Fabricating A Hitch Receiver?

Dizzy · Post by **Dizzy** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 10:11 am

Hello. I have a 1970 type 2. Basically stock with a new motor, not rebuilt, about 90% new.
I would like to pull behind my bus a small tent trailer. I do not have a hitch receiver and since they are difficult to find, I had thought about having one fabricated out of steel. Any suggestions or tips on how to do this? Anyone have plans/drawings of theirs? thanks.

thielien · Post by **thielien** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 1:30 pm

I pulled mine off the bus because I don't need it right now, and I could take pics of it and it's hookup holes. That might give you an idea of the demensions of it.

A_67vdub · Post by **A_67vdub** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 5:05 pm

I made one that is basically invisible and takes the place of the bumper brakets. I have some pictures somewhere. Let me know if you want me to email them. I think cost me about $35 in materials and it's way stronger than it needs to be.

Dizzy · Post by **Dizzy** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 6:38 pm

pictures would be great!!
[email protected]

My roommate has an arc welder. Maybe he'll do some welding for me. Since I know squat about welding....what are the differences/applications for the different types of welders?

Ben Beckner · Post by **Ben Beckner** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 4:47 pm

I wouldn't mind seeing those pix too! I'd like to be able to pull a small utility trlr. from time to time!

A_67vdub · Post by **A_67vdub** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 5:29 pm

The pics I have are at home, and I'm at work right now, so I'll have to put them on a CD and bring them to work on Tuesday because I don't have internet at home. Sorry for the wait, but for now I can give you a description.

I basically made new bumper brackets that involve a 1" square tube frame with 1/8" steel plate welded to the sides for strength. I then welded a 2" square tube with notches cut into it so it would sit on the brackets, directly behind the bumper. Then I cut a notch in the middle of the tube and made a "sleeve" to fit in the notch that a 5/8"X3"x12" plate could slide in. The ball is bolted to the plate that slides in. I had to cut a slot in the bumper, but the slot is the only part that is visible when the plate is out.

I know it sounds kinda confusing, but when you see the pics, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Steve

A_67vdub · Post by **A_67vdub** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 12:02 pm

OK, I'm at my friends house. Here's the pictures I have of the hitch. I don't have a picture of it installed, but I'll try to take one on Monday.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/inde ... +97586.jpg

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/inde ... +97588.jpg

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/inde ... +97590.jpg

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/inde ... +97592.jpg

Please excuse the welding. I learned how to weld on this project with a flux core wire feed.

Steve

A_67vdub · Post by **A_67vdub** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 12:10 pm

Oh, yeah, the last step was to weld a plate on each side with two holes in each to bolt the bumper up. I also welded in two pieces of 2" angle iron to the C-channels that the bumper bolts to for strength. I had to trim about 1/4" off one edge of the angle iron so I wouldn't have to cut anything on the bus (aside from drilling some extra holes).

Steve

Dizzy · Post by **Dizzy** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 12:39 pm

nice pictures, and i like the design!! where in long beach are you? i'll be visiting a friend in long beach in late august.
[email protected]

A_67vdub · Post by **A_67vdub** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 11:06 pm

Thanks, I am a drafter by trade so I drew it all up in autocad and printed full size plans and spray glued the paper to the steel before cutting. It came out better than expected. I live in Belmont Heights, near Wilson High School. Hit me up when your down, I'm always going to the bars.

Steve

vdubsinjensen · Post by **vdubsinjensen** » Sun Jul 20, 2003 6:57 am

I've got an original ZVW accessory hitch that I removed from a 68' bay bus.It bolts on all the factory holes,and you only have to drill 1 hole in the bottom of the bumper.I'd take $80.00+ shipping for it.Paul

metropoj · Post by **metropoj** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 5:51 am

The guy who had my camper before me welded some abgle iron from the original bumper mounts on the inside of the bumper and attached a large plate with a trailer hitch through the bumper into this plate. It looked a little mickey mouse, so I left it off and it's sitting in the garage ...

The posted one looks a lot stronger !

Question .... WHat are the three bolt holes for on each side ? I only have two on my Westy ......

A_67vdub · Post by **A_67vdub** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 11:40 am

I just put three in because it seemed stronger. I'm not an engineer, but I know enough about engineering that I figured it would be better to over-engineer it, since I wasn't calculating anything (loads and moments and stuff like that).

Steve

Dizzy · Post by **Dizzy** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 2:02 pm

what do you pull with your bus? i was wanting to pull a small pop up trailer, which would be pushing the 1000# weight limit. the motor is a stock 1600 with a heavy duty valve train. anyone else pull a tent trailer? how does the bus perform pulling that weight? thanks.

A_67vdub · Post by **A_67vdub** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 3:51 pm

The only thing I've pulled with mine is a 4X8 trailer with a good sized dirtbike on the back. I have a stock 1600dp and I hardly noticed it. If you're pulling something heavy, make sure your brakes are good.