NelsonMD, I wasn't trying to be fickle, just saying that sometimes, people come up with great ideas, and we shouldn't bash it right away. You and everyone else at Yotatech thought my hinges would fail, well it's been over a year, daily driven, on a rough patch of highway I might add, and even taken off road a few times, and NO signs of wear. I've since replaced the center receiver and locking tube, only because I wanted the option of removing my trailer hitch insert when not in use. The old one, was seized inside. Upon doing so, the locking tube, could not be saved, so we replaced it with some round tubing instead.
I can understand that you're a mechanical engineer, but everyone can be wrong sometimes. Not saying you are, but you could be. That being said, I'm not advicating that he run the truck down the freeway on the first run, I'd try it out like he mentionned, maybe take it somewhere secluded, with some buddies in tow, and test it off-road a little, and then give it a good torture test before taking it on public road ways.
The only reason I even commented on his thread initially, is because I know how it feels to be doubted, and having my idea being bashed, and just wanted to give him a little encouragement.
As for the thread over at Yotatech, it doesn't surprice me that Wabbit, and the others got nasty, that's what they do best over there. That is why I spend my time here, less politics, and a more friendly atmosphere. I've even posted an update or two on my tire carrier thread over there, and not a single one of them, had the decency to say "wow, that's great" or "well I guess I was wrong, good job!"
Eitherway, this forum is meant to help, not bash. We could all take a page from the OP, by trying something original, rather than throwing a ton of cash at something, and doing what everyone else is doing. A big part of this hobby, is innovation, let's celebrate that, by commending the OP for trying something on his own! :trophy:
I hope this doesn't get taken in the wrong context, I'm just trying to play the devils advocate, and say....."Why not?".