Factory type and look 2" Rxr Hitch.

[AlanTravis]

This hitch setup uses 2 x 3 inch thick wall square tubing. The tubing is 1/4 inch thick. The flat plate shown in the pictures is 6 " by 8" by 1/2 inch thick cold rolled steel plate.The frame flanges are 1/4 plate.
The New cross member uses the threaded boss's and 4 original bolts and uses two additional 3/8 grade 8 bolts thru the third hole in the frame on each side.
The tow hook bosses were cut from the original sheet metal cross member and welded in place. The receiver and chain hooks are made from forged d-rings and Square tubing. The clearance to the stock engine exhaust is about one half inch and ground clearance is 10".

The stock cross member is not used and the New One weighs about 20 pounds more than the original.

The rear Valence is a S-Mann unit ,and is avail from many sources.


The metal parts required cost about $65.00 and this setup requires about 2 and a half hours fabrication and R&R time.

This hitch will support or pull ANYTHING the SMART can deal with.

Here is a link to the pictures and thanks to Robert http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/gal...mages.php?c=33




Thanks,,,,,Alan Travis

[AlanTravis]

I have not found anyone yet who will send me an E-Mail address for me to send my 500 KB total, of 8 pictures to post on this thread , But I have posted 4 of them to the Photo Gallery.


These are posted under(( Heavy Duty 2 Inch Rxr Hitch))). This is under the heading EXTERIOR MODIFICATION

There are 12 pictures if you click on "see all Alan Travis's Pictures"

Thanks,....Alan Travis

[KP4-smart]

Alan, do you have a direct link to the pictures you posted? I went to the Photo Gallery and didn't see any of your pictures in the Exterior Modification thread.

Just in case, take a look at the following thread which discusses how to post pictures on the gallery and shows how to link them to your post.

Looking forward to your mod. Thanks!

[KP4-smart]

Great! I see they're' up. Link to Gallery Photos.

The S-Mann Valance fits to a T. Looks like a center exhaust.
Anyway. I wonder if it's possible to position the hitch higher and to use a smaller tube in order to accommodate a center exhaust? Great job! Thanks for sharing.

[smart fortimo]

That's a beautiful, clean look! Good on ya'!

Cheers,
Timo

[AlanTravis]

Thanks for all your help!!! KP4-smart

When you go to the "gallery" , click on see "all Alan Travis's pictures" and you can see 12 pictures.

I took more time try-ing to post the pictures than to make the hitch setup.


I should just stay in the shop and drive my smart cars. One side effect is that this rear cross member seems to make my second smart much more stable on bad roads. It must make the rear clip more like a subframe.

I posted how I made the reinforced stock "boxed" rear cross member in February. That Smart now has 14,000 miles on and it still works fine.

I have a bike tour event to ride in Germany Saturday so I may be slow to respond to questions.

Thanks, Alan Travis

[AlanTravis]

Here is a link to pictures. Exterior Modifications Gallery - Smart Car of America Gallery





And thanks to Bob Krisher
U-Haul Hitch Super Center
Beaverton, Oregon 97005

For helping me post the pictures and link.