Added a trailer hitch.....should it be strong enough to pull a small ATV trailer?

[IQRaceworks]

I decided to make a trailer hitch for our 19ft Zinger trailer. We want to be able to hang a bike rack off the back, and maybe even pull a small ATV trailer (you can double tow in Missouri).

I made this out of 2x2 square tubing with 1/4" wall thickness....pretty heavy stuff. I welded up the whole structure first, and then slid it right in between the frame rails on the trailer....and welded it to the frame in several spots, and also welded it to the factory square tubing bumper in several spots.

Should I have any problem towing a light trailer with this setup? Thoughts?

[harley]

Looks stronger than my truck hitch.....

[Lloyd]

It sure looks like it should do the job. Especially if the frame on your trailer is up to it. Just as an added safety factor, you could drill and bolt thru the hitch and frame. Then it would have to tear the whole back end of the trailer off to get away.

By the way, nice looking job.

[sjk1998]

Very nice looking job.

[TDG]

You can use that hitch to tow a house
Looks great

[Jeffur]

You put the heavy in duty!
You could pull that RV from either end.

[KingFisher]

The only thing that would bother me is if that heavy beast took so much tongue weight away from the front that it caused a fish tailing issue.

[woodwalker]

Excellent welding job
That will definitely hold your bikes

[Papa-T]

Nice beads on those weld jobs. Nice hitch.

[Jeffur]

Fish tail now.
Load the same amount of weight on the front end as you did the back - possibly moving the spare to the front area of move you axles further back

[Jeffur]

Or move your axles further back

[harley]

Originally Posted by Jeffur

Or move your axles further back

OP has an rv / TT, you cannot move axles.

[Jeffur]

If he can build hitches, he can move axles

[BipeFlier]

That hitch is WAY stronger than the Lippert frame!

Keep an eye out for cracking over the suspension mounting points in the future.

[IQRaceworks]

Originally Posted by KingFisher

The only thing that would bother me is if that heavy beast took so much tongue weight away from the front that it caused a fish tailing issue.

If I had to guess, I'd say it probably weights in at around 100lbs. I wouldn't think it would take much weight off of the tongue....but maybe I'm wrong. I guess I could always add a little water to my fresh water tank in the front if it becomes a problem. The aluminum ATV trailer I'm planning on towing with it only has about 80lbs on the tongue when loaded with ATV's.

Either way...I will definitely be doing some test runs with it to see how it handles before I get out on the highway and take it for a long trip.

[2slick]

Good job! I need to build one just to put a rack back there for the generator. Thing is, all the tools are 400 miles away......and I haven't welded in over 10 years. Maybe I can bribe the grandson into doing it.