Receiver Hitch Question 61 Chevy

[par4tom]

I have a 61 Chevy Truck and of course...there are no bolt in, off-the-shelf hitches for this truck due to the wider rear frame width. (Just like all the other things that you can't buy for the 60-62's)

I plan to hang some brackets off the bottom of the rear frame (2 1/2" X 6" X 8" X 1/4" metal), and use a 2" tube (37" X 2 X 2 X 1/4" metal) as the cross member. I'll cut holes in the side brackets so the cross member tube can slide through the brackets and get welded up on both sides. Then I'll weld up a receiver hitch tube to the bottom of the crossmember and add some additional angle iron bracing as a back up.

Question - my dad says that the frame on the back of the 61's is not going to be strong enough to hold a Class III Hitch and the associated weight from a trailer from the bottom. He wants to brace the frame up from the inside and along the bottom rail.

Does anyone have some ideas on this matter? Is that necessary? Or, do you have some ideas with regards to how I could brace the frame up a little bit more?

Also, I do have a rear, under-bed tank behind the axle and between the rails if that helps.

Thank you
Tom

[Corts60]

The frame is plenty strong enough. I bought a universal hidden hitch for an rv, bolted it up and welded in place. Never had any problems. I'll see if I can find you a part number.
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[padresag]

either that or find a used one for the 34" frame and just replace the square tubing that joins it all together. not everything has to come off the shelf.
ron