Cracked hitch on a truck

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Well my dad has got a cracked hitch on his truck I was thinking maybe put a jack under it push it back into place wed take it off but he doesn't want to what do you guys think? I'll get a picture for y'all to see. Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:What caused the crack, normal use, abuse, accident?Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Trailer with to heavy of a load on the front wasn't abuse just to much weightSent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:I'd like to see a picture! But normally I drill a hole at each end of the crack. Scarf out the crack, grind clean. Start the weld on one of the drilled holes, weld to the center of the crack. Feather out the stop, and start the next weld on the other drilled hole, and stop, and fill the first weld's crater real good. My gut tells me this hitch may need to be replaced, a picture would sure help!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Alright I'll get one when he gets hereSent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:Its not the receive itself that cracked its the frame that bolts up to the truckSent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:You may want to think about what I said above, but also add an oval or diamond shaped fish plate on both sides of the crack.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
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Reply:I'd jack it into place and tack it. Then I'd remove from the truck and grind or scarf out the crack and full pent weld. I'd add a few triangle gussets to the repair and possibly gusset the other side the same way. That's how I'd do the repair if buying another was not an option.
Reply:Sleeve it with a formed 90 on the inside, put new holes in it through the doubler, and then grind out the crack from the back and use the doubler as a backing for welding up the crack. Weld the doubler to the piece by stitch welding it appropriately. Use E7018 if you've got it. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:You know I think I'd add a piece of angle iron to it. One leg of the angle would extend that bolt flange, and the other leg of the angle iron would be cut on an angle to match hitch plate. That would act like a gusset too.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Buy a new one and bolt it up.  For the time involved to scab it together you would be money ahead in the end.  IMHOMiller Dynasty 200DXMiller 252 Miller 250xMiller Syncrowave 250Miller AEAD200 LegendMiller 375 Xtreme plasmaLincoln WeldPak 100Victor O/A
Reply:What type of welding you equipment do you have to use on this job?
Reply:Yeah we jacked the rear of the truck completely off the ground didn't budge at all Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:What do you think about removing that bolt with the double nut on it. Drive a wedge between the truck frame and the bolt flange on the hitch, to see if that will close up the gap?Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Usually pulls the bolt holes out of shape when these break.
Reply:The weight of the truck itself wouldn't close it up so he's probably gonna get a new hitch and the bolts and holes were fineSent from my XT907 using TapatalkLast edited by Justin Ray Wert; 04-25-2014 at 05:01 PM.
Reply:I think that is the best approach. Now you've got something to add to your scrap pile. GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:http://forum.weldingtipsandtricks.co...php?f=4&t=4803Here's some fun I had on a truck hitch....FWIW,~JohnJust a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Use that old receiver tube for removable stuff on your welding table Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:That's a good idea ha. he doesnt have the money for one right now so he had me stitch the crack I don't know how much good it'll do and I told him that but he's more stubborn then I am Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:Like mentioned by CEP , now unbolt it and add new angle with drilled holes to match existing and weld up.
Reply:Alright I'll have to do that on my dads next days off Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:FYI, too much tongue weight on a hitch IS abuse.   Sent from my SCH-I545 using TapatalkTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by Justin Ray WertThat's a good idea ha. he doesnt have the money for one right now so he had me stitch the crack I don't know how much good it'll do and I told him that but he's more stubborn then I am Sent from my XT907 using TapatalkSince you can't get it back in shape I would skip the angle and cut 2 or 3 triangle shaped gussets, fit them to the hitch and weld them on. One behind the bolt, one in front of the bolt and one behind the unused hole. Then drill and put in the missing bolts. The gussets would fit to the outside the top angle and down the bracket sticking out. Use 3/16 or 1/4" to make them. Make sure you get good full pen welds. I think you will have a hard time getting an angle in there and getting it tight.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Here's what I had in mind. Take something like 4” x 4” x 1/4” angle iron. Rip the one leg to the same width as the bolt flange. Angle cut the other leg to match the angle of the hitch plate. Full pen weld.  Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPHere's what I had in mind. Take something like 4” x 4” x 1/4” angle iron. Rip the one leg to the same width as the bolt flange. Angle cut the other leg to match the angle of the hitch plate. Full pen weld.
Reply:You know welderj, I'm a little surprised hitches don't come with those triangle gussets. In structural iron engineers call for flange to web gussets all the time. Makes no sense they're not welded to these hitches! Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Thanks CEP and welderj those are good ideas and really simpleSent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:Alright showed my dad these ideas finally got him to let me take the hitch off gonna run with one of these ideas but I'm gonna put the gussets on both sides. Ill show y'all what it looks like when I'm done with it monday.Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by Justin Ray WertAlright showed my dad these ideas finally got him to let me take the hitch off gonna run with one of these ideas but I'm gonna put the gussets on both sides. Ill show y'all what it looks like when I'm done with it monday.Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPYou know welderj, I'm a little surprised hitches don't come with those triangle gussets. In structural iron engineers call for flange to web gussets all the time. Makes no sense they're not welded to these hitches!
Reply:Originally Posted by welderjI would imagine it's a cost issue, but if that hitch was used at it's rated capacity it would have been ok. Back in the day when I installed a lot of those I fixed a few just like that on 1 ton and heavier trucks. The extra heavy hitches at the time had the torn part turned around so the flat was even with the outside of the truck frame and had a tie that bolted to the frame web and down further on the torn part so that wouldn't happen.
Reply:Originally Posted by welderjBack in the day when I installed a lot of those I fixed a few just like that on 1 ton and heavier trucks. The extra heavy hitches at the time had the torn part turned around so the flat was even with the outside of the truck frame and had a tie that bolted to the frame web and down further on the torn part so that wouldn't happen.
Reply:I'm not gonna weld on the frame my dads just gonna be more cautious next timeSent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:Well I heard that welding on the frame can ruin it Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by Justin Ray WertWell I heard that welding on the frame can ruin it
Reply:Alright so if I added a gusset to the frame like welderj said I should be fine?Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by Justin Ray WertAlright so if I added a gusset to the frame like welderj said I should be fine?
Reply:That's what I plan on, not a fan of mig, love stick welding. Thanks for all the help guys I'll get it all welded up Monday and show y'all the results.Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by welderjI think your way would work good too, this is what I was thinking. On yours another bolt to the rear in the new angle would be a good idea. I really like seeing how others think about things on this site. Lots of good ideas here.
Reply:When I built this 14-feet flatbed dump for an F-550. I had to notch out the frame and weld in the hinge. Never had a problem. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPWhen I built this 14-feet flatbed dump for an F-550. I had to notch out the frame and weld in the hinge. Never had a problem.
Reply:You could combine both of CEP and Welder Js suggestions for an even stronger hitch mount. Then the frame where it mounts will the weak leak. But you can do a little strengthening there too while the hitch is off.
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauYou could combine both of CEP and Welder Js suggestions for an even stronger hitch mount. Then the frame where it mounts will the weak leak. But you can do a little strengthening there too while the hitch is off.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPWhen I build them, I like to have the bolts go through the web of the truck frame. Bolting to the bottom flange is very weak. Good advice to add the gussets to the truck frame!
Reply:Yeah I doubt he'd haul anything heavy enough to tear up his frameSent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauYou probably used half the weight capacity of the truck when you mounted THAT hitch, if it went on a mere one ton.
Reply:Looks like a Hidden Hitch? Kind of a throwaway hitch anyways pull it off and buy a Curt. Real quality American made product!