KDS Class III/IV Hitch

I ordered some square tubing caps to try and close out the ends of the main crossmember. I sourced them from Fleabay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SQUARE-TUBING-PLUG-END-CAP-2-1-4-QUANTITY-2-/371112665020?hash=item566809dfbc

SQUARE TUBING PLUG/END CAP
2 1/4" BLACK PLASTIC
QUANTITY 2

FITS 1.99" to 2.08" TUBE ID




I mocked them up before I sent my hitch out for coating, and it looks like they will be a snug fit. I may trim the ribs a bit, we'll see.

Regarding powdercoating. Based on some of the feedback I thought I'd look into powdercoating to see if this is an option I would offer in the future. I took my hitch over to my local coater, and got a quote for $125 if I bring him batches of 4-5 hitches at a time. This will fill his curing oven and offer a price break. Considering the additional packaging to protect the finish from the goon-like handling of the hitches in transit, I think this may be a risky option to provide.

How'd the end-caps work out?

802 wrote:

How'd the end-caps work out?

I'm planning to install my hitch today and I'll have some feedback. Now..... where did I put those plugs?

Caps fit great! They snapped right in, and didn't need any modification. They dont cover the entire end face of the tube, and I knew that going in, but they close out the end of the tube and do what I wanted them to do.

If the caps keep out the critters and the dust, they are a success in my book.
I suppose a little silicone could make them pretty waterproof as well.

Any other lessons learned, tips to share, from your install?

Love this hitch so much.  Just pulled an 18 foot car hauler about 430 miles empty then 430 miles back with a 1968 C-10 on it.

The wagon was getting about 18mpg with the trailer empty and about 13 with the truck on the trailer.  I kept the speed at about 65mph.  This is a non tow package wagon with the factory 2.56 rear gear.  I have added the Moog cargo coils and air lift bags to keep the rear end up.  It towed very well and did not worry me or give me any problems at all.


Meet my newest project.

That is a pretty truck right there. I'm trying to find an excuse for a 71 Suburban I've been drooling over myself..

beertestr wrote:

redcaddy wrote:

It occurs to me that with a little bit of fabricobbling, a "hidden hitch" type set up would be QED. A flip down plate holder would make access easy. Any thoughts?

Paul

It's possible, but would be a 4th variant of hitch design.
1-91-96 conventional
2-91-96 hidden design with fold down plate for roll pan style aftermarket rear cover
3- wagon under plate design
4 -wagon hidden hitch with fold down plate.

Only 1 and 3 can use the same side plates but will have different receiver tubes and chain plates.  That's a lot of jigs for not many hitch sales.

Any progress on the roll pan design?

I have a wagon with rollpan and am nearby in Jackson for testing. I'd like to get some structure behind the fiberglass. Just doesn't seem like a great idea.

I'm not sure if I want to get into filling the hatch yet, though. I have the same exhaust tips as you except the previous owner did a bend to put them in the center, keeping with the Corvette theme so a hitch would have to come out of the rollpan.

3

jxdrl wrote:

beertestr wrote:

redcaddy wrote:

It occurs to me that with a little bit of fabricobbling, a "hidden hitch" type set up would be QED. A flip down plate holder would make access easy. Any thoughts?

Paul

It's possible, but would be a 4th variant of hitch design.
1-91-96 conventional
2-91-96 hidden design with fold down plate for roll pan style aftermarket rear cover
3- wagon under plate design
4 -wagon hidden hitch with fold down plate.

Only 1 and 3 can use the same side plates but will have different receiver tubes and chain plates.  That's a lot of jigs for not many hitch sales.

Any progress on the roll pan design?

I have a wagon with rollpan and am nearby in Jackson for testing. I'd like to get some structure behind the fiberglass. Just doesn't seem like a great idea.

I'm not sure if I want to get into filling the hatch yet, though. I have the same exhaust tips as you except the previous owner did a bend to put them in the center, keeping with the Corvette theme so a hitch would have to come out of the rollpan.

No progress, I've been working on other projects and... well summer. You're only the second person interested in a roll pan design. Do you hav e a licence plate pocket in the roll pan you'd be willing to cut open for receiver access?

Unfortunately, no, its a smooth one. I was just imagining it. I don't really need it anyway at this time but some day.

Thanks.

I have parts for 3 hitches remaining in stock. Once these are sold, I plan to only build these in group purchases of 5 or more.

I'll take one-local p/u.
melon
(pm'd & emailed KDS site contact)

melonman26 wrote:

I'll take one-local p/u.
melon
(pm'd & emailed KDS site contact)

Emailed back.

3 (Maybe 2 ^^^) left in stock.


Thank you.

And then there were 2 left......

1 set left

I'll be at the Southern Super Heavy Shootout at Atlanta Dragway this weekend, the last hitch can make the ride. If anybody is in the area, they can save some $$ on shipping.

Hi, Want to get in on this if possible!

I'm so new, I can't message beertestr... Hope he sees this

I'm getting a few nibbles here and there and thinking of building another round of hitches, how many people are interested in ordering a hitch? I'd like to get at least 5 interested buyers before dropping a fair chunk of change on tubing, laser cutting etc..

i may be interested...

Update:

I just put in an order for 5 more sets of laser cut pieces, and with udownwitk's interest, that's 3 potential buyers in the last 10 days. I plan to target shipment by Feb 5th, but will know more when I get a commitment from my laser cutter.

Stay tuned.

I have hitch parts in stock, PM me, or email me at michael@kds-performance.com for shipping quote.

NO RTR 7 wrote:

[url=https://smg.photobucket.com/user/miataracer/media/20150418_192051_zpsoat612rd.jpg.html][

Posting this from my phone so I hope the pictures aren't to huge. Got some laughs today at the boat launch when we pulled up with the 21 foot pontoon behind the wagon.

how do you like the bracket you made for the 7-pin plug? would you be willing to make another?

3 of 5 sold.

I'm Interested! Sending you an email.

All emails replied. Thanks!

Well it won't let me PM so please let me know if there's still one available. I need to get a class 3 ASAP for a towing trip coming up. I'm also on the stationwagonforum site and can PM there so feel free to drop a note there if need be.
Carguyray on all sites.

Please email me at michael@kds-performance.com, and we can go from there.

Bumping back up