Building a Hidden Hitch(september 1997)
Well, the car (Murphy) is still in the garage and I thought now might be a good time to add that hidden hitch. You know the type, it's hidden behind the license plate. The plate folds down when you want to slide in the hitch.
I picked up the square receptacle unit from a trailer supply shop along with the hitch and electrical connectors.
I also went by a metal supply shop and got the steel I'd need (I love working with steel).
In order for the receptacle to fit into the space that I needed, I had to notch the existing rear crossmember. Prior to notching, I welded on a piece of scrap angle iron just to keep things from moving.
I then cut some cardboard that would match the curve of the rear side frame rails. It's always easier to work in cardboard! And it costs less.
The side plates would be welded to the bottom of the frame rails and the square tube cross bar would be welded to them. This placed the cross bar below the frame rails, and yet, it would be hidden by the bumper.
The receptacle was welded (at all edges) to the top center of the cross bar. I then cut pieces of square tube to make side supports that were welded on each side of the receptacle.
I used a floor jack to hold the cross bar with receptacle in place and then held the side plates with one hand (with a welding glove) while tack welding the two together.
Once this was done, I removed the new assembly and welded all of the edges of the cross bar to the side plates.
The two large holes in the steel plate that was added below the cross bar are for the required "safety chain" attachment.
Then the assembly was put back under the car and tack welded in place to the frame rails. I had to remove the gas tank (good idea) to do the finish welding.
This photo shows how I welded some straps between the original cross member and the new cross bar. It also shows the bracked that I made for the center attachment of the rear bumper. It's bolted on to the safety chain plate and can be moved in order to adjust the bumper.
I welded on a bracket for the trailer electrical connector and wired it up. The placement of the connector is rather difficult to get to with the bumper in place, but that's the price for it being hidden.
I got a springed license plate bracket from a junk yard and made a simple bracket for it. The plate folds down. (if it folded up, it would rub on the trailer part of the hitch when you go around a corner)
This is with the plate folded down and the hitch installed.
Job done!! Now all I have to do is get that boat that I want!
Regards... Wes.go back to the "Murphy" page
go to the beginning of my personal home page
I can be reached at:
Wes Vann [email protected]
