The Van's and Receiver Hitches: The SAGA.... - Diesel Forum

Kaliburz · 03-15-2009, 09:31 PM

Well, both vans (1990 and 1999) have hitches now. I bought one for the 1990 originally (from JC Whitney- Curt hitch). Long story short, even though it says it fits from a 1980-2006 van, my frame on the 90 was strange. Mounting the hitch "correctly" would have left the last hole over a curved portion of frame (strange- even Curt says it shouldn't be that way). A local place mounted it for me, but they got it wrong. Hitch was actually 6-8" under the bumper. I told them to redo it but their concern of the last mounting hole not being firmly on the frame had me rethink it. So had them custom build one. Prob. cost me more, but oh well..... man, it's a heavy hitch. I could prob. tow 15K with it and not worry!

(I'll post pic when my camera behaives). The shop that built it builds stuff for farms, loggers and other customers.... they even have a forge!

When they build something..... it's over built (I sware the back end of the van feels heavy). They stretch or shorten semi trucks frames for logging and other stuff.... guys know their stuff.

So, the hitch I bought is now partly mounted on the 1999. I'll have to have two holes drilled for the front mounting holes ( I don't like drilling under a vehicle....bad experiance once). Any how, I noticed that I had a 4 way flat connector under bumper and it extened to a connecter under the frame near the rear axle. Is this the 4 way flat set up w/ the relays for a tow package? It doesn't look like it had a hitch on it before...... Did have to lower the tire to get it to mount..... didn't finish since I needed some spacers and I think the guys didn't give me extra two (I'll use some flat washers....) Plus, windy has heck today..... working out in the car port ugg.

carringb · 03-17-2009, 02:53 AM

The 4-way does not use relays, but have separate fuses under the hood in the power distribution box. WHere that connects above the rear axle, you should find another connecter. This is for trailer power, backup lights, and brakes. THose circuits are on relays. You can buy a Ford 7-way that will plug into this and the 4-way connector, or just run your won wires and use a universal 7-way. I went with Ford. cleaner, and better sealed from weather.

Kaliburz · 03-18-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carringb

The 4-way does not use relays, but have separate fuses under the hood in the power distribution box. WHere that connects above the rear axle, you should find another connecter. This is for trailer power, backup lights, and brakes. THose circuits are on relays. You can buy a Ford 7-way that will plug into this and the 4-way connector, or just run your won wires and use a universal 7-way. I went with Ford. cleaner, and better sealed from weather.

I'll prob. get one from the dealer... a Ford 7 way. Is their 7 way the RV flat type or the older Ford type socket (bascially like a semi truck socket???) Most of the trailers I have used the older Ford OEM plug from the mid 1990's.

carringb · 03-19-2009, 07:37 PM

The Ford 7-way is the standard blade-style RV plug. It even has the pin positions labeled on the little cover door.

Kaliburz · 03-20-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carringb

The Ford 7-way is the standard blade-style RV plug. It even has the pin positions labeled on the little cover door.

Dang. I guess I'll have to splice in an older style plug and mount on the other side....

Does anyone remember the older style plug that Ford use to use back in the mid 1990's or earlier?

Kaliburz · 03-21-2009, 11:30 PM

Finished mounting of the hitch on the 1999. Three holes lined up, so I put bolts there and bought an extra for the forth hole. I faced my 'fear' of drilling

under vehicles in frames. I ended up using a cordless drill- so I knew there was not enough power to twist me around in circles in case the trigger lock was engaged (plus, cordless drill has no trigger lock).

Now, just the wiring... and to buy a brake controller for them now.

clapsrm · 03-22-2009, 01:41 PM

Anybody have a hitch on the front? I am considering this to put a bike rack on the front while pulling the camper. Camper is too low in the back to get one there, I wouldn't be able to back up my driveway. Concerned with the plastic flashing on front bumper and wind resistance from bikes on front.

beaker · 03-22-2009, 08:58 PM

I found a front hitch on E-bay that just showed up last Friday; I will have to find the appropriate Grade 5 mounting hardware before I mount it, but I don't think it entails clearancing the plastic trim on the bottom of the bumper. I measure the top of the 2" receiver to be 4.5" below the bottom of the frame.

Have you considered mounting the hitch receiver to the top side of your travel trailer's bumper? It might provide the clearance you need.

Kaliburz · 03-23-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaker

I found a front hitch on E-bay that just showed up last Friday; I will have to find the appropriate Grade 5 mounting hardware before I mount it, but I don't think it entails clearancing the plastic trim on the bottom of the bumper. I measure the top of the 2" receiver to be 4.5" below the bottom of the frame.

Have you considered mounting the hitch receiver to the top side of your travel trailer's bumper? It might provide the clearance you need.

Now I'd love to see pics of it before install. Might I ask who manufactured it? Seems like an interesting item....

carringb · 03-23-2009, 05:12 AM

Mine is part of my bumper. You can just see it below the winch.

Bikes on the front don't seem to add much drag. But, can sometimes decrease airflow. Keeping an eye on trans temps is always good.

Worst part is the headlight glare coming off the bike rims at night.

I have seen many on class C's, and the amount of trimming is minimal. I've also seen some un-trimmed. They just bent the plastic instead.

BlueMuleTrucking · 03-23-2009, 05:24 AM

ClapsRM, I believe I've seen you cruising with the camper up and down the expressway. If you see me(hard to miss I believe I'm the only one with my exact truck on the Island) give me a holler!
Carringb, That's a mean looking van!

clapsrm · 03-26-2009, 06:43 AM

Have you considered mounting the hitch receiver to the top side of your travel trailer's bumper? It might provide the clearance you need.[/quote]

I don't have the normal bumper on my camper. It is only 1 and 1/2 inch wide and attaches right to the frame and the way the camper is built with and angle at the bottom in the back the bumper is almost under the camper. I will take some pick of it so you can see. I have thought about putting a receiver right inbetween the frame and through the bumper.

The temperature thing doe worry me about a front hitch. Is there such a thing that you mount in the hole for the ball on the back bumper of the van?

van_350sd · 03-27-2009, 01:54 PM

The bikes on the front of the rig will be a problem at HWY Speeds.

if you could put the bikes in the rear of the camper it will avoid the wind resistance problem.

Can you remove the tires from the bikes and put them inside the camper?

Or a roof rack system may be an option. the Thule Aerodynamic systems are great.

carringb · 03-27-2009, 03:21 PM

I have put on tens of thousands of miles with bikes on the front. Never been a problem other than the headlight glare I already mentioned.

Putting bikes on the rear of a TT will ruin all moving parts in short order. The road grime that gets kicked up in the rear will work it's way into every bearing/bushing/cable etc.

beaker · 03-27-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaliburz

Now I'd love to see pics of it before install. Might I ask who manufactured it? Seems like an interesting item....

Mine is a Reese, but it looks identical to the Draw-tite that is pictured in the photos on etrailer.com

I used their installation instructions to determine what I need to use to install it.