lowering ball hitch?

[mbulriss]

In reviewing some old pictures of Stagecoach, I believe the receiver
was welded to the *bottom* of the existing ball mount plate, rather
than on the top as stated in my first response. As I now recall, the
chrome brace from the bumper to the hitch plate precluded welding the
2" receiver on top of the plate. In any event, it was very secure and
I towed many much heavier loads than a CRV.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@...>
wrote:
>
> Rose Mary,
>
> You need to go to a competent trailer hitch shop. The standard plate
> style hitch on the old Birds was rated for plenty of strength to otw
> about any reasonable load, much less a rolling small toad.
>
> Here's what I did on my 83 PT (and most other people did the same when
> converting). I bought a standard 2" tow hitch receiver. I removed
> the ball from the current mounting plate, it's just screwed on with a
> big nut on the bottom, and then had a welding shop weld the receiver
> to the top of the plate where the current ball mounts. I think I paid
> the welding shop $15-20. You can then go to a good trailer supply
> place and get whatever length drop mount you need to assure a level
> fir at the height that BlueOx recommended. See this site to examples
> of drop hitches available: http://www.etrailer.com/c-BM.htm
>
> Get the proper drop hitch (at least a class IV in my opinion), insert
> it in the receiver, screw in the ball and hook the toad up. The load
> distributing drop hitches are god if you need to adjust the ball
> height for several different types of loads or toads requiring
> differing ball heights, but they are a tad more work when adjusting
> the heights.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Mike Bulriss
> 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> San Antonio, TX
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Rose Mary"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi group
> >
> > Just went thru getting a blue ox system set up so I can tow a CRV
> > behind the bird.....
> > I had ordered the aladdin for ease of use and weight..
> > I took the coach by so they could see/measure etc. I was told with the
> > rollers etc and current hitch (which I told them could go away) the
> > mounting plate for the 2" receiver wouldn't work, would need some
> > major modifications $$$. Went for a second opinion, ditto.
> >
> > Ok I had the acclaim style sent. In the meantime the CRV was set up
> > with wiring and baseplate. When the acclaim came in yesterday I took
> > it and the coach in. Problem, the bird's hitch is too high and the
> > ball is also about 2" extra high. They couldn't get the ball off and
> > didn't have time( were short handed as well as Short Friday) to torch
> > the ball off and repair any possible collateral damage. Changing the
> > ball alone would only gain about 2 inches or less. @#!@#
> >
> > There is about a foot rise, blue ox recommends only 7" max. How can I
> > get a drop hitch type setup.....I have a welder but my skills with it
> > are minimal and physically not up to it right now.
> >
> > Have to head to Bend tomorrow for a 2 week job then was supposed to go
> > to Washington for another. Bend is about a 4 hour drive and they told
> > me it would be okay.....don't want to damage anything....#@!#
> > I get so tired of incompetency, anyway with all you folks towing,
> > didn't think it was such a problem with the bird. Is this hitch a
> > factory setup? Heavy channel iron welded to the frame and bolted to
> > the bumper?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Rose Mary
> > 82 FC 35
> > Oregon
> >
>