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Old 06-17-2021, 11:51 PM   #20
79vette
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Sandy, UT
Posts: 191
Re: Square Body Crane Truck

I need to get a hitch setup for this truck that will work with my trailer, and I am hoping someone will have some input.

My trailer coupler is adjustable, but it uses bolts with nylon locknuts to hold it in place. I will be frequently switching the trailer between vehicles, and would prefer something a bit easier to adjust. I think replacing the bolts with something like this gets me where I want to be.
https://www.mcmaster.com/91594A315/
Thoughts on safety, or other opinions? Currently the bolts clamp up on the C channel bracket on the trailer, and the lunette ring is floating freely on them (1/8" clearance each side). It seems like the bolt is basically acting as a pin in this application to me, so I dont see a problem with this idea.


These are the bolts I want to replace with pins:
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My blazer is lifted, and to get the coupler at the same height on the flatbed I would have to somehow get the receiver above the rear frame crossmember or use an absurdly long drop hitch adapter upside down. Neither option seems great, and I definitely built the trailer with an adjustable coupler on purpose and I'd like to use that feature.
This is the hitch position on the K5:
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And this is where it would have to go on the flat bed to match:
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View from the bottom:
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For the actual hitch itself, all the options appear to bolt to the bottom flange of the frame. Are there any out there that bolt to the web? Drilling the frame flange doesn't seem like a great idea to me, but that seems to be how all the commercial hitches work.
This is the one I was thinking about getting:
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...leID=198722501
__________________
1988 "Crane Truck" C30 - 350, SM465, with a 15' knuckle crane - thread
1986 M1009 - 6.2 Diesel, SM465, 2 speed aux trans, NP205 - thread
1979 Corvette - 350 T5
1977 Jimmy - 350, TH400, NP203
1982 Blazer - 350, 700R4, NP208 - Totalled, now a parts truck
Scratch built 16' flatbed trailer - thread

Last edited by 79vette; 06-18-2021 at 12:01 AM.
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