Tow hitch from Tone Problems

[TucsonVX]

Tone

I was using my tow hitch to pull a stake out of the ground and the loops on
the side of the hitch broke. Also the hitch must of been torque down and
when the loop broke the hitch moved up. I used a breaking bar and my weight
to bend it back down from the rear cladding. I am now concerned about what
I can actual tow with this thing. IE gross weight and what if it bent my mount
plate the bolts stretch?

Jeff

[SPAZZ]

I have one of the hitches Uhaul sells and the loops also broke with light duty too. Plus, when they(uhaul) installed it it was too hard for them to get the 1/2" bolts into the frame and down through the holes...so, they used little tiny 3/8" head bolts(actual bolt size was smaller than it's head).
I used to pull people out from being stuck, tow my '68 Mustang hundreds of miles through the mountains, and also tow trailers. Andy (Swordy) and I decided to remove both of our hitches and cut out 1 1/4" of the steel and then reweld it so t sits higher up and doesn't get chewed by the rocks when offroading. I am VERY glad I did this as those little bolts that Uhaul used were warped and tweeked close to giving in half.
I couldn't imagine what would have happened if my hitch would have fell off and I lost my load or if my trailer came unhooked and those cheep week loops didn't hold.
So, always inspect and reinforce products before installation,use the B(ig)A(**)B(olts), and take the time and patience necessary to do it right. I did put 1/2" bolts now it is way strong and not going anywhere.

[transio]

I haven't installed mine yet. Should I bolt it AND weld it?

[psychos2]

i believe the mount is bolted to a hollow cross member and you may have put enough force on it to bend or crush the it.if you bent the hitch back with a breaker bar something is messed up.check the cross member and the mounting plate.
transio, i had mine welded. i have the dalan hitch.i put 2 bolt in and then had it welded.the choice is up to you. shawn

[Kahuna]

Like Spazz, I also have a UHAUL hitch. My suggestion...if you use it as a bolt on...only use it for.....bike carriers....step bars....jet skis and so on. If you want to tow cars...trucks...GET IT WELDED!

[Maugan_VX]

When I fabbed up my hitch, I put bolts through the bottom of the plate that would prevent the hitch from bending up like this. That and I used a backing plate and 1/4" plate for the mount.

Mine aint goin nowhere.