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Trailer Hitch fab - threaded rods and nuts

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cyclehead
(@cyclehead)
Honorable Member

For folks who want to make their own trailer hitch, bike rack, carry rack, to screw into the towing eye sockets - the pain has been finding or cutting a threaded rod to the correct (oddball) pitch of M22x2.0.

Somebody shared an ebay supplier that has 12” long “all thread” stainless steel rods for $26 each.   I can’t find who shared the link, maybe facebook?  So of course I ordered some.  They’re nice!  The typical 2-3 long weeks of shipping wait, but it certainly simplifies gathering parts to fab your own trailer hitch.   The same helpful person found stainless steel nuts to fit.   

I’d be happy to give them credit if I can figure out where I found their info.

Allthread:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/M22x1-5-M24x2-Right-Fine-Threaded-Rod-Screw-100-to-600mm-304-Stainless-steel/293103959497?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=591965754852&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Nuts:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/304-Stainless-Steel-Select-M6-M24-Thin-Hex-Nuts-Right-Hand-Fine-Thread-QR5-ZX/152663067150?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=452204458063&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

07A2FF98 9360 4422 BCDF 136C01B4AD1C

I make Amateur Armrests - see the Commercial Forum. I also have SMT repair seals available.

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Topic starter Posted : October 9, 2019 4:50 pm
cyclehead
(@cyclehead)
Honorable Member
29A808AB E1E9 458B A91C 4DCC14A3E559
C7D16028 5BAB 401F 8C15 F4CD87D3D198

I make Amateur Armrests - see the Commercial Forum. I also have SMT repair seals available.

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Topic starter Posted : October 9, 2019 4:52 pm
Refirendum
(@refirendum)
Trusted Member

may be usefull if someone needs to fab up a small little trailer to tow some tires and a cooler to an autocross event.

03 spyder

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Posted : October 9, 2019 5:55 pm
phats
(@phats)
Reputable Member

@ cyclehead

Here's your man .... blewis87 from spyderchat

https://www.spyderchat.com/threads/where-to-buy-m22x2-0-threaded-rod-rare-pitch-for-the-factory-tow-points.154487/#post-2122258

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Posted : October 9, 2019 6:22 pm
cyclehead
(@cyclehead)
Honorable Member

Thanks Phat!   Thanks BLewis!

I make Amateur Armrests - see the Commercial Forum. I also have SMT repair seals available.

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Topic starter Posted : October 10, 2019 5:56 am
haloruler64
(@haloruler64)
Noble Member

Making a little bolt on beer cooler would be awesome. Maybe a lightweight deatchable BBQ grill. Or just a small no-wheel trailer to throw some chairs, beer boxes, and such to strap down for BBQs. Oh man, so many ideas.

2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder, 2021 Lexus UX 250h F Sport

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Posted : October 10, 2019 6:56 am
(@nottamiata)
Prominent Member

So, my understanding is that the nuts in the back (inside) of the crash bar are only tack-welded to the bar, and are not even full welds.

However, am I wrong to think that if you put a nut and fender washer on the threaded rod, on the outside of the crash bar and tighten it down, wouldn't that transfer a lot of stress to that interface and relieve it from the tack welds themselves? IOW, you will change the mechanical forces and now the two nuts on each side of the crash bar are pinching the crash bar, instead of all the torque being applied to just those puny welds.

Could it be that Mr. T actually intended us to use them that way, and the tack welds are just there to make it easier to hold the back nut in place while the tow platform is installed?

🐸, 2003, Electric Green Mica

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Posted : October 10, 2019 9:27 am
cyclehead
(@cyclehead)
Honorable Member

A few fuzzy photosukit pics here.   https://www.spyderchat.com/threads/fs-rods-for-trailer-hitch-or-bike-rack.47354/post-785637

My theory of loading is...

the tow hook nuts are tack welded to the frame. The trailer hitch rods should be a close fit in the pass-through hole in the steel bumper.  Any vertical loads will cause the rods to bear against the steel bumper.   The nuts will only see a moderate vertical reaction.  If you prefer you can weld the nuts up 100%.   I have not, and I’ve used my hitch to pull trailers, carry a platform, and to carry a bicycle rack - all with no issues.

