frank_ster Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 So i have had a few people asking about this model of hitch and yes i can make for about 140$ but i want to make more than 1! since i'll have to spend time making drawings. so laser cut plates 44 ksi steel, 2" cross tube 1/4" wall. will come with stainless steel bolts and washers. can be painted zinc plated (yellow or white ) or unfinished depending your desire bolts on the exact same way with the same or thicker steel for construction as other brand hitches. but not drag on the ground. the bumper cover would need a slight cut in the middle on the horizontal surface. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=125531&d=1344724101 http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=125532&d=1344724101 http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=125533&d=1344724277 Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators BarManBean Posted March 28, 2013 Moderators Share Posted March 28, 2013 Would this also fit an outback? "Bullet-proof" your OEM TMIC! <<Buy your kit here>> Not currently in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxkita Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 ^^^ what he said. If it fits an outback, it ought to fit a lgt wagon. Do you have a rating on the hitch? still trying to figure out if I can tow the race car. :-) Build my car Boxkita Track days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted March 28, 2013 Author Share Posted March 28, 2013 yes it will fit legacy wagon and out back wagon . i'll test fit it on my 05 wagon to make sure .. Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted March 29, 2013 Author Share Posted March 29, 2013 well you can tow what ever you want.. but if you get a ticket or pulled off the road is another story. i'm not sure how your local dot would go about checking. typically they would go by what the car manufacturer says. my self i want to pull my bobcat loader around its 3500 lbs + acessorys. + trailer i do it but it doesn't "look right" so i want to get a enclosed trailer with 2 axels very low to the ground with brakes so it doesn't appear to be a big load. I think 99% of cops pull over things that look unsafe. will they pull you over and weigh your load and check your hitch tag ? i have never even herd of that. Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RabidWombat Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 How does it attach to the tow hook? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted March 29, 2013 Author Share Posted March 29, 2013 ^ haha yea i was tiring to remember that also. looks like the hitch will sit behind it and have a loop that you can drop a bolt through. Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slushboxgt Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Looks like mine will probably be the next one you do Frank, any chance of black powdercoat? I'm thinking rust prevention so it keeps looking nice here in la belle province with all the road salt... http://images.corvetteforum.com/images/smilies/cheers2.gif Paul PS. Why not just remove the tow loop? Don't need it with a hitch anyway, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RabidWombat Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 PS. Why not just remove the tow loop? Don't need it with a hitch anyway, right? The tow loop is directly in-line with the load and also a main attachment point to the car frame. That's why most hitches uses it as a main attachment point. With a large load, it minimizes torque applied to the rail bolts. I suspect its probably the most critical of the attachment points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAC5.2 Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Looks like mine will probably be the next one you do Frank, any chance of black powdercoat? I'm thinking rust prevention so it keeps looking nice here in la belle province with all the road salt... http://images.corvetteforum.com/images/smilies/cheers2.gif Paul PS. Why not just remove the tow loop? Don't need it with a hitch anyway, right? The hitch mounts using the tow-loop. If you are going to custom make one, why not consider making one like the AUDM version? http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/ The non-North American cars are rated (flat-hitch) for almost 4,000lb! [URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/proper-flip-key-interesti-159894.html"]Flip Key Development Thread[/URL] "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - E. Hubbard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slushboxgt Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 The hitch mounts using the tow-loop. If you are going to custom make one, why not consider making one like the AUDM version? http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/ The non-North American cars are rated (flat-hitch) for almost 4,000lb! The Aussie one is too complicated for my needs, but why not just remove the tow loop and use that as an anchor point for the custom receiver? Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted March 30, 2013 Author Share Posted March 30, 2013 But yes I would defiantly tie into the tow hook Can make the hitch as strong as you want but doesn't mean the officer won't give you a ticket ! They probably have a generic book saying a family sedan can only pull so much. Typically in North America the rule of thumb is the load shouldn't be heavyier than the vehicle pulling in a standard bumber trailer arrangement. 