What thickness metal?

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I want to make a hitch to bolt to my bumper, strictly for a utility trailer.I have a fifth wheel so have a hitch in the box for towing it.But I have two manilfolded propane tanks right under the back of the truck, so can not use a standard receiver hitch, so figured weld something up to fit the back of the bumper.Any ideas what thickness metal to use?I have the proper two inch square tube for the receiver part so now need to weld it to something for mounting.Any ideas, or drawings to share?
Reply:Post a pic of what you plan to do and post information on the bumper load rating. Also how heavy is the trailer? You need to make sure one will support the other - first. If you hang a hitch on a bumper not rated for the load, you'll pull your bumper off.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Here I hope is a picture showing bumper and tanks in the way.
Reply:Why not use the ball in your bumper? Anything you weld is only as strong as it's weakest link, so you won't gain any strength if you weld to the bumper.
Reply:Here is a bumper I built.  6" channel, 3/8 plate.David Attached ImagesReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by partsmanHere I hope is a picture showing bumper and tanks in the way.
Reply:Stock ford bumper from forever.. No worries.. W had a '74 F-100 with a transplanted 309 GT motor and a C-6 tranny that pulled a Super Gas Mustang (see sig) Around the east coast for 10 years with the same bumper and ball set-up with no problems whatsoever..We just added 2 braces from the inside near the ball to the frame on each side..No biggie..Probably around 4000 lbs with the car and trailer and tools...You will be just fine with that.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:The reason I can't use the bumper ball is that my trailer is no more than 9" off the ground and the bumper is at least 21" high, so I need to make a drop type hitch.
Reply:They make receiver hitches that will bolt to that kind of bumper. You might have to drill some holes.
Reply:You could fab a drop step out of 1/4 or 5/16 plate, that you could weld or bolt to the bottom of your bumper.  Just don't extend the center of the new lowered ball too far, so you don't add more stress to the bumper mounts.  Plus, take the bumper off,  if you weld it  cricman
Reply:They make a bolt on reciever tube that will bolt to the underside of the flat plate on your bumper.  Then all ya need is a drop receiver insert, and you will be good to go.  Just remember when welding on hitches that if it breaks or comes loose YOU are liable for whatever happens so make sure its done right.  One more option is rather than changing your hitch you could modify the tongue on the trailer and add some height to it? ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:This is the trailer, and others borrow it for atv's, so would not be good to change it as they are set up for it as it is now.
Reply:Originally Posted by Hammack_WeldingThey make a bolt on reciever tube that will bolt to the underside of the flat plate on your bumper.  Then all ya need is a drop receiver insert, and you will be good to go.  Just remember when welding on hitches that if it breaks or comes loose YOU are liable for whatever happens so make sure its done right.  One more option is rather than changing your hitch you could modify the tongue on the trailer and add some height to it? ~Jackson
Reply:years ago i found a piece that boltedto that style bumper under neath that i towed a pop up camper with it bolted to the two other holes and the plate was either 1/4 or 3/8 i can not remember but theguy after me was caught towing a small stolen backhoe with that piece