View Full Version : front tow hitch
Blocky10
18-08-2016, 15:37
Gave my truck a service and as I had my brothers workshop all to myself decided to make a front tow hitch. Found some 50x50 box and a length of 45mm tube that just happened to be a snug fit inside the box section. Cut the box to fit in against the tie down part, drilled a 13mm hole thorough inline with the hole in the tie down and welded it in place.
Cut a 400mm piece of tube, marked and drilled through this also.
Offered up a tow ball and was too low so found an off cut of 8mm plate and made a riser. Welded all together and painted it smooth hammerite black.
Then made a bung using a piece of smaller box section, drilled the same and welded on a square piece of 5mm plate. Paint and finished. Cut down a stainless bolt, drilled a 5mm hole through for an R clip.
8036
Blocky10
18-08-2016, 15:39
8037
8037
That's awesome mate, will make maneuvering your caravan around a walk in the park :thumb2
Blocky10
18-08-2016, 15:46
Let's hope so. It's 8mtr long and as terranos are narrow, it can be a chore parking it where I store it :thumb2
Blocky10
18-08-2016, 15:50
Can also make different attachments for it too I suppose! It'll be like a Swiss army knife. :lol
Years ago I bought one off a member who lived in Stoke on Trent, made launching and recovery of my boat on it's twin axle trailer much easier. Just over 2 tonne, Total trailer length with boat just over 26'.
There is a download in the workshop area that shows you how to make one.
http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/downloads/workshop/wk32.pdf
Being attached on the nearside gives plenty of forward vision, you push the trailer like a wheel barrow, it goes where you want it to go, you don't have to reverse back and have another go either.
If I recall the thread size into the chassis is a metric fine thread, can't recall the size... could be 12mm fine thread?? not sure.
Rustic
Can also make different attachments for it too I suppose! It'll be like a Swiss army knife. :lol
Have one each side.... snow plough attachment lol
More pics please as liking this idea for my caravan as my gateway I'd 90 degrees from the drive so would make life bit easier
zippy656
18-08-2016, 21:17
More pics please as liking this idea for my caravan as my gateway I'd 90 degrees from the drive so would make life bit easier
Look in download mark, its in there
Blocky10
18-08-2016, 23:27
Have one each side.... snow plough attachment lol
Ha Ha. My brother turned up when was about to bolt on the towball. He suggested fixing a toilet seat to it and called it a bumper dumper!:lol
Look in download mark, its in there
I put the link on post 6.:thumb2
terranosaurusdoug
19-08-2016, 03:42
I like, but no chrome:nenau
jims-terrano
19-08-2016, 07:26
I like, but no chrome:nenau
Theres a national chrome shortage so terranos have to stay manly without it.
Also chrome is reserved for old MG's:thumbs
Blocky10
19-08-2016, 08:43
I put the link on post 6.:thumb2
I welded the box section further back because I didn't want to see it. Also I couldn't find a smaller box section with a thick enough wall to fit inside, but found a good piece of tube. :thumb2
The er chrome guy was on holiday:augie
terranosaurusdoug
19-08-2016, 08:46
I welded the box section further back because I didn't want to see it. Also I couldn't find a smaller box section with a thick enough wall to fit inside, but found a good piece of tube. :thumb2
The er chrome guy was on holiday:augie
Yours looks higher up too so won't catch on rocks etc.
terranosaurusdoug
19-08-2016, 08:48
Theres a national chrome shortage so terranos have to stay manly without it.
Also chrome is reserved for old MG's:thumbs
:lol mine is going for a rust based alternative:lol
Blocky10
19-08-2016, 08:50
Yours looks higher up too so won't catch on rocks etc.
It's mounted in the same place just shorter. Where you see the bolts holding it, that is where I welded mine on. :thumb2
terranosaurusdoug
19-08-2016, 08:55
It's mounted in the same place just shorter. Where you see the bolts holding it, that is where I welded mine on. :thumb2
Yeh it's better shorter. I'm doin something similar with two recovery points, mounting next to tie down then drilling same as tie down hole :thumb2
I noticed in the pic the bash plate is missing, you need to get one of those bud!!
Blocky10
19-08-2016, 09:04
I noticed in the pic the bash plate is missing, you need to get one of those bud!!
mwahahahaha :doh
I'm gonna check out the fixings holes and drill and tap to 8mm I reckon. Then get some shiney stainless bolts.
Cos the chrome guy is on hols :lol
terranosaurusdoug
19-08-2016, 13:46
mwahahahaha :doh
I'm gonna check out the fixings holes and drill and tap to 8mm I reckon. Then get some shiney stainless bolts.
Cos the chrome guy is on hols :lol
I need to drill and tap a couple in mine, have you located them or do you need a pic?
Blocky10
19-08-2016, 13:54
I need to drill and tap a couple in mine, have you located them or do you need a pic?
Haven't looked yet. Located a couple from the photo in the other front hitch thread though.
There's no such thing as too many photos :naughty
terranosaurusdoug
19-08-2016, 13:56
Haven't looked yet. Located a couple from the photo in the other front hitch thread though.
There's no such thing as too many photos :naughty
I'll take some pics of my holes when I get chance and put them in the other thread :D:kissy
zippy656
19-08-2016, 16:24
Haven't looked yet. Located a couple from the photo in the other front hitch thread though.
There's no such thing as too many photos :naughty
Your learning
pics rule!!
Blocky10
19-08-2016, 16:26
Your learning
pics rule!!
Not sure I want to see pics of T-Doug's holes though:eek:
terranosaurusdoug
19-08-2016, 16:27
Your learning
pics rule!!
Don't forget your camera tho :hide:
Blocky10
02-09-2016, 09:50
8101
Front tow bar worked a treat. :clap
Blocky10
02-09-2016, 09:51
8102
How do you see where you are going when driving down roads??
Blocky10
02-09-2016, 10:47
How do you see where you are going when driving down roads??
Lol. Reverse obviously:augie
Lol. Reverse obviously:augie
That makes sense, not sure why I hadn't thought of that :doh
Blocky10
02-09-2016, 11:19
That makes sense, not sure why I hadn't thought of that :doh
Me either! You can even see the extended mirrors that shake so much you can't make anything out!:lol
terranosaurusdoug
03-09-2016, 00:58
Like it :thumb2
Monaro Pete
03-09-2016, 07:07
How do you see where you are going when driving down roads??
PMSL :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol
Lol. Reverse obviously:augie
He replaced his rear diff and didn't realise he put it in upside down, so now he has 1 forward gear and 5 reverse gears lol.
Front tow hitch saves the day. lol
zippy656
03-09-2016, 07:55
Don't forget your camera tho :hide:
As If I would!
Thomas-the-Terrano2
04-09-2016, 08:45
Nice, had one for my first t2, sold it when got a patrol.
used it once but found the time it took to unhitch, turn round then
hitch again plus fiddly on own to align to front ball, suppose with practice
or some kind of marker.
the slide in part had a bend to save the need for a raiser plate.
I also wondered if receiver tube could reduce ground clearance, perhaps
a better design though with more work needed would come out nearer
number plate.
the view down van was great, I found the offside of car was in line with
outside of caravan. quite tempted again now as have found better way to
get caravan into back yard, but does involve more reversing. am also
experimenting with an old motor mover I picked up.
Blocky10
04-09-2016, 09:00
Nice, had one for my first t2, sold it when got a patrol.
used it once but found the time it took to unhitch, turn round then
hitch again plus fiddly on own to align to front ball, suppose with practice
or some kind of marker.
the slide in part had a bend to save the need for a raiser plate.
I also wondered if receiver tube could reduce ground clearance, perhaps
a better design though with more work needed would come out nearer
number plate.
the view down van was great, I found the offside of car was in line with
outside of caravan. quite tempted again now as have found better way to
get caravan into back yard, but does involve more reversing. am also
experimenting with an old motor mover I picked up.
I have a motor mover fitted but it's quicker to spin the truck round by the time I've wound them in to the tyres, plugged in the isolator and then parked it at snail pace draining the battery. Then remove the isolator and unwind the motor off the tyres :doh
The receiver is up against the tie down loop so doesn't reduce ground clearance.
I saw a motor mover while I was away last week that you wound in on a button:thumb2. But then he started to leave site without removing it:eek:
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