2" Receiver mounts

[JamesH]

I am going to add some 2" receivers to some attachments for several different projects as I have seen here on TBN.
What is the correct size square tube to ask for at the metal place?
I saw where someone said you should use DOM because of the seam.
Also there is usually another piece of tube on the very end that creates kind of a lip. What size is that?
Last but not least what size tube actually fits into the receiver?
Knowing the outside dims and thickness should be needed so they telescope correctly.

Am I better off just going to a trailer supply store and buying these parts?
It would seem that making myself, especially if I was making several should be cheaper in the long run.

Thanks,
James

 

[jsborn]

You can buy the pre made 2" receiver mounts at TSC and Lowes home centers for about $6 each. I cant drill the hole and cut the steel for that cost.

Some things are just easier to buy than make !!!!

IMHO

 

[diyDave]

If you go to farm auctions, you can pick up old receiver hitches for scrap prices, and they sometimes have some extra metal attached, that can come in handy!

 

[mboulais]

If you want to buy steel for it, ask for 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 3/16" wall tubing. It will be slightly looser than a premade reciever from lowes or other big box stores, but it works fine. You can't use 1/4" thick walls cuz it they have a weld bead inside and manufacturing tolerances are loose enough that the inside could be several thousands undersize, preventing a 2" square from entering. BTW the mating piece is 2 x 2 x 3/16" wall tubing.

 

[radman1]

The receiver is slightly larger than 2" in diameter and are made in a special process. They are made slightly expanded greater than 2" so that a 2" ball mount will just slide inside. TSC has them but I beleive in the $15-20 range for the shorter ones. I tend to buy the longer ones and cut them off to length. Usually, I can then use the cut off peice for another receiver after drilling another hole. The cut off peice however, won't have the extra reinforced "ring" on the end to give it more strength.
For the ball mount/hitch side, 2" square tubing 1/4" thick is usually heavy enough except for the most demanding situations. Solid 2" square stock can be used for extreme duty. Premanufactured 2" stock with rounded edges can be used or use standard 2" square stock but then the corners have to be rounded off with a grinder so it will fit in the receiver which has rounded inner corners.

 

[JamesH]

Thanks to everyone for your replies.
I have done some checking. TSC sells a 12" piece for $19 something.
I have a trailer parts dealer right around the corner that sells them for $16.20.
My steel dealer sells 2.5x2.5x3/16 for $5.40/ft if I take a whole 24' stick, or 8' for about $7.50/ft.
On the 2x2x3/16, 8' will run me about $5.80/ft.
I can save a bit more if I go downtown but then I am paying for the gas.
All this is hot rolled.
So I am leaning toward just buying the steel. That way I always have scraps around to use on other projects.
Thanks again for all the help and ideas.
James

 

[kbota]

Buyers 2in. Standard Receiver Tube | Hitch Receivers | Northern Tool + Equipment

If this link doesn't work, then go to Pressure Washers, Portable Generators, Mowers, Lawn + Garden | Northern Tool + Equipment , and select item number 330680

I think they have free shipping going on right now. There may be a minimum purchase requirement, so ask to be sure.

Hope this helps

k

 

[pat32rf]

.
"My steel dealer sells 2.5x2.5x3/16 for $5.40/ft if I take a whole 24' stick, or 8' for about $7.50/ft."

I would buy the 8' length of 2.5 if it doesn't have the inner weld. You can find a spot to stick a receiver on most 3pth implements. This saves removing them just to move a trailer around the yard.
I have a collection of slightly used 2x2 tubes that are 6' long that fit over my forks for those longer lifts such as the paddleboat, skidoos (move the forks in so they are just wider than the track, lift from the rear), riding lawn mower, etc

 

[sandman2234]

I went to a automotive junk yard quite a while back, looking for a trailer hitch to fit a Ford truck. The guy said he wanted $20 for the one that I needed. I told him I would give him $10 for everyone I found that wasn't bent or damaged. I took about 10 of them off and tossed them in the truck. They were an eyesore for years out back but I finally used all the pieces or sometimes the whole unit. I guess it is time to go looking for some more of them, but being unemployed, I really don't need to spend too much money.
David from jax

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

Call your steel folks back and see if they have any short cutoff pieces they'll sell you at scrap prices. If they don't, try a recycler. We have both out my way and the steel guys have been known to give away small pieces. (2' or so long)

Much cheaper to buy by the pound than by the foot!