Anyone modify their BW Hitch release arm?

[ETCrockett]

I have a 2009 F-450 DRW and I stand about 5'8". The only way I can remove the pin and open the jaws on my BW hitch is with a step stool. I was wondering if anyone has done any mods to make it easier to pull the bar forward to open the jaws? If not, I'll keep using the step stool until I think of something clever!

[Cummins12V98]

laknox wrote:

richheck wrote:
YouTube video of modification,you may be interested in.

Link to video of modification

I like the lube plate attached to the hitch plate, too. :B

Lyle

CUTE idea but lets see that with a lock. As far as the slip plate goes mine stays tight to the bottom of the inbox/kingpin.

[laknox]

richheck wrote:
YouTube video of modification,you may be interested in.

Link to video of modification

I like the lube plate attached to the hitch plate, too. :B

Lyle

[fj12ryder]

richheck wrote:
YouTube video of modification,you may be interested in.

Link to video of modification

Now that's a very simple way to do it. It seems unlikely the longer pin would bounce out of the hole once underway. Good execution.

[richheck]

YouTube video of modification,you may be interested in.

Link to video of modification

[Vette_Racer]

Thanks to all that gave me the info to post this. I said earlier that I used 6 magnets, wrong, it was 4, could use 6 if you want but 4 is plenty.

[BarneyS]

Don't need an online hosting service to post pictures on these forums. See the post above this one for the URL of the app.

Simply upload your picture to the app.
Copy the resulting URL.
Paste that URL into a post without making ANY alterations.

Your picture will then appear and be properly sized for use on the forums.
Barney

[Me_Again]

Vette Racer wrote:

dedmiston wrote:

Vette Racer wrote:
I had the same problem even though I use a milk crate to stand on, my solution was to drill a couple of holes on the release arm and installed a long flat steel bar to the arm so it extends almost to the bed rail, mounted six rectangle magnets on the bar and took a piece of 1/4 inch round steel, bent it 4 inches in to form a ninety degree end that goes through the locking hole and it lays on the magnets to keep it in place and can be used to reach the hole for locking the arm open as well.

Those dually fenders, especially on the Ram makes it hard to get to anything while standing outside the bed, even on a step, when you're short and fat and old. LOL

Do you have any pictures of this?

I have some but can't figure out how to get them here, they are on my IPhone and computer. I don't have any on line hosting service either.

Per RV.net instructions go here http://photoposting.is-great.net/ and upload them. It gives you a url to paste into a post.

[Vette_Racer]

dedmiston wrote:

Vette Racer wrote:
I had the same problem even though I use a milk crate to stand on, my solution was to drill a couple of holes on the release arm and installed a long flat steel bar to the arm so it extends almost to the bed rail, mounted six rectangle magnets on the bar and took a piece of 1/4 inch round steel, bent it 4 inches in to form a ninety degree end that goes through the locking hole and it lays on the magnets to keep it in place and can be used to reach the hole for locking the arm open as well.

Those dually fenders, especially on the Ram makes it hard to get to anything while standing outside the bed, even on a step, when you're short and fat and old. LOL

Do you have any pictures of this?

I have some but can't figure out how to get them here, they are on my IPhone and computer. I don't have any on line hosting service either.

[dedmiston]

Vette Racer wrote:
I had the same problem even though I use a milk crate to stand on, my solution was to drill a couple of holes on the release arm and installed a long flat steel bar to the arm so it extends almost to the bed rail, mounted six rectangle magnets on the bar and took a piece of 1/4 inch round steel, bent it 4 inches in to form a ninety degree end that goes through the locking hole and it lays on the magnets to keep it in place and can be used to reach the hole for locking the arm open as well.

Those dually fenders, especially on the Ram makes it hard to get to anything while standing outside the bed, even on a step, when you're short and fat and old. LOL

Do you have any pictures of this?

[Cummins12V98]

Thanks for the compliments!

Ok, here are more pics of the mechanics of my custom step. I don't care if anyone builds one of these but only for your "personal" use as I have this design documented in many places as MINE.

The step sets on 1.5" sq tube. The sleeve is custom made out of two pcs of angle to give about 1/16" slop around the tube.

There is a bolt hole already in the bed crossmember that I bolted the top angle to. The drilled hole was to add another bolt. Later designs I simple added a couple self drilling screws in that are to the crossmember thru the angle for stability.

What i like about this is I can easily reach into my toolbox and hitch from this one location and it tucks away being almost invisible.

[Lar_s]

Here is my step.... though I admit, I do use a stool once in a while just for an easier reach.

[Cummins12V98]

I will post more info tomorrow.

[Wood_chip]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
No one makes one of these that places the pad right in from of the wheel to make it easy to reach the hitch handle, so I fabricated this. Works great to get into my tool box also. No ladder to pack around!

Nice work!

[Keithk3628]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
No one makes one of these that places the pad right in from of the wheel to make it easy to reach the hitch handle, so I fabricated this. Works great to get into my tool box also. No ladder to pack around!

Great idea, tried to quote this in previous post but didn't work, Thanks for any more info or pic's