Weight distribution hitch removal and storage

[happy2rv]

I got tired of having to lift and carry my weight distributing hitch around to install and remove it from the truck. It's also quite awkward to store because it doesn't balance well enough to reliably stand up on its own. I looked around for a while and didn't see any solutions. So I began to think about making my own. I kicked around fabricating something out of steel tubing with casters. But I kept putting it off.

I ran across an ad from harbor freight with this mechanics seat in it and thought that looked about the right height. So I picked one up with a 20% off coupon. It's working out pretty well. I assembled it per the instructions except I replaced the seat on top with a 2x10 that I had in the garage and cut a slot just wide enough for the shank of the hitch to slide in. It would be nice if the height were somehow adjustable, but this works out to just the right height when my truck is parked in my driveway. I will probably add a bungee or some type of strap to hold the hitch in place, but for now its just sitting there and is pretty stable.

Now I just roll this up to the back of the truck, slide the shank into the receiver, install the locking pin, and roll the cart away. When I'm done, I reverse it and roll the cart with hitch on it into a corner of the garage. Side benefit, I don't end up with nearly as much grease on my hands and clothes because I don't have to lift and maneuver that beast.



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[happy2rv]

opnspaces wrote:
I suppose if the height is not right you could always add another piece of wood, or maybe even use a router to lower it slightly.

You can. The problem is that the truck receiver height isn't always a constant. My driveway has a very slight incline and my hitch lines up nearly perfectly with this if I'm pulled into my driveway facing forward. If I'm backed in, the hitch is a little lower. I also have air suspension, so depending on how it's set when I go to hook up, it can change the height. It's not a big deal, I can lift the hitch a little bit as I pull it out, but it would be nice if it was adjustable. Probably not worth the effort, but nice.

I'm sure most peoples hitch height will be slightly different and It should be pretty easy to either add spacers under the 2x10 or add additional wood on top as necessary for additional height or cut the 2x10 to go around the upright support bars and mount it under the supports to lower it.

[opnspaces]

cavie wrote:
I leave mine attached to the trailer.

As far as leaving the head locked in the tongue, how do you line up to hookup? Do you have a second person to guide the stinger into the receiver while you back up? How do you line up the hitch pin?

[opnspaces]

I love the idea and can relate as I also have an Equal-i-zer and those heads are heavy. I suppose if the height is not right you could always add another piece of wood, or maybe even use a router to lower it slightly.

[happy2rv]

Lynnmor wrote:
The video comment was not directed at you.

Understood. Thanks.

I was suggesting it may be plausible for cavie to do this. The Hensley line of hitches don't have a ball connection. It doesn't seem like it would be fun lining up and attaching but I guess a lot of people seem to like the Hensley line of hitches. If he's using a hitch with a ball, I think it could still be done but that would add a whole dimension of complexity... It would be interesting to see 🙂

[Lynnmor]

happy2rv wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:

cavie wrote:
I leave mine attached to the trailer.

I want to see the video!

Thanks to everyone for the positive comments. I hope it saves some backs. I know I got tired of carrying that thing around and I haven't even tried when I was having back problems.

I don't see any reason it wouldn't work to leave it hanging. The ball is securely attached when the trailer is locked on. Otherwise it would disengage when your trailer hit a good bump. However, I prefer to keep mine out of the elements when not being used between trips. At campgrounds and when traveling, I leave the hitch on the truck.

I don't see any reason to have that much weight hanging from the A frame. Too each their own.

The video comment was not directed at you. What I want to see is cavie backing into, and pulling out of the receiver with the hitch attached to the trailer.

You have a good idea and I am sure that some will benefit from it.

[happy2rv]

Lynnmor wrote:

cavie wrote:
I leave mine attached to the trailer.

I want to see the video!

Thanks to everyone for the positive comments. I hope it saves some backs. I know I got tired of carrying that thing around and I haven't even tried when I was having back problems.

I don't see any reason it wouldn't work to leave it hanging. The ball is securely attached when the trailer is locked on. Otherwise it would disengage when your trailer hit a good bump. However, I prefer to keep mine out of the elements when not being used between trips. At campgrounds and when traveling, I leave the hitch on the truck.

I don't see any reason to have that much weight hanging from the A frame. Too each their own.

[Lynnmor]

cavie wrote:
I leave mine attached to the trailer.

I want to see the video!

[webwrangler]

happy2rv wrote:
I got tired of having to lift and carry my weight distributing hitch around to install and remove it from the truck. It's also quite awkward to store because it doesn't balance well enough to reliably stand up on its own. I looked around for a while and didn't see any solutions. So I began to think about making my own. I kicked around fabricating something out of steel tubing with casters. But I kept putting it off.

I ran across an ad from harbor freight with this mechanics seat in it and thought that looked about the right height. So I picked one up with a 20% off coupon. It's working out pretty well. I assembled it per the instructions except I replaced the seat on top with a 2x10 that I had in the garage and cut a slot just wide enough for the shank of the hitch to slide in. It would be nice if the height were somehow adjustable, but this works out to just the right height when my truck is parked in my driveway. I will probably add a bungee or some type of strap to hold the hitch in place, but for now its just sitting there and is pretty stable.

Now I just roll this up to the back of the truck, slide the shank into the receiver, install the locking pin, and roll the cart away. When I'm done, I reverse it and roll the cart with hitch on it into a corner of the garage. Side benefit, I don't end up with nearly as much grease on my hands and clothes because I don't have to lift and maneuver that beast.

You, sir, are a genius. I am getting one of those carts very soon!

[cavie]

I leave mine attached to the trailer.

[Lynnmor]

I bought a Harbor Freight dolly and keep all the hitch parts on it. It is low so I simply roll it under the tongue. I use my lift tool to install the hitch head into the receiver using one hand.

[RICK-ards_Red]

Nice, what a great idea. It's not just the grease but the weight to carry it - Backs will thank you!!

[Lwiddis]

Great idea!

[Dick_B]

Very clever; I say again Very clever.

[DutchmenSport]

(five thumbs-up!)