Tow hitch skid/ hi lift mount interested? Homebuilt

[The_Green_Wang]

Hey T4R,


I have been coming up with some plans to fabricate a towhitch Hi-lift mount that also is a skid to protect those precious tow hitches. May also incorperate D-shackles and maybe even extend the channel so that you can still mount other tow hitch accessories without having to remove this (bike racks, another hi lift mount, etc). Just want to hear your opinions are!? May also make more so stay tuned!


Nick

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[MooseT4R]

I'd like to see a doodle of what you're picturing. Sounds like a cool project.

 

[The_Green_Wang]

I'd like to see a doodle of what you're picturing. Sounds like a cool project.

This was a quick sketch. Will get some live pictures hopefully this weekend

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[tb-av]

This was a quick sketch. Will get some live pictures hopefully this weekend

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Sounds interesting.... Check this out... and their YT vids...

I would like something like that but maybe with room for 5 gal gas can.

They seem to have a lot of good ideas but it seems to sit pretty far back.... and... the buy this option, buy that option deal.

Seems like to me most anyone would want tire carrier, lift storage, gas can storage.

The skid is a good idea and the ability to connect a trailer.

Some of their stuff looks more like a bolt on after thought. If you could streamline some of it. Like if the tire could tip back a bit

D-Shackles seem like a stretch when you could just stick one in the receiver as needed.

Skid
Tire
Lift
Gas
Extended Receiver
Camera Relocation
License Plate ( seems like that could integrate with gas storage )
Breaker Bar Storage


oh,,, and a bottle opener.


It looks like your skid would block any receiver extension to a trailer, bike carrier, etc.. Plus how is the lift going to stay in place.

Even if you didn't want to go Tire Mount. At least do a gas can / lift.

GAS|LIFT|WATER
--------------------
------SKID--------

That would be a lot less than these guys but still be very functional... and even this minimal setup could probably hold TREDS too. Then a Receiver with D-RING like the Factor 55 stuff would be a pretty useful setup.

https://www.wilcooffroad.com/shop/hitchgate-solo/

 

[ayeyothisiskyle]

How will the hi-lift be mounted? horizontally or vertically. Keep in mind the following.

The Wilco's are out so far because of the movement of the tire when its on the vehicle. Its a pretty large cantilever so there WILL be movement. Bing a universal solution, theyre better being safe than sorry.

 

[The_Green_Wang]

How will the hi-lift be mounted? horizontally or vertically. Keep in mind the following.

The Wilco's are out so far because of the movement of the tire when its on the vehicle. Its a pretty large cantilever so there WILL be movement. Bing a universal solution, theyre better being safe than sorry.

They would be mounted horizontal. There is a company that does similar but could be improved.

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[e60ral]

Dont extend the receiver, it's bad enough as is for departure angle

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[The_Green_Wang]

Sounds interesting.... Check this out... and their YT vids...

I would like something like that but maybe with room for 5 gal gas can.

They seem to have a lot of good ideas but it seems to sit pretty far back.... and... the buy this option, buy that option deal.

Seems like to me most anyone would want tire carrier, lift storage, gas can storage.

The skid is a good idea and the ability to connect a trailer.

Some of their stuff looks more like a bolt on after thought. If you could streamline some of it. Like if the tire could tip back a bit

D-Shackles seem like a stretch when you could just stick one in the receiver as needed.

Skid
Tire
Lift
Gas
Extended Receiver
Camera Relocation
License Plate ( seems like that could integrate with gas storage )
Breaker Bar Storage


oh,,, and a bottle opener.


It looks like your skid would block any receiver extension to a trailer, bike carrier, etc.. Plus how is the lift going to stay in place.

Even if you didn't want to go Tire Mount. At least do a gas can / lift.

GAS|LIFT|WATER
--------------------
------SKID--------

That would be a lot less than these guys but still be very functional... and even this minimal setup could probably hold TREDS too. Then a Receiver with D-RING like the Factor 55 stuff would be a pretty useful setup.

https://www.wilcooffroad.com/shop/hitchgate-solo/

Great info and insight, I will definitely expand on this idea and add more "options". Making a basic thing that has options for more would keep it cheap for some but have the ability ti add more in the future

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[The_Green_Wang]

Dont extend the receiver, it's bad enough as is for departure angle

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I have a few ideas that may allow for not even adding to the length of the reciever and still allowing users to use the reciever and have the capabilities of mounting hi-lift and possibly more [emoji41] stay tuned haha

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[STX4Runner]

I don't get those trailer hitch Hi Lift mounts. If you're in difficult terrain aren't you destroying your Hi Lift dragging it over stuff? My rear bumper is all rashed from dragging off ledges, especially the corners.