I make Amateur Armrests - see the Commercial Forum. I also have SMT repair seals available.

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Topic starter Posted : October 10, 2019 10:42 am
(@nottamiata)
Prominent Member

So, does downward force on the rods result in compression or tension force on the welds? What about lateral forces... I am thinking about that 120qt cooler sliding from one side of your "basket" and banging against the opposite side. Could create some substantial shearing force on those welds.

I am not bickering, just discussing. I haven't even laid eyes on The Frog's nuts, while you've actually used them thar nuts in your own car.

🐸, 2003, Electric Green Mica

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Posted : October 10, 2019 3:45 pm
(@nocoolname)
Estimable Member

We have a member that tried putting a transmission on a hitch rack on a spyder and I think the welds broke.  I don't think I would put over 100lbs of weight on a carrier style hitch rack, definitely so if it's a bumpy drive.

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Posted : October 10, 2019 5:47 pm
cyclehead
(@cyclehead)
Honorable Member

Huh huh .   I forgot about that, pretty scary!   I think he welded it up solid after that.

I make Amateur Armrests - see the Commercial Forum. I also have SMT repair seals available.

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Topic starter Posted : October 10, 2019 6:23 pm
(@blewis87)
New Member

Hello all!  Yes, I found the sacred bolt lol. 

I also found where you can buy a perfectly sized collar for the threaded rod to ease the stress on the nut that is welded to the frame.

Google search the size below to find it (speedy metals)

1-1/4" OD {A} x 0.874" ID {B} x .188" Wall

 

MVIMG 20191010 153442

 

This post was modified 4 years ago 2 times by blewis87
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Posted : October 10, 2019 6:45 pm
LordTakuban reacted
LordTakuban
(@lordtakuban)
Member Admin

Sorry, blewis87.  Your post had to be approved since it had an image and you had fewer posts than the threshold requires.  It's approved and visible now though.  🙂

Get your Short Antennas, Decals, and all sorts of goodies at:
https://takubanmotorsports.com

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Posted : October 11, 2019 11:14 am
cyclehead
(@cyclehead)
Honorable Member
Posted by: @nottamiata

So, does downward force on the rods result in compression or tension force on the welds? What about lateral forces... I am thinking about that 120qt cooler sliding from one side of your "basket" and banging against the opposite side. Could create some substantial shearing force on those welds.

I am not bickering, just discussing. I haven't even laid eyes on The Frog's nuts, while you've actually used them thar nuts in your own car.

Here it is...

C9FCEAD3 AEDD 416C AAB7 BACD986238CE

 

I make Amateur Armrests - see the Commercial Forum. I also have SMT repair seals available.

ReplyQuote
Topic starter Posted : October 11, 2019 5:02 pm
(@not-2-old-for-2-seater)
Estimable Member

Wanna talk about tow bolt weld failure?

First picture shows beautifully painted storage rack prior to loading:

IMG 1518

Second picture shows what a broken tow nut weld looks like:

IMG 1514

 

Next pictures show loaded storage rack....dragging on the ground after both tow nut welds failed catastrophically:

2018 03 09 19.05.32
2018 03 09 19.04.53
2018 03 09 19.03.00

Granted the storage rack was heavily loaded.  One Euro 6 speed M/T crated; lots of spares and liquids for full engine and transmission swap.

BTW, failure occurred within 5 mins of local"Around Town" driving time.  Luckily not during 12 hour Interstate trip to get swap done.

P.S. Also slightly bent the bolts holding the trailer hitch to the tow nuts.

P.P.S. Ending up carrying everything inside the car .... after removing passenger seat, 😆 

Paul

 

This post was modified 4 years ago by Not 2 Old For 2 Seater
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Posted : October 12, 2019 11:01 pm
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