Tow Hitch - just built this at my buddies house thurs/fri

stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
in Suspension, Braking & Wheels
Well, guys I finally got around to building my custom tow hitch. It turned out even better than I thought it would. The little tow ring on the back was in the way so we just cut it off and replaced it with a 11x5x3/16" plate with 4x 1" grade 8 bolts. We also made a 7x5x3/16" plate with the same 4 holes drilled and bolted it to the other plate that was welded in the car. Now we centered the receiver tube and cut it down to the right length. The 2 tie down brackets on each side of the car also hold the hitch. Each side has 3x 14mm bolts. I'm hoping to pull a 8x6' flat bed trailer with 2 quads on it. I'm hoping to keep everything under 1500lbs. We'll see how I do. I'll be testing the hitch in 2 weeks. I'm going up to my dads, he has a 400lb aluminum trailer and we're going to load up 2 of his quads on it and see if the wagon and pull it decent. If so I'll build my trailer big enough to hold 2 quads. I also have a wiring diagram to convert the lights on the wagon to standard trailer wiring (took me 2 hours to figure out the wiring and draw the wiring diagram). I'll post it here for you guys as well. Here are some pictures of the hitch.

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Comments

  • ogwagonogwagon Wagonist
    Looks pretty solid. Planning on making anymore and selling these after testing?
  • stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
    I might. You'll still have to do some cutting and welding. The way I wanted it there wasn't a way to leave the rear tow loop thingy and just make it straight bolt on. I'm still working on some other ideas though. Once I test this I'll work on it. Also, it only took 2 days to build and paint, so anybody that wants to drive to Boise, ID and have me make one, I'll be more than happy to. I'll even do the wiring too.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    Nice work. It's very similar to the way I did mine, except that yours may be a little MORE robust. You should have no problems towing, as long as you have the torque and the trailer isn't tongue heavy.
  • stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
    I'm going to try and make the trailer so that it has around 50lbs of tongue weight when I have both quads on it. I'm hoping the motor has enough power. D16A6 running 12:1 compression. I'm hoping to get the 2.5" exhaust and header on before Dune Fest in Aug. I also have a stage 2 cam I'm hoping to get and install as well. My biggest worry is getting the wagon and trailer out in the sand. At Dune Fest you have to camp at least 100 ft off the pavement in the sand. Worst case scenario I'll unload the quads and pull the trailer in empty. We'll see. I would so build a wago-camper if I could figure out how to haul 2 quads in it. LOL
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    With 4wd, you should have no problem at all. The camper is 300+/- on the tongue, and I've towed it on some fairly steep gravel pitches with 2wd.
  • BIOHAZARDBIOHAZARD Wagonist
    that is wicked clean tucked under the bumper! if you ever end up making one that is bolt on ill buy one off of you.
    i went to one of the local welding shops and they said it would be like $400-500 (est.) to get a class 2 receiver made to fit the wagon. i hope it hauls like you want it to.
  • doitdubdoitdub familEE
    Very nice work man. Curious what this cost you in supplies...
  • stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
    Materials were CHEAP

    1.25" Receiver tube - $25
    Steel tubing and plates - ~$40
    Safety Chain Ring - $5
    3x relays for wiring - ~$6
    14ga wire - ~$5
    Hammer Texture Black paint - $7
    Grade 8 Bolts - ~$10
    4 wire trailer connector - ~$7

    Total price - ~$105
    Smile on my face after completed and how sick it looks - Priceless
  • 3rd4ce3rd4ce Council Member
    :D
    Great work... on the hitch...!!!!!!

    what other welding modifications do you have in for the wagon.... :?:

    I have a few wild ideas under my hat.....
  • stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
    The only welding things I've got going on right now is building the trailer for the wagon. I eventually want to put an air tank and small Vi-Air (sp) compressor and like 3-5 gallon tank on the trailer as well. I'm going to do a full custom exhaust and custom modded header to fit the RT. Only other thing I can think of right now is a mount for my 10ft flag for when I take the wagon out on the dunes.
  • 3rd4ce3rd4ce Council Member
    ok I know Im sick in the head :roll:
    but
    *I want a swing off tire rack ( stock RT wheel with a 27x9.50R14LT SSR Series of Super Swamper Radial/TSL ) rear modified bumper so I have a full size spare with me always...

