Help Trailer Hitch for 79-87 (91) K10 Trucks.

[blazing816]

Okay, so my rust bucket truck had what I thought was a nice class IV hitch on it (mind you never really stared at it from underneath). Now that I have the engine running like a champ, and transmission working like a champ (305, holly 600, TH350). The problem is I was looking to replace the bumper cause honestly it looked bad. Well then I notice the hitch was attached to the bumper with to huge blots and a U-shaped thick steel plate welded to the bumper. So I got under the truck and clean the dirt and rust away and the hitch looks homemade. I am a little worried about towing things now or even taking the bumper off if it is helping the hitch.

I was just wondering if some people could post pictures of how there hitch is mounted to the frame so I know mine is okay or if I could un weld it and buy a real one to put on....so I can tow my 20" travel trailer.

Thanks

Picture of my hitch....dont have one of underneath right now.

[DustyRusty]

I don't think a bumper hitch like that would be adequate for towng a 20' trailer.

I don't have any pictures of a hitch but here is a link to the Draw-Tite site that shows various models.  Probably the most common is a Class 3 hitch.  Study the spec's on the site and then decide:

     http://www.draw-tite.com/content/default.aspx

[Captkaos]

The ones that mount to the frame have "ears" that got in or around the frame directly.  Don't have a picture right now.

[zieg85]

Here is one I have prepared for my C30.  It is sandblasted and has a 2K epoxy and a 2K mid gloss poly on it.  It was a nasty pitted mess when I started.  Please excuse the dust it is in my office/parts shed on the floor.

[blazing816]

<DustRusty> I am not towing with the ball on the bumper....the receiver hitch (square hole) under it was what i was talking about..

<zieg85> Thanks thats bassically what i was looking for was jsut a picture of a bought one, because I know they are always bolt on and I can tell mine is homemade (like alot of other things on my truck) because it was welded on. HOwever from your pic, I actully think mine looks sturdier, I may just weld a support bracket on and maybe even just box in the end portion of my frame so that I really know it is sturdy.

Thanks alot for the replies.

[werewolfx13]

Biggest thing to worry about with a home built welded on hitch, is you don't know the skill level of the welder. Contaminated welds don't break when you put a light load on em, they break at the worst possible moment..