 

[e60ral]

I don't get those trailer hitch Hi Lift mounts. If you're in difficult terrain aren't you destroying your Hi Lift dragging it over stuff? My rear bumper is all rashed from dragging off ledges, especially the corners.

yeah, i definitely would have been hung up with one at the height posted above and i only do moderate trails. i'm curious to see if you can get it high enough without it interfering with the door, you would really need that hilift as high as you can get it there

 

[tb-av]

If all you really want is a HiLift mount, then that situation above could be converted to a bracket that blocks teh door when running but is mounted on a fold down hinge plate. So it would higher than the bumper but when needed would fold backwards so the cargo door can be opened or the jack dismounted for use. So basically the receiver would still be the low point.

 

[The_Green_Wang]

I will do more research/ fabbing but im sure there is a way! Will look into what you guys said.

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[DesertCanyons]

Trailer hitch skid

yeah, i definitely would have been hung up with one at the height posted above and i only do moderate trails. ...

I think anything that extends the trailer hitch past the back bumper is going to reduce the departure angle, the rear clearance. I drag the trailer hitch receiver once in a while. Now I have a bigger spare, a 285/70R17 that hangs lower than the OEM 265/70/17spare. I see a need for a steel plate to protect the sidewall of the spare.

I'd like to see a hitch-mounted steel caster wheel. Something stout enough to carry the weight of the back end and still roll off of rocks and ledges. A wheel like those on heavy equipment that rolls, the wheels on heavy scales comes to mind, about 4" in diameter or less. A solid-rubber-on-steel roller wheel could work. The axle of the steel wheel could be mounted on steel side plates and/or a tube steel that slides into the hitch mount, as close to the bumper as possible.

The problem I see with any gas can holder on or over the bumper is that it places a can of gas on the back of the truck, where it can get crushed in a rear end collision. Put that gas on top of the roof rack in low, flat cans.

Put the high-lift jack in the same place. There are lots of mounts that tie it down to a roof rack.

 

[rochmpr]

Personally and from experience, you want the High Lift is a spot that will not be susceptible to damage from off-roading or a parking lot dipshit. That location poses quite the risk to damaging / bending of the jack. Once you damage your recovery gear, it serves no purpose other than added junk that you have to haul home.

Years ago, I had my 60" high lift mounted on the cage of my flatbed '81 Hilux and it snagged a tree on the Rubicon. It was bent like a boomerang. I had to buy a new High Lift and mounted it in a more secure location.

The saving grace was that I was with a group, so should an issue have arose, I would have been covered.

 

[Heavy_GD]

Sorry, but...

 

[STX4Runner]

I think anything that extends the trailer hitch past the back bumper is going to reduce the departure angle, the rear clearance. I drag the trailer hitch receiver once in a while. Now I have a bigger spare, a 285/70R17 that hangs lower than the OEM 265/70/17spare. I see a need for a steel plate to protect the sidewall of the spare.

I'd like to see a hitch-mounted steel caster wheel. Something stout enough to carry the weight of the back end and still roll off of rocks and ledges. A wheel like those on heavy equipment that rolls, the wheels on heavy scales comes to mind, about 4" in diameter or less. A solid-rubber-on-steel roller wheel could work. The axle of the steel wheel could be mounted on steel side plates and/or a tube steel that slides into the hitch mount, as close to the bumper as possible.

The problem I see with any gas can holder on or over the bumper is that it places a can of gas on the back of the truck, where it can get crushed in a rear end collision. Put that gas on top of the roof rack in low, flat cans.

Put the high-lift jack in the same place. There are lots of mounts that tie it down to a roof rack.

A wheel is not necessary. I've dragged my hitch all over Utah and it's fine.

 

[tb-av]

A wheel is not necessary. I've dragged my hitch all over Utah and it's fine.

Could I interest you in a Dyson Ball design? It would be a hell of a conversation starter on the trail!