frank_ster Posted October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 What does everyone think of this ? Reasonable bumper cuting ? I think that is a very good height . And higher then the receiver needs to sit far out to be able to reach the locking pin. I think I will try to add a small a plate to be able to bolt the bottom ofthe bumper cover to the hitch to reinforce the cutout. 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 October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 The redneck in Arkansas I bought my car from cut off my tow hook. Could this be used without the tow hook attachment? If not, I'll have one welded back on. I would weld it back on. You could go without it but it wouldn't be as strong. Better be safe than sory. 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...
SBT Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 What does everyone think of this ? Reasonable bumper cuting ? I think that is a very good height . And higher then the receiver needs to sit far out to be able to reach the locking pin. I think I will try to add a small a plate to be able to bolt the bottom ofthe bumper cover to the hitch to reinforce the cutout. Frank, Height-wise perfect. In my mind, the ideal would be to have a template included to cut a square in the bumper skin, and then slide the hitch into it during install, with a black anodized aluminum (substitute thick black plastic if anodized frame is too expensive) frame to put into the cut skin to clean up the look. Just cutting the bumper from bottom to the top point, and leaving the bottom end "open" isn't as aesthetically-finished as I'd want it to be. Just my $.02. - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schrei Wolf Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Frank, Height-wise perfect. In my mind, the ideal would be to have a template included to cut a square in the bumper skin, and then slide the hitch into it during install, with a black anodized aluminum (substitute thick black plastic if anodized frame is too expensive) frame to put into the cut skin to clean up the look. Just cutting the bumper from bottom to the top point, and leaving the bottom end "open" isn't as aesthetically-finished as I'd want it to be. Just my $.02. This! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eny169 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 What does everyone think of this ? Reasonable bumper cuting ? I think that is a very good height . And higher then the receiver needs to sit far out to be able to reach the locking pin. I think I will try to add a small a plate to be able to bolt the bottom ofthe bumper cover to the hitch to reinforce the cutout. personally I am more a 'function over form type' so cutting the bottom of the rear bumper in favor of ground clearance is just fine. lets face it, its just the bumper of a legacy frank, what will you do about the muffler hangers hitting the hitch? my last hitch install on my 05 Saabaru, I had to grind off part of the muffler hanger to prevent it from rubbing and making horrible noises against the UHAUL hitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted October 29, 2013 Author Share Posted October 29, 2013 There are large oval holes that the muffler mounts fit through. This will be the only physical Chang to prototype 3. And thanks for the input see if I make some kind of bezel that fits around the cut hole. 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...
SBT Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Frank - look at the Aussie one for the bezel, you'll see what I mean. It's on here somewhere. - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted October 29, 2013 Author Share Posted October 29, 2013 Frank - look at the Aussie one for the bezel, you'll see what I mean. It's on here somewhere. its on page 2 about post #12 they just used that plastic edging http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/351/218/452/452218351_916.jpg 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...
SBT Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Frank - this is the Aus Liberty GT tow bar fit I was thinking of. http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/17.JPG Install thread is found here I know your design is similar to the other USDM versions, which bolt to the "under/outside" of the frame rails. Note how this one bolts "into/inside" the frame rails, which eliminates any of the other potential impingement points underneath. http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/04.JPG http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/07.JPG Certainly seems strong enough - rated to 3900 lbs, and the compact nature of the pieces certainly looks like it would be easy to pack and ship. Oh, and please don't think these comments are meant to impugn your engineering or derail your excellent progress. Just posting these as food for thought on an alternate version. - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 What does everyone think of this ? Reasonable bumper cuting ? I think that is a very good height . And higher then the receiver needs to sit far out to be able to reach the locking pin. I think I will try to add a small a plate to be able to bolt the bottom ofthe bumper cover to the hitch to reinforce the cutout. The height seems to be good. Any higher and it would probably cause other kinds of problems instead. Maybe a tad higher so the bumper cut coincides with the bend, but that's not critical. I wonder if there's a need to put a cross-member on the bumper cover under the hitch to stabilize it and avoid cracks in the bumper. It wouldn't look good if the bumper starts to crack from the corners where the receiver goes in. And here's a pic of the OEM trailer hitch variants (Sedan: MX105EAJ610/MX105EAJ710, Wagon: MX105EAJ600/MX105EAJ700) we can purchase here in Europe: http://www.subaru.se/ImageResize.axd?filename=/commonmedia/parts/images/l105efg001.jpg Two variants, removable and fixed ball. We generally don't use receivers here since we are standardized on a 50mm ball. (Numbers/images are for 5th gen...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Nils, do you have crush beam behind your bumpers like the U.S. does? Don't think the ADM one picture above does. - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeylord Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 We generally don't use receivers here since we are standardized on a 50mm ball.You don't use receiver mounted accessories? I have a bike rack, cargo rack, motorcycle carrier & weight distributing hitch for the camper that I use with my wife's truck's receiver hitch... Don't mean to get too OT here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcoonley Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Are you still thinking about stainless? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted October 30, 2013 Author Share Posted October 30, 2013 stainless can be made easily but costs will be significantly more. 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 October 30, 2013 Author Share Posted October 30, 2013 The height seems to be good. Any higher and it would probably cause other kinds of problems instead. Maybe a tad higher so the bumper cut coincides with the bend, but that's not critical. I wonder if there's a need to put a cross-member on the bumper cover under the hitch to stabilize it and avoid cracks in the bumper. It wouldn't look good if the bumper starts to crack from the corners where the receiver goes in. i dont see this hitch moving what so ever.. 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...
