Hitch step and tow strap mount combo

[WSS1]

Today I put this together for our expedition. It is a prototype for larger service trucks and flatbed delivery trucks. This one has a 8" by 4" step and a 5/8" hitch pin that is removable below the step for putting a tow strap around. The next version will have a 10" by 4" step and a little higher on the back "kick plate" for larger advertising and the hitch pin will be 1/2" lower to have more room for the tow strap and maybe a 5/16" chain. I hesitate with the chain becuse the pin is only 5/8" and has a 2" span between the 1/2" cheek plates. I'll have to go and tow a tractor around with our expy to see how it does LOL.

I sprayed it with a duplicolor truck bed spray liner tonight, i'll get some mounted pics tomorrow.

Any thoughts or ideas on this?

WSS1

 

[tallsville]

looks good. how much will the pin hold?

 

[WSS1]

I'm not sure. It is a standard 5/8" receiver pin. I am pretty sure most of them are at least a grade 8 or equivalent. I picked them up from Mc fadden dale hardware today (Are you from L.A. or LA?), they usually have good stuff. I looked at a few different types and noted the locking type are probably not as strong for this application, OK for holding the tube in but not for a lateral load. I am concerned about this area. I could not come up with a simple way to get a clevis/shackle in there. I could use 1" or even larger but the cost over 1/2" is prohibitive. For what I will use it for on our expy it will be OK. Over the last couple of months I have come across vehicles stalled in traffic and wished I could at least get them out of harms way. This will enable me to put the tow strap quickly and gently pull them, not for off road though.

WSS1

 

[panda24619]

hes from the OC! dont get him wrong. haha but thats a good idea. ive herd of people just using the hitch pin for the tow strap, i would, but mine has a hook on it. i need to get another one with out it. but that step is a cool idea. i can see people with big lifted trucks using it.

 

[sgtowing]

Looks good. You also need to build a drop down version for lifted trucks. Especially if you plan on selling them.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[WSS1]

If tallsville is from OC, then he has probably been to a mc fadden dale hardware, it is a hardware store on steroids. At least 20% of it is devoted to fasteners.

To be honest, we probably will not sell them, I plan on making them for our customers and giving them out, kinda like goodwill. I will cut their company logo on the kickplate thing. I may have to make a drop type and leave out the pin, when it gets too far off the center line, the pulling capacity drops if you don't build it right ($$). I figure I will make the step area 12" instead of 8" and raise the back kickplate so the logo is bigger.

 

[tallsville]

im not from OC panda i just play there alot. I live in the SGV on the border of IE. i havent been to mcfadden dale but looks like i might have to visit. And wss1 do you do side work?

 

[WSS1]

tallsville, I do. I'm cheap if it's a fun project too. I am in Ontario/Chino.

We do mostly industrial cutting for rock crushers and railroad cars, but love the custom truck stuff.

WSS1

 

[WSS1]

Here is the prototype installed. My wife hit her knee on it twice, once for each knee while unloading stuff at the Goodwill store, so did one of the helpers. It looks like prius eater for sure. I will leave it in for a week and see if we get used to it.

WSS1

 

[tallsville]

good thing you do side work. later in the year might need some stuff done.

 

[dcarr]

how much would you be willing to make/sell those for?

 

[WSS1]

how much would you be willing to make/sell those for?

Exactly like it is, w/ one pin $35. It needs some mods though. It will work fine the way it is but I would like to make the kickplate slightly taller and the step at least 2" wider. If you want a custom logo or just some text, like a family name cut out for it, it would be a little extra too. I have a nice Ford logo dxf (cad file) that I am going to try too (sorry no chevys LOL).

WSS1

 

[timberwoof]

I may be interested also.