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12/22/06, 12:02 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Earth
Posts: 1,869
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trailer hitch
Have any of you installed a receiver hitch on your pickup? I'm wondering if it's worth the $70 they want to install one on my 96 Chevy half ton. Seems like a lot for 6 bolts... or maybe there's more to it than I think...
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12/22/06, 12:09 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 376
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If you can do it yourself good on you. Make sure to use the proper strength bolts/nuts for attaching the hitch to your truck tho. That is not the area to use wrong materials on.
Make sure you have a HD 1/2 inch drill and good bits too as you may have to drill new holes in the frame to accomodate the hitch.
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Hark ye moonbats:We seek not your council, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.
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12/22/06, 12:11 PM
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In Remembrance
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: In beautiful downtown Sticks, near Belleview, Fl.
Posts: 7,102
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If its a cross-ways H shaped receiver hitch a floor jack does come in handy. It all depends on you health and ability, I have measured, built, installed such in less that day in the past, but would not consider trying such today.
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12/22/06, 01:06 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 120
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It wouldn't be worth it to me, but it all depends on what you are willing to do. Are you willing to drill any holes and bolt it up? Do you have the equipment needed to complete the job?
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12/22/06, 01:37 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Earth
Posts: 1,869
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It (Reese hitch) supposedly comes with holes that match up with the factory holes in the frame, so in theory no holes to drill. But I could if that didn't play out. Installation kit and instructions come with it. I guess I'm looking for a description of what the steps are to install one. The website claims installation time to be 20-40 mins. depending on the model.
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12/22/06, 01:39 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 376
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Quote:
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The website claims installation time to be 20-40 mins. depending on the model.
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About enuff time to get the job done and knock off a 6 pack of cold beer too..... 
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Hark ye moonbats:We seek not your council, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.
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12/22/06, 05:58 PM
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: NW OHIO
Posts: 419
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Got one awhile back to put on the Jeep...holes matched perfect, wiring was a snap, done in 1/2 hour, tops!
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12/22/06, 07:49 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: East TN
Posts: 6,977
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There's plenty of wrecked pickups in the salvage yard with perfectly good factory hitches that will bolt right on with no drilling. A floor jack definetly makes it easier and be sure to use the correct strength hardware. Also be sure to tighten the hardware to the correct torque and recheck it after using it.
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12/22/06, 08:47 PM
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None of the Above
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: NE Kansas
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It's a 3 beer job if you have to drill holes. No big deal.
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12/22/06, 10:38 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Earth
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by fixer1958
It's a 3 beer job if you have to drill holes. No big deal.
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Rats... I was hopin' for a six pack job...
Checked the wrecking yards in the area - no matches...
got one ordered.... we'll see Wednesday...
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12/23/06, 08:43 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2005
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If you do not have the bolts I would use grade 5 or better and use aircraft nuts to prevent them coming loose. The bolts with the 3 marks on the head are just plain steel. I like using grade 8-9s when ever they are available. If you cannot find aircraft nuts(plastic in the top to prevent loosning) then use lock washers and bruise the bolt with a ball peen hammer a bit. That way the nut may get loose but will not come off without a wrench.
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12/23/06, 08:52 AM
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Zone 7
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Gideon , the 3 marks are grade 5. Grade 8 I believe have the 6 marks.  Grade 8 would be the fastener of choice in this shear application.
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Agmantoo
If they can do it,
you know you can!
Last edited by agmantoo; 12/23/06 at 09:00 AM.
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12/23/06, 09:26 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Earth
Posts: 1,869
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We'll see what comes with the install kit. I had already planned on upgrading the bolts if they didn't provide grade 8. I have a hardware store nearby that should have the bolts and the locking nuts.
Any 'tricks' to slipping the hitch in place over the frame?
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12/23/06, 09:43 AM
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Zone 7
Posts: 10,539
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A second person to assist in placing the bolts through while the other person holds the hitch in place is a big help. Otherwise, a floor jack to hold while you insert bolts. If you have to drill is where the difficulty will surface. To drill, I improvise and use a 2x4 to exert pressure on the drill motor while I simply keep the drill motor from rotating and hold the drill in correct position. I attempt to get the hitch in place and use the hitch holes as drill guides. That way it has to fit.
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Agmantoo
If they can do it,
you know you can!
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12/23/06, 10:21 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,693
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by bill in oh
Have any of you installed a receiver hitch on your pickup? I'm wondering if it's worth the $70 they want to install one on my 96 Chevy half ton. Seems like a lot for 6 bolts... or maybe there's more to it than I think...
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It depends on what you're towing. One of those little harborfreight trailers, there's no need. That won't overwhelm the existing bumper hitch at all.
But a car carrier say, now you are overwhelming the bumper hitch and getting things flexing that shouldn't be.
Receiver hitches are also nice if you need to lower the ball, or want to use load extenders or other strange things that you can shove into that square receiver.
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12/23/06, 11:18 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: East TN
Posts: 6,977
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Local salvage yards are usually a waste of time, shop the net. If you use a stronger bolt it will need a higher torque value, adjust accordingly. The hitches don't go over the frame the bolt up from the bottom which is why a jack comes in handy to hold it in place while you install the bolts. Be sure to purchase a Hoppy trailer harness adapter that just plugs in your harness if the truck has no wiring.
__________________
"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self confidence"
Robert Frost
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12/23/06, 11:58 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 10,869
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The one that I instaled was easy. It bolted up without any driling. All that I did was put the bolts in the right hole and then put the hitch up and started the nuts. Then I tightened them. That is all their was to it. It only took about 15 minuits.
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12/23/06, 02:15 PM
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None of the Above
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: NE Kansas
Posts: 1,739
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Be sure to remember if you are laying underneath and have to drill, Wear glasses for eye protective, Button your shirt up to your neck and keep your mouth closed. You can't dance from hot shavings very well if your laying down.
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12/23/06, 03:09 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Earth
Posts: 1,869
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Sounds like it should be no problem - thanks for the replies. The one I ordered is model-specific, should just match the holes from the factory.
Foxtrapper... unfortunately the $70 was just the install - the hitch was in addition to that. I was just trying to decide whether to install it myself or pay them the $70. I really need the receiver hitch for the reasons you cited (and then a few...)
Darn sage advice fixer... Sounds almost like the voice of experience!
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12/24/06, 09:24 AM
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fuzzball in the Cascades
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: State of Jefferson
Posts: 633
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You guys are good!! I've installed a few and it always takes me a total of 20 minutes just to get the spare out and back. And that's not counting the 3 beer breaks.
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