Made a new 3PH trailer hitch (reese)

[jwstewar]

It was a Shelton brand hitch, just like Bullit posted. They used to made down in Amelia, Ohio. I had one on my S10s. I hooked a 36' Park Model camper to mine one time on that little S10 to move it about 100' so we could get another camper out. It held the weight OK and that little S10 moved it OK, but there sure wasn't much weight on those front tires. The Shelton stuff was pretty good made stuff and it was reasonable priced, not sure what happened to they company and why they went belly up. I still have the draw bar and 2" ball I used with that S10. Both have held up well and still look like new.

 

[LD1]

Well, these older square tube hitches definataly make it easier to adapt to a 3PH.

Lots of newer stuff is going to round tube with fancy curves and stuff.

My guess would be shelton didnt have tooling to make fancy hitches, and probably didnt get a big contract from detroit. Back then, most people added hitches to trucks. IT seems now most trucks already come with one, so that likely hurt them. But I am just guessing here...

 

[Xfaxman]

Now where is the fun in that?? No fun, no welder now since we moved
Since you have one though, let me ask this....It looks like the reciever part is only bolted on with two bolts?? is that correct? Yep, 2 grade 8 bolts. I dont know if I would like that or not. I tend to use mine alot skidding logs, by chaining tight and using the 3PH to lift the log and then drag. I like a welded unit for that.

I use it on the Toolcat, so not worried about the bolts.


They make a welded one, called the Combo Hitch.

Combo Hitches - OMNI Mfg LLC

 

[LD1]

I just enjoy making things. And saving money to boot.

IMO, the combo hitch just dont look heavy enough for what I do. I would rather it be a boxed tube for the cross, and those sides where the pins mount just dont look heavy enough either.

If I was just moving trailers it would probably be fine. But I skid logs with mine, so it gets all the force the tractor can muster. And when skidding a big one and using the hitch to lift and add all that weight to the rears, can be alot of force.

Theres probably a dozen plus companies that make a hitch. Since it didnt cost me any money, and only a few hours, I could never justify buying one.

 

[Xfaxman]

My reason for posting was to show the receiver tube at the top.

Back when I had a welder I made one like yours, then had to add a ball for the gooseneck, when I got the first GN trailer.

As far as the Omni Hitch is concerned, the Transformer is stronger than the Combo.