About a hitch?

[tom4bren]

...and I say I like this hitch. Sign me up for one as well, but in a little while --

No problemo.

The intent is to get the product designed & produceable right now. Welder Guy will fabricate as needed (neither of us have deep enough pockets to keep a large stock on hand). Summer is his busy time anyway. As the weather gets more worser, he'll have more time to fab stuff for us.

BTW, still looking for someone who is willing to loan me their brush guard mounting brackets for Welder Guy to copy.

About finding someone willing to sell you their awsome rack ... I have no response to that.

[tom4bren]

Talked to Welder Guy last night. He hasn't started fabricating the final hitch yet. He hopes to get to it later today. Will keep you posted.

[tom4bren]

OK, spent another 2 hours with Welder Guy last night. He's going to have to start over from scratch. We got the hitch tucked in as far as humanly possible (snug against fuel tank shield & frame crossmember). Still couldn't get the cladding to align properly.

Our fall back position is to change from 2" stock tubing with 1/4" wall thickness to 1 1/2" stock tubing with 1/4" wall thickness. This should NOT significantly decrease the strength since we are WAY overdesigning anyway. The main reason that we were trying not to go away from the 2" tubing is that is what he had on hand. He'll be picking up the new tubing and tack a new copy together ASAP. Poor guy had such confidence in the last design that he actually cut enough tubing for 3 hitches. His plasma cutter is FUBAR & his welder is acting up so that's slowing him down too.

Wierd: I've sheered off two of the 10mm bolts on the rear of the cladding. Not sure what that's all about. I've learnt to get the cladding off in 10 min flat. WooHoo!!!

[JAMAS]

Wierd: I've sheered off two of the 10mm bolts on the rear of the cladding. Not sure what that's all about. I've learnt to get the cladding off in 10 min flat. WooHoo!!!

Are you using a high speed air gun to remove the bolts "pit crew" style?

[tom4bren]

Are you using a high speed air gun to remove the bolts "pit crew" style?

Nah, I'm old school - the gorilly approach.

[tom4bren]

Talked to Ron last night. He's got the materials for the next build but his plasma cutter is still FUBAR (replacement coming in from Cali early next week). He hopes to have the final prototype by the end of next week. Will keep you posted.

Tom

BTW, looks like the cost is going to come in around $250 by his latest estimates.

[a745035]

Not bad, considering the "over-engineering" factor with custom nip'tuck fit. My VX currently has NO hitch. Tongue-weight & "flex" with the original Tone hitch has always been the showstopper (no fugly bar... haul w/fugly truck instead) & it's still a concern with 1.5" tubing (Class II?)... but this is an exciting prospect!

Question.. would ALL the tubing be 1.5"? Or just the main lateral support between frame rails? Thinking about re-use of existing 2" bars/balls, hooks & other implements we already have.

Like all here, I look forward to updates and the possibility of hauling with the VX soon!