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Old 06-04-2018, 10:20 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Iowa
Posts: 28
Year: 1998
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: Cummins 5.9L inline-6H
Hitch Recievers

1998 Freightliner FS-65 Bluebird - just purchased and going to start the whole process. Something that seems odd - in the car world you can find a hitch receiver that just bolts right up for anything. I've searched a half dozen times and cant find any solid information on one that would bolt up for the back or the front - ideally ill be doing both.

Is there something I am missing, or is this something that has to be fabricated?

Something like this for rear im guessing: https://www.etrailer.com/p-41990-07.html

no clue on front

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Old 06-05-2018, 05:40 AM   #2
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Location: MNT CITY TN
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Welcome

There are hitches available, measure your frame rail width and go from there

or have a local welding shop back you one,

I can not remember but something like a F550 will bolt up after you match drill holes

Measure first and then take that info to a local Leonards or ? whatever you have there for spray in bed liners, truck caps and hitches

Good luck
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Old 06-05-2018, 03:33 PM   #3
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
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Year: 1999
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You can make your own for less than $50 or buy a bot on one for 200+. The problem with the bolt on ones is all buses don't have the same frame bolt pattern in the back. So you have to decide to drill the hitch to match the existing frame holes or drill the frame rail to match the hitch hole pattern.
It's as easy as welding (or bolting) a 6" plate on each frame rail, cut a length of heavy wall 2-3" square tube between the 2 plates and weld your receiver hitch to it.

Here's a weld/bolt on that will work:

https://www.etrailer.com/p-C13701.html

Something like this for the front.

https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle-fin...mr&HHyear=1999
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Old 06-05-2018, 03:55 PM   #4
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
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Year: 1999
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Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
Just found this simple solution to a problem I've had. There are several nice buses in my area that don't run and are being sold cheap. I shied away from them till this point because towing would be cost preventive. With this front hitch all I need to do is drill 8 holes in the bumper and I'm towing my own. Towing would now cost me $30 in fuel instead of a minimum hook up of $200
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Old 06-06-2018, 10:40 AM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Iowa
Posts: 28
Year: 1998
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: Cummins 5.9L inline-6H
thank you, where did you find the bumper bolt on reciever? That would work well I think as out front I would only use as extra storage (Cooler, or generator, or something, till the bus is fully setup properly).

id be concerned with just 8 bolts to the bumer with anything to heavy though.

Ill look at the others and see what i can figure out. thank you for the links, greatly appreciated!!
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Old 06-06-2018, 10:44 AM   #6
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Year: 1999
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Chassis: International
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hazin View Post
thank you, where did you find the bumper bolt on reciever? That would work well I think as out front I would only use as extra storage (Cooler, or generator, or something, till the bus is fully setup properly).

id be concerned with just 8 bolts to the bumer with anything to heavy though.

Ill look at the others and see what i can figure out. thank you for the links, greatly appreciated!!
It's a Draw-tite

Tensile strength of a 1/2" grade 8 bolt is over 20Kpsi, 8 of them is 160Kpsi. How heavy was that generator?
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Old 06-06-2018, 11:37 AM   #7
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Iowa
Posts: 28
Year: 1998
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: Cummins 5.9L inline-6H
Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
It's a Draw-tite

Tensile strength of a 1/2" grade 8 bolt is over 20Kpsi, 8 of them is 160Kpsi. How heavy was that generator?
Thanks, takes care of the front for sure then.
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