So when I got my truck it had a trailer hitch on it. For some reason though the hitch arms (the parts that bolt to the frame) had been flared outward. That is, imagine the hitch bolted to the frame and then from underneath hitch where it bolts to the frame someone began to bend the bottom of the hitch outward toward the sides of the truck. This subsequently bent the frame (which has been fixed). If the frame is the shape of a C (with 90 degree angles) the bottom part of the frame being bent by the hitch was at about 110 degrees instead of the correct 90.

So, because the hitch was bent so bad I had a guy use an oxy/acetyelene torch and a hammer bend most of it back in place I've put the hitch on and was able to get 4 of 6 bolts through the hitch and into the frame. (3 on the drivers side and 1 on the passenger side. the two that i cannot get a bolt through on the passenger side are off about 1/4". It's off because the hitch is still too wide for the frame. Meaning I need to figure out a way to compress the hitch another 1/4" on the passenger side.

Going back to the torch guy is not an option. The idea on the table right now is to use chains and a metal plate. Throw the chains over the outside arms of the hitch leaving enough slack to get a metal plate and bottle jack in between the chain and the hitch. Then pump the jack to compress the hitch. But this could be difficult since the chain might allow for slippage and with my hands and face being in there I don't want to get hurt when things are under that much pressure.

FYI, beating on the hitch sideways with a BFH got me no where.

So, anyone have any better ideas?

 

Personnally I would just get a new hitch. It's already been weakened and I wouldn't take the chance of something happening because i tried to use a bent hitch.

 

I'm not going to be pulling anything heavy duty. The only think I plan to pull is a 17" boat which doesn't weigh all that much.

 

I second that motion.

I had to dodge a wild loose trailer on the road once. It still hade the hitch attached. That was an experence I don't want to do again!

 

well looks like i may have found a craigslist score. going to pick it up tonight: trailer hitch older ford

seems $25 and no headaches would be a smarter play.

 

Sounds like a good idea in my book.

 

I'd go with the other reciever. by beating and heating and hammering you have actually made your reciever weak and brittle .