Drawbar Material 60mm box ???

[whisper]

Hi, I'm looking to extend a trailer drawbar by replacing the drawbar with 60mm box steel and then bolting on a hitch that fits over 60mm.

I have a steel supplier close to me but not sure what to ask for and what thickness e.g. type of steel and wall thickness.

Any ideas?

[Downhilldai]

60 x 60 x thickness (prob 5mm) x [length you need] RHS (Rectangular hollow Section)
All dimensions to be external.

[whisper]

Thanks, is it mild steel?

[mister p]

I'd have a go with 3/16" gauge ( wall thickness ) and galvanised. The 60mm box you already know. 1/8 is a bit wafer like and 4/16 you're obviously going to be a 1/4 inch thick. Go bigger than smaller but 3/16 gauge is the one to aim for.
Hope that helps. Take your trailer to your supplier, they'll tell you straight away anyway. And get you the right U-bolts too.......and those have to be stainless, the pain in removing corroded U-bolts is not worth the hassle should you wish to adjust and tinker.

[whisper]

The 60mm box will slide into a bigger box section and then bolt through so I guess I will need M10 HT bolts ?

[Downhilldai]

Got a photo?

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by whisper

The 60mm box will slide into a bigger box section and then bolt through so I guess I will need M10 HT bolts ?

M12

[mister p]

Yes and stainless........if it's a sliding fit then may I suggest that you do two vertical and two horizontal alternatively.
That will stop it sniping or hinging. Maybe even a 4cm wide 1mm thick nylon strip onto each flat to take up any slack?

[whisper]

I need to unbolt the tractor hitch extend the drawbar with the 60mm box which will fit inside the other box section.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by mister p

Yes and stainless........if it's a sliding fit then may I suggest that you do two vertical and two horizontal alternatively.
That will stop it sniping or hinging. Maybe even a 4cm wide 1mm thick nylon strip onto each flat to take up any slack?

Give the steel a bit of a 'touch' at the bolt holes with a sledge to close up any 'slack' in the sleeving. Or you could squeeze it in a vice.

[Downhilldai]

Having seen the pic, I would make the extension section the same dimension as the main spine and use a smaller section of 5mm wall RHS around 600mm long, which fits tightly inside both sections to make the connection.

[mister p]

If you run that bar the length of the trailer plus some, then you'd launch without getting the car wet.......or your feet. After extending it on the slip, obviously.

[whisper]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Having seen the pic, I would make the extension section the same dimension as the main spine and use a smaller section of 5mm wall RHS around 600mm long, which fits tightly inside both sections to make the connection.

I know what you mean but the hitch only fits over 60mm box...

[camelgas]

If you undo the bolts will the "tractor" hitch come out ?.

[whisper]

Originally Posted by camelgas

If you undo the bolts will the "tractor" hitch come out ?.

It will do when I hook it up to the tractor and the other end to the disco

[whisper]

But it does looked pinched...

[whisper]

Could I not cut the eye off leaving enough material and bolt it through whats left?

[camelgas]

As it will come out I would find/make a bit of box to go back inside trailer side and extend forwards a good bit. Then sleave the new larger box over the whole lot and bolt it up, remember it needs to be good and strong at this point as the weight and forces will be concentrated on the join.

ps. check out hitch widths also as most use a couple of standard widths.

[martini]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

60 x 60 x thickness (prob 5mm) x [length you need] RHS (Rectangular hollow Section)

60x60 is square (SHS)

[mister p]

Looking at the pic I would assume that you'd be hacking the eye of anyway. Then simply slip in your 60x60 SHS. Seems easy.....but there's many a slip twixt cup and the lip.