How to open this up ~ 1/8"?

[SPYDERLK]

Just using a large pry bar with its tip at the root of the "U" would work. When you bear downward only the bottom [bent] member would move because it is unsupported out at its tip where the opposing force would react. A 6' digging bar would work well for this.

 

[square1]

Just using a large pry bar with its tip at the root of the "U" would work. When you bear downward only the bottom [bent] member would move because it is unsupported out at its tip where the opposing force would react. A 6' digging bar would work well for this.

I tried bending back with my 3' pipe wrench (should have mentioned I don't have a 6' pry bar either ) No joy.
Cut a kerf, wedged, overhead welded and its cooling now.
Next up, side & end racks.

 

[k0ua]

I tried bending back with my 3' pipe wrench (should have mentioned I don't have a 6' pry bar either ) No joy.
Cut a kerf, wedged, overhead welded and its cooling now.
Next up, side & end racks.

I guess that solved that problem! it's nice to have some tools that you need isn't it?

 

[Arc weld]

Hopefully you ground all the heavy rust off. The problem with cutting into the plate is that you better make the weld to fill it up is as strong as the original plate. If you don't have a lot of experience and are welding overhead you might have straightened the hitch only to weaken it. :anyone:

 

[square1]

it's nice to have some tools that you need isn't it?

I am guilty of often planning projects around which tools I have

Hopefully you ground all the heavy rust off. The problem with cutting into the plate is that you better make the weld to fill it up is as strong as the original plate. If you don't have a lot of experience and are welding overhead you might have straightened the hitch only to weaken it.

I did considerable prep work of the areas to be welded. Also fabbed up & welded a short foot on the tongue just behind the coupler to absorb future impacts with the ground which should keep it from getting bent again or broken. I admit there was a stalactite that formed when I lost concentration near the end of the overhead weld and that end of the kerf wasn't filled, but that's what grinders are for, right? All in all I think it will suffice for bringing wood out to the road

 

[Sodo]

It surprises me you couldn't bend that straight with a 3 foot pipe wrench, but in any case that tells you it probably won't bend again. Especially with the foot.