfortunately I am incapable of the latter.

It is on my wife's truck and her's parks on the inboad side of the garage. I walk around it daily. I hit it one time. That is all it took and I am now more carefull. Iron on a shin = pain.

Grench,
Is that a "flat 4" trailer harness ? (y,g,w,b, wires)
So your trailer has surge brakes? or electric pulse?

I don't even own a trailer. The whole purpose of putting a hitch on my wife's truck was so that I have a plan B for renting a trailer when I break my truck.

So, with the thought of a built 80 hangning off the back of it, I went with the toughest hitch I could find.

The flat 4 harness is from hitchfinder and is the recomended one for the 80 from Drawtite. It has a nifty translator box so it can do turn signals and brake lights independently.

YMMV

 

[Slomo]

This is what I run. I have towed a 22ft boat and regularly tow my M416.

Dave

Assuming of course a tandem axle trailer for the boat what tongue weight do you see with that? Do you have any other bracing behind the pintle/ball set up or is it just factory frame work. Cool to know it up to such a challenge.


Oh, agree the BCS needs a better playoff system.