5th wheels can take more In Europe I have seen small cars pull two horses on a decent size trailer. But in Europe there is a speed limit of about 90 km or 55 mph for any trailer Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAC5.2 Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 In the US, the "thumb" allows the towing vehicle to be no less than 80% of the load (if equipped with trailer brakes). If you made one like the AUDM hitch, I'd probably go for it. [URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/proper-flip-key-interesti-159894.html"]Flip Key Development Thread[/URL] "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - E. Hubbard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slushboxgt Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Just snapped these pics of the tow loop, I see that it spot welded to the bottom of the spare tire tub/rear cross member. I would guess that you probably cut the loop off to get the receiver up in front of it right Frank? You could also probably run a piece of flat stock from the back of the receiver to anchor in that spot, but it hardly seem necessary with that monster hitch that you built... I would think that the Reese/Hidden Hitch/Draw-Tite version attaches to the bottom loop only because of their V shape design, that way they can hang the whole assembly below the tire well, full bolt-on, and don't have to remove or cut the bumper cover... A compromise at best though, the down side (pun intended) is that it's way to low to the ground and too far rearward so it scrapes, looks ugly, and most hate having it on their car. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=146723&d=1364623647 Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted March 30, 2013 Author Share Posted March 30, 2013 In the US, the "thumb" allows the towing vehicle to be no less than 80% of the load (if equipped with trailer brakes). If you made one like the AUDM hitch, I'd probably go for it. oh? ok .. i would actually do a combination of both Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slushboxgt Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 For me on my sedan, the Aussie hitch sits too high and is too noticeable sticking out of the bumper. I could see on an OB where people want the rugged offroad look, but for me, I want my hitch receiver to be as discreet as possible. That's why I liked your design Frank, it was nicely tucked up and under the bumper, ideal compromise. Here are a couple of pics of the Aussie one, as you can see the receiver is quite a bit higher than the tow loop (circled), and also protrudes a good amount beyond the bumper cover. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=146723&d=1364623647 Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted March 30, 2013 Author Share Posted March 30, 2013 yes but what bac5.2 is talking about is the mounting type, i could mount it with the bumper mounting brackets have the receiver just in front of the tow hook at the same height to maintain ground clearance. i'll have to look again with the bumper cover off to optomize it, i like to tie into the frame rails also to reduce the twisting action in the case of heavy tung weight. Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAC5.2 Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 oh? ok .. i would actually do a combination of both At least that's what I've seen and heard. U-Haul makes you sign paperwork indicating that your load is only heavier than the tow vehicle by so much. [URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/proper-flip-key-interesti-159894.html"]Flip Key Development Thread[/URL] "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - E. Hubbard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share Posted March 31, 2013 i drew this up, keep in mind its parametric meaning i can change any of the dims at any time. so i just need to put a measuring tape to an actual car adjust and then send drawings to the laser cutters. bac5.2 what do you think of this ? i'm thinking of adding two plates to tie into the the bumper brackets. but not sure if i its ok to space the bumper out 1/4" ( thickness of the plate) or just go under the nuts on the lower two bolts . Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAC5.2 Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 That looks fine, though you'll definitely need to trim the bumper to fit it. Keeping the load-line in plane with the tow hook is ideal. Do you have the rear bumper off so I can visualize how it'll come together? The weak point is NOT going to be the hitch, but the sheet metal you are actually bolting to. Maybe you should cut some reinforcement plates to insert into the frame rail, similar to the OEM AUDM insert brackets. [URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/proper-flip-key-interesti-159894.html"]Flip Key Development Thread[/URL] "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - E. Hubbard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share Posted March 31, 2013 i'm in vegas on vacation for the week Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAC5.2 Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 No excuses. [URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/proper-flip-key-interesti-159894.html"]Flip Key Development Thread[/URL] "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - E. Hubbard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share Posted March 31, 2013 That looks fine, though you'll definitely need to trim the bumper to fit it. Keeping the load-line in plane with the tow hook is ideal. Do you have the rear bumper off so I can visualize how it'll come together? The weak point is NOT going to be the hitch, but the sheet metal you are actually bolting to. Maybe you should cut some reinforcement plates to insert into the frame rail, similar to the OEM AUDM insert brackets. but the frame rails are closed no ? or are they open from the back ie if you take off the rear bumper beam ? Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAC5.2 Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 but the frame rails are closed no ? or are they open from the back ie if you take off the rear bumper beam ? They should be open, just like the AUDM car I posted. [URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/proper-flip-key-interesti-159894.html"]Flip Key Development Thread[/URL] "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - E. Hubbard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share Posted March 31, 2013 the audm one does not mount to the tow hook you can see in picture 15. but i'm pretty sure mine didn't have those holes on the rear frame rails mine has threads that the curtis hitch i have just bolted to 05 sedan and 05 wagon. my curtis hitch i cut and raised it up almost 2 inches. it would bottom out on everything. and for some reason i hate the 1-1/4" receiver type. Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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