Installation of 2" Hitch & Bike rack Pictures

[AlanTravis]

The receiver fits on the bottom of the cross member and I paid $50.00 for the whole Ass. to be powdercoated.


I now have 4 months and 12,900 miles on the car/hitch. I have had bikes,pulled a large Jet Ski, Towed my 2500 pound Diamond DA-40 Aircraft
for over a mile, pulled 16 foot enclosed Wells Cargo trailer for 5 miles,Used floor jack under receiver to lift entire rear of car for rear tire change.


Thanks,,,,,Alan Travis

[Harleyduo]

Alan,
Have you considered going commercial with your design and making it available to others as a pre-fab kit? I suspect there are a lot of us out here that would really like to have the exact 'solution' you have 'invented' but don't feel we have the expertise or availability to all the necessary components involved in putting it all together.

Perhaps even if you are not interested in doing it, yourself, you could partner up with somebody else who could make it happen and you could still profit as a partner. Sooner or later somebody will most likely bring forth such a project so perhaps this is your chance to get a jump on things.

[mike-in-sa]

Hey Alan, thanks for your how-to post. Last Tues. I installed a hitch on my smart using your photos. I have a small (5x6) trailer to carry 2 motor scooters. The smart pulls it just fine. 4th of July we will have our two smarts in the local parade. I plan to tow the trailer with our dogs and nephews riding on the trailer.

[mike-in-sa]

Here's the finished product.

[AlanTravis]

Good Job Mike and Lilsmart,

You should gain a lot of utility with a a couple hours spent of your time.


Thanks for the advice Harleyduo, but I am hap-illy retired and have no
need for income.

Thanks, Alan Travis

[wrumbarger]

When you "box" in the frame can (or should) you remove/scrape/sandblast the original part down to bare metal before welding?

I don't know much about welding, but it would seem that you would get better "adhesion" to bare metal?

[AlanTravis]

I use a TIG welder setup. It creates no slag or mess. I Just sand the area I need to weld ,then after welding I use a wire brush to remove the paint that got too hot next to the weld.

.....................Thanks,....Alan

[mike-in-sa]

I did tow my two jetskis to the gas station to fill them up. The smart is really good for moving them around. I can park them so much easier than I can with my truck.

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by mike-in-sa

I did tow my two jetskis to the gas station to fill them up. The smart is really good for moving them around. I can park them so much easier than I can with my truck.

Pictures, we want pictures?

[Andrewlcox]

Alan and Mike,

I have taken the cross member off the car and taped cardboard to the cross member so the welder can cee what needs done. My two questions are 1. the length of the receiver, I don't want it too long but it can't be too short either. and 2. Do I have to bolt it to the cross member or can the 1 3/4" angle iron just be welded to the cross member?

Thanks, I'm planning on taking it to the welder in the morning.

Andy