Trailer frame project

Well, Here is a long awaited project and major under taking, the task? To cut off my hitch and make it long enough to hold a storage box for all the stuff needed to set up the camper. (ie: gray water tank, cranks, lynx levelers ect.) Last year I had added a 2" receiver to the back of the trailer and mounted the box in the back. However, the added weight threw off the tongue weight I needed to tow safely. Well all it took was a 3200 mile trip thru Virginia and back that made it known this had to be fixed.. The ideal weight for this camper at the ball is about 150lbs. (10% of 1500lbs) Well with an almost full tank of propane, I had 70lbs. (Yep, less than 50% of what I needed. (BTW, with the battery and propane removed it was at 20lbs!!)  So this project took shape.  My plan, to build the better mousetrap. I was to cut apart my hitch frame, and re-build it to fit my needs. Now first let me state that I am an auto body tech. by trade, and you should not try this at home unless you really know what you are doing, I used race car 2"x2" square tubing and had access to proper welding equipment.  I also have a "quick-disconnect" propane hose installed by a prior owner, This was "T" spliced off the low pressure line, but useless. I needed it to be a high pressure line to run lanterns, BBQ grilles ect. So I added a "T" before the regulator (with a 1/4 turn valve to keep it off when not using it. (It all just barely fits under the tank cover and the valve just barley clears all the tank and fittings.  So, to no further ado.. Here are the photos, and you can enlarge them by clicking on each photo. ~~Lee

The end result?? I can fit it all up front, I am now running about 180lbs. (a little high, but I can add bikes in the 2" receiver in the back and tow at 150lbs all day long. The camper now tows so much better than before the box was put on the back, and it backs up ten fold better. I also now have to option to set up with out un-hitching the truck, a major plus when stopping just for a night at a campground.

This page created and maintained by Lee Thomas