farmerz24 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 i dont see this hitch moving what so ever.. no not happening. thing is as solid as can be once mounted and tied into the towhook. if yuo are bending this hitch you have other issues.... issues as in you have 2000 lb of tounge weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated thefultonhow Posted October 30, 2013 I Donated Share Posted October 30, 2013 So what you are saying is, this will handle a hitch mount cargo carrier with a couple hundred pounds on it no problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 i dont see this hitch moving what so ever.. Not the hitch. I was more worried about the plastic bumper cover. You don't use receiver mounted accessories? I have a bike rack, cargo rack, motorcycle carrier & weight distributing hitch for the camper that I use with my wife's truck's receiver hitch... Don't mean to get too OT here... Our accessories like the bicycle rack goes on the ball instead. And cargo goes on the roof rack or in the car - which is why wagons are so popular here. And we don't do weight-distributed trailers, heavier trailers has a bogie or have front/rear axles which takes care of some of that problem. On the upside we don't suffer that much from the noise created by the receiver rattling around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeylord Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Not the hitch. I was more worried about the plastic bumper cover.When I do mine I'll be careful not to add any stress risers in the corners when I cut it out. I'll probably drill the corners with a 1/2 bit, then connect the holes with a jig saw, or just use a ~2.5" hole saw and not worry about a tight fit across the top. Our accessories like the bicycle rack goes on the ball instead. And cargo goes on the roof rack or in the car - which is why wagons are so popular here. And we don't do weight-distributed trailers, heavier trailers has a bogie or have front/rear axles which takes care of some of that problem. On the upside we don't suffer that much from the noise created by the receiver rattling around.Interesing for sure. When I had my scooter mounted to the back of my camper, I scraped the anti-rattle clip leaving a driveway, bending all the bolts. The more ground clearance the better, which is why I'm looking forward to Frankie's hitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 For those of you with noisy receivers, this is what I use. Takes all of the clacking and clunking out of the experience. I did have to grind-down one side of the "lock" to fit under the OEM lip over the hitch's pin-hole. Won't have to do that with Frank's. http://www.letsgoaero.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Silent-Hitch-Pin-2080-Logo.jpg When I get Frank's 2" hitch installed and setup, I'll use the 2" version. Locks and stops the rattling/clanking at the same time. More info here - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeylord Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Well, I shouldn't have gone googling... This looks really interesting... http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/B/S/BSL047143-004_1000.jpg http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Bosal/BSL047143-004.html Not LGT fittment, obviously, but maybe one could fab it up with Franks plates. You can get a receiver attachment too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Nils, do you have crush beam behind your bumpers like the U.S. does? Don't think the ADM one picture above does. Not sure about how it is at the rear bumper. The front on my Outback have some styrofoam filling, which is different from the aluminum mesh that was found on the '10 I had. And since there's a trailer hitch on the car now it may have been removed to fit the hitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 If no one else will say it, that Bosal hitch "ball" looks like it could alternatively be used as a prostate massage tool. - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted October 30, 2013 Author Share Posted October 30, 2013 Not the hitch. I was more worried about the plastic bumper cover. Our accessories like the bicycle rack goes on the ball instead. And cargo goes on the roof rack or in the car - which is why wagons are so popular here. And we don't do weight-distributed trailers, heavier trailers has a bogie or have front/rear axles which takes care of some of that problem. On the upside we don't suffer that much from the noise created by the receiver rattling around. I would like to include some sort of plates that would bolt the plastic bumper cover. 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 October 30, 2013 Author Share Posted October 30, 2013 So what you are saying is, this will handle a hitch mount cargo carrier with a couple hundred pounds on it no problem? Yep. It will handle more that your rear springs will It's why I'm looking into rear air helper springs. 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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