I wanted a receiver on the back of my rig for a bike carrier or a receiver basket for coolers, etc. The Open Road bumper is not hitch worthy so I called the fine folks at Smitty's RV and Welding in Houston.
To maintain ground clearance I opted to punch through the bumper rather than go under it. A 3 x 3 x 3/8 crossmember was welded to the inside of the frame. The receiver was welded to this along with gusset plates to prevent twisting or shifting. A 2 x 2 x 3/8 angle was added on top of the frame extension behind the bumper to provide additional support for the extended receiver box. The welds where the factory attached these bumper extension were re-welded as they seemed pretty weak.
This set-up is not good for triple-towing. That will require a second crossmember forward. I have no plans to triple-tow but could add this capability. This set-up is good for at least 400 pounds in a basket or a Juicebox-type generator set up.
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Bob Leiper
Retired Fire Chief
Baytown, Texas
2007 GMC C3500 SLT, Crew Cab, Dually, D/A, 56 gallon tank
2004 Open Road 357RLDS-5 #3730, Added Disc Brakes, 2nd AC, Doran PressurePro
RBW 15K swivel, Prodigy
Smitty's did the frame extension on my truck, mounted my 5th wheel custom hitch and a receiver. They did good work. I am debating having them add a receiver to the back of mine so that I can double tow, but I suspect I would not like double towing as it would put me at 95' long or there abouts. So I continue to look for a vehicle that seats 5 and will fit on the back of the truck between the cab and 5er.
Paul
Newmar Cypress 39CKDB
Tow Vehicle: Peterbilt 387 w Cat C15 and 3.55 rear end, Tandem Axels, Custom ET Air Hitch.
Custom Pace American Shadow Car Trailer
Little Tow Vehicle: Yukon XL 2500 4WD 8.1L Engine
I'd like to do something like that with our fiver. I'd put a Juice Box generator on it.
Doubles towing is illegal in Florida unless you are a commercial vehicle. I see plenty of out of state rigs doing it, though. Having a Florida license and Florida vehicle and trailer plates, I'd be pressing my luck.
Richard Lawrence Ray Laura Lee Ray Amateur Radio W4RLR 2005 Ford F-250 Lariat Crew Cab "The Blue Beast" towing
1995 Jayco 277RB "Love Shack"
My dealer did that to our Quantum. He made sure it was very strong as I wanted to carry a heavy Kipor generator. It works very well, and we haven't had one problem. If I don't need the generator we slide it out onto a jack.
kenneth wooster- school bus driver & teacher
wife Diana-adult probation officer
365BSQS Quad slide 2007 Quantum
Ford F350 2005 model, 4X4 FX, King Ranch
18K SuperGlide Hitch
Just seen your post on the Pilgrim forum. Great job. Been thinking of a hitch for bicycles also. Carry now on the ladder and hate doing that. This might get me going now.
Dave & Dee
2006 40' Open Road
2008 F-350 Dually V-10 4:30
2 yrs USA Big Red One Vietnam Retired USAF
Retired teacher after military
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