    *a winch on the front with a functional modified bumper/ bull bar or brush guard... ( not made of chrome plated aluminum ) :lol:

    *a safari basket on top is a must... I have a set of awesome JCB lights that have 1-H3 bulb, 1-H7 bulb, 1- small parking light bulb, 1- amber turn signal ( HID KITS all the way... )

    Project Scrappy Doo is gonna B a fun one....

    just might have to buy a tow hitch from you
  • BIOHAZARDBIOHAZARD Wagonist
    a little off topic but i was curious as to what kind of welder you were using?
    im interested in buying a welder but am unsure of what to get to make tow hitches and other load bearing devices.
  • sometimesidosometimesido New Wagonist
    nice work! I need to show my roommate this so he could go to work!
  • stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
    I was using a Snap-on wire fed tig welder.
  • cb723cb723 Wagonist
    Nice work bro!!!!
  • Tatty90EE4Tatty90EE4 Wagonist
    Sorry for bringing up an old thread, but I'm curious to know how this worked out? I'm thinking about making one for my wagon to pull a portable tire mounter!
  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    Man, that's beautiful work. You could probably sell those.
  • stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
    The hitch has been working awesome. I have been using it quite a bit lately. I've pulled around 1200 lbs behind me (my trailer and 2 400lb quads) on the freeway doing around 70mph. I haven't had any problems with it. Probably driving over 1000 miles while towing without any problems.
  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    Please make more of them
    :D
  • Tatty90EE4Tatty90EE4 Wagonist
    stampern wrote:
    The hitch has been working awesome. I have been using it quite a bit lately. I've pulled around 1200 lbs behind me (my trailer and 2 400lb quads) on the freeway doing around 70mph. I haven't had any problems with it. Probably driving over 1000 miles while towing without any problems.

    Thanks for that update!!
  • MrWhoopeeMrWhoopee Wagonist
    This is exactly what I'm looking for. I have the skills and access to equipment, any chance of getting a sketch/drawing with the necessary info?
  • stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
    Most of the info is in my first post. All of the measurements were done pretty much on the fly though. If you wanna chat on the phone, pm me your number and I'll call you via google voice (unless you live outside the USA). Also lemme know when a good time to call and stuff is.
  • olsonskiolsonski Wagonist
    Awesome job!
  • JackVJackV Wagonist
    thats legit. i live like 50 miles away. if your down when i get some money we should get one going on my rt.
  • stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
    Sounds good to me. I don't have access to the same welder anymore, but I'm sure I could track one down.
  • olsonskiolsonski Wagonist
    Yes make some more!
  • stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
    Each one pretty much has to be hand made for each car or I would pretty much try to mass produce them. :( But I don't have a problem helping people if they want one.
  • RX729RX729 Band Wagon
    Just curious if you had passengers and cargo in the car? If yes, Did the Civic Wagon have a hard time on the fwy or was it okay? Thanks.


    stampern wrote:
    The hitch has been working awesome. I have been using it quite a bit lately. I've pulled around 1200 lbs behind me (my trailer and 2 400lb quads) on the freeway doing around 70mph. I haven't had any problems with it. Probably driving over 1000 miles while towing without any problems.
  • stampernstampern Senior Wagonist
    I usually have at least 2 adults in the car, for my big trip I had 2 adults, all my camping gear for a week and the 2 quads. The wagon struggles at speeds over 70-75 with both quads on there, but other than that it does awesome.
  • CrxandwagovanCrxandwagovan Wagonist
    That's sick dude your definitely a good guy to know for future plans for my wagon
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