anyone install a trailer hitch (via bolts NOT WELDING) to their car?

[edprush]

do you think it is as safe/strong as a welded trailer hitch?

 

[skyking]

welding to the frame is usually frowned apon. Most hitch installs may be fabbed up or welded together in a custom manner to fit your car/truck, but the actual connection to your car is not welded, it is bolted.

 

[ijester]

most bolts are much stronger than any forces you will be apllying to them. The important thing is to make sure nothing ever comes loose.

 

[jlee]

Bolts FTW. If you somehow damage your hitch, it would be nice to be able to remove it.

 

[edprush]

If you have bolted one onto your vehicle, where did you buy your hitch? Online?

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: edprush
If you have bolted one onto your vehicle, where did you buy your hitch? Online?

We bought one for my sister's Intrepid online from some RV place in PA.

Google Drawtite, Reese..can't think of the other big names..

 

[DaTT]

Fix your title....your missing a word or 2......:Q

 

[Sundog]

Originally posted by: DaTT
Fix your title....your missing a word or 2......:Q

Don't upset him. He may pop a bolt.

 

[The Stigenator]

my focus has a bolted on hitch.. works fabulously.

 

[DaTT]

Originally posted by: Sundog

Originally posted by: DaTT
Fix your title....your missing a word or 2......:Q

Don't upset him. He may pop a bolt.

Only if the bolts he's using aren't strong enough to withstand the forces being aplied to them.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Most cars nowadays don't have an actual frame to weld a hitch to, anyway.

 

[amdskip]

Our truck has a bolted on receiver and we pull our 28' enclosed race car trailer just fine

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: DaTT
Fix your title....your missing a word or 2......:Q

Amazing how dumb I is. I left out "trailer hitch" from the title.

 

[BHeemsoth]

I use a Class III bolted on hitch on my expedition, as well as my father's f150 and work van.

Each has worked flawlessly.

 

[swtethan]

uhaul sells hitches

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

bolting should be fine, just make sure you get installation instructions for YOUR VEHICLE. Don't just start drilling holes and bolting it on whereever you think it fits.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Parents have a bolt-on for the 03 Odyssey, and it's towed boats, campers, and miscellaneous other stuff "without a hitch".

- M4H

 

[xanis]

You can buy hitches from U-Haul and I think they might install it for you. Also, if you have an SUV, then most likely there are hitch mounts and electrical connections on the rear of the vehicle that will make installing a hitch a snap. If you don't have a SUV, however, you can still get the hitch, and I don't think that they weld it to the frame.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

if the correct bolts are used in the correct numbers and torqued correctly they won't be the weak point.

 

[CFster]

Welding is the wrong way to do it. Even big gooseneck 5th wheel hitches are bolted on.

Not to mention, by welding to the frame you cut your cars resale value significantly.

 

[edprush]

Do car frames have the existing holes for the bolts or am I going to need a blow torch to burn holes?

 

[Ausm]

I used grade 5 bolts and lock washers on my hitch. Oh I also used a 3 foot breaker bar too.


Ausm

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: skyking
welding to the frame is usually frowned apon. Most hitch installs may be fabbed up or welded together in a custom manner to fit your car/truck, but the actual connection to your car is not welded, it is bolted.

WRONG...
if you have a trailer hitch in most states it must be welded or it will not pass vehicle inspection.

 

[stinkynathan]

Originally posted by: edprush
Do car frames have the existing holes for the bolts or am I going to need a blow torch to burn holes?

holes should be there already.

 

[CFster]

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: skyking
welding to the frame is usually frowned apon. Most hitch installs may be fabbed up or welded together in a custom manner to fit your car/truck, but the actual connection to your car is not welded, it is bolted.

WRONG...
if you have a trailer hitch in most states it must be welded or it will not pass vehicle inspection.

That is absolutely incorrect.

Not even a little wrong. It is the direct opposite of the truth.