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Old 03-28-2011, 07:58 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 13
Year: 1983
Coachwork: GMC Bussette
Chassis: Wayne
Engine: 350 Chevy
Receiver Hitch Help

We are converting a 1983 GMC Bussette (Vandura). We need to be able to tow our 2,000 lb. smoker (500 lb. tongue weight) with this bus, but there is no towing set up. Any suggestions? We've searched high and low for receiver hitches from RV dealers to local trailer hitch businesses but can't find anything that will work. if anyone has fabricated something we'd love to see pictures and get details. BBQ Competition season is upon us and we've got to get this bus on the road! Thanks!
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Old 03-29-2011, 12:32 PM   #2
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Roswell, NM
Posts: 3,588
Year: 1986
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: 40 ft All American FE
Engine: 8.2LTA Fuel Pincher DD V8
Rated Cap: 89
Re: Receiver Hitch Help

David bought a short receiver tube and we had a couple pieces of scrap metal and he welded the thing up to the rear frame of the bus. Hauled our lightweight Jeep Grand Cherokee (5500lbs) out here (NM) with no problems. You can also bolt one on or if you are uneasy about using just one method (like us) you can weld and bolt. We still need to add bolts to our set up. We had a few folks tell us at stops that our hitch setup was loose but I was behind David a few times while pulling in/out of stops and on/off the interstates.. it was an optical illusion. We kept checking to see if the welds broke loose and now David insists on putting some bolts in... just to make sure.

Get a tow bar that one person can hook up. Makes life easier. I bought my Stowmaster 5000 (and "hidden" brackets) off of http://www.hitchtrader.com/SearchAds...&submit=Search in the for sale section. Saved lots of $$
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:02 PM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 13
Year: 1983
Coachwork: GMC Bussette
Chassis: Wayne
Engine: 350 Chevy
Re: Receiver Hitch Help

Thanks for the info! Could you possibly post a picture of your hitch set up? That would be very helpful. Thanks again.
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Old 03-29-2011, 11:31 PM   #4
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Roswell, NM
Posts: 3,588
Year: 1986
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: 40 ft All American FE
Engine: 8.2LTA Fuel Pincher DD V8
Rated Cap: 89
Re: Receiver Hitch Help

Pics of our hitch


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Old 03-30-2011, 10:03 PM   #5
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 471
Year: 1988
Coachwork: Ward
Chassis: Ford B600
Engine: 6.6L Turbo Diesel
Rated Cap: 26
Re: Receiver Hitch Help

I don't know if it will help, but look on page 4 of my thread. I got the class three from an off-road truck supply store in Houston a few years back, and now I have it on my bus. I originally had it on my M109A3 Deuce Shop Van. Looking at your pics your sset-up may be different. My hitch is a direct mount to the chassis frame with schedule 8 nuts & bolts. I hope this helps.
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Old 04-03-2011, 05:53 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 13
Year: 1983
Coachwork: GMC Bussette
Chassis: Wayne
Engine: 350 Chevy
Re: Receiver Hitch Help

M-1031- Thanks for the pics but my frame rail terminates 19" in front of the rear bumper. i think I am going to have to drop back a few foot on the frame, attach and extend outwards towards the bumper.
Thanks for the suggestions
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Old 05-21-2011, 03:11 PM   #7
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 14
Year: 2003
Chassis: Ford E450
Engine: 7.3L Powerstroke
Rated Cap: 17
Re: Receiver Hitch Help

Here are some pics of the hitch I built for my 2003 ford.
The rear bumper is pretty sturdy, so I used it as a third cross member.
I had the steel laying around and bought a 2 foot long 2 inch receiver unfinished from a fab shop for 22 bucks.
Bolted to the frame with 6 grade 8 1/2 inch bolts.
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