How would you build this?

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I've got an idea to build a trailer hitch for my car, a Corolla.  Toyota conveniently put 4 weld nuts in the back of the frame of the Corolla for easy hitch attachment, so no welding to the car is required.  The construction itself appears fairly straightforward (no funny angles or anything like that).  Here is an installation guide for a store-bought hitch:http://www.hitch-web.com/hwpdf.asp?t...5gt8769%3C4tdmIf you have any suggestions as to what materials I should use for the various parts (particularly the end brackets) I'd love to hear them.  Is 1.25 x 1.25 x 0.125 sufficient for the square tubing or should I go with 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.25?  This is just going to be the equivalent of a Class I hitch, so no large pulling demands are expected (it's just a Corolla!).  Also, if it helps, I'll be using a stick welder and an angle grinder, not much else.  Thanks for your help.
Reply:[deleted]Last edited by zer0vector; 11-17-2009 at 09:19 AM.Reason: Screwed up image link
Reply:On last try:
Reply:This is one of those projects, if you don't know exactly what your doing, then don't do it. It might "only" be 2000lbs but if your welds break and it comes through the backseat of your car at 60mph 2000lbs will seem like a lot more. The hitch is only $114 a uhaul, let them handle it.If you cannot convince them, confuse them.         Harry S Truman
Reply:Could some mod just delete this thread?  Thanks.Last edited by zer0vector; 11-17-2009 at 09:41 AM.
Reply:I have two 1 1/4 receiver hitches both factory built and they use 2" square tube for the cross member. A lot depends on the distance between the mounting brackets. I  would think 1 1/2 x 1/4 cross tube with 1/4" thick brackets would be the minimum.The best thing to do is to look at display models of what you want to build and reverse engineer.
Reply:Here is another set of instructions.  I don't know what year you have, I guessed a 2003, and this is a totally different install.http://www.etrailer.com/instructions.aspx?pn=24579
Reply:It's an 07.  Here's a video of the installation on an 08, which should be the same:http://www.etrailer.com/tv-hitch-ins...a-corolla.aspx
Reply:I've had good experience with etrailer.com and highly recommend them if you need anything.
Reply:Originally Posted by 500HpSilveradoThis is one of those projects, if you don't know exactly what your doing, then don't do it. It might "only" be 2000lbs but if your welds break and it comes through the backseat of your car at 60mph 2000lbs will seem like a lot more. The hitch is only $114 a uhaul, let them handle it.
Reply:Go with the largest tubing that will fit under the car, 2-3" square if it will fit.  I favor 3/8 plate for all brackets for bumpers, beds, and hitches.Larger tubing allows for reduction in wall thickness.  You could get by with 3/16 if the 3" tubing will fit.  Otherwise, I 'd use 1/4" for smaller width tubing.You'll probably exceed the spring capacity of the Toyota before you overload the hitch.Just make sure your welding is up to par, and weld it HOT.  Stick would be my choice for this because better welds are possible with less knowledge of parameters.Thicker materials allow you to crank the machine up, and really burn the welds in without fear of burnthrough."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by jmanWHAT ?  U-HAUL ?  Holy Cheeerist...  NEVER, EVER take your vehicle to ANY of those Places.  They have so many 'pending lawsuits' BECAUSE of their 'Hitch Installations' and Broken *** Trucks causing accidents, catching on fire, fun stuff like that....http://www.google.ca/search?q=my+u-h...L_enCA312CA313
Reply:Originally Posted by 500HpSilveradoThat might be true, I wouldn't know. I just had them order it and I installed it myself. Class V 2.5", it's a beast. I'm assuming he could install it very easily if he wanted to weld his own.
Reply:in my opinion the words camry and trailer should never be used in the same sentence, unless your pulling the camry on a trailer. if your going to be pulling something on a regular basis at least step up to something with a decent suspension system and braking ability to stop the trailer.I break things for a living...
Reply:Guys, it's not like I'm trying to start a towing service.  Think 4ft x 4ft Harbor Freight trailer with 100 lbs of kayaks, well below the Corolla's rated tow weight (1500).
Reply:You can tow with the Camry-but honestly I would just buy the Hitch- the End Brackets alone is going to be a PIA, you need a way to bend the 3/16".Most of this stuff is just plain cheaper- in the long run, to buy it off the shelf unless you needed some specialty hitch.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:make friends with a local fab shop and get the brackets bent on a Saturday for a few bucks every thing else looks straight forward. And if you end up buying one e trailer is the way to go they are right down the road from me and i use them all the time.
Reply:I so hate naysayers in these common types of posts. Cheese and rice, if I listened to you guys I never would have been able to make a buck. You have to learn sometime. You have to build something sometime. He didn't ask for safety advice. He didn't ask for advice on his corolla towing a horse trailer. I understand where you are all coming from. I just wish these posters could get some answers to the questions they actually asked. Thank you. Come again,JokerLincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Well said, Joker.  Does anyone have any advice on BUILDING one of these, rather than BUYING one of these?
Reply:well for the brackets i think i would get 2 pieces of angle iron like 2inx10inx5/8. Then i would weld them to a 2.5in square tube and i would pick up a receiver tube for a few bucks. I think there like 6 bucks at the farm and home store. And weld the receiver tube to the 2.5in tube. We just built one for a 4cyl jeep for a bike and luggage rack. I had 15 bucks in it after paint bolts and a drill bit so theres no way you could buy one for cheaper.
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyGuyWell said, Joker.  Does anyone have any advice on BUILDING one of these, rather than BUYING one of these?
Reply:I have made a few.Inch and a quarter by 1/4" tube should do. The side brackets can be thicker, imho, 3/8" is what I would guess. You can buy ready made combo-bars as they are called. That is the part you slide the ball mount into. http://www.etrailer.com/p-E-912.htm Keeping everything square and even is crucial. You may have everything cut to fit just perfect, but by the time you weld it all up, heat is gonna tweak the whole thing.Disclaimer: No, not like that! Last edited by tanglediver; 11-22-2009 at 02:38 AM.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Wow, I'd actually given up on this thread, but now I come back and find some actually useful information.  Thanks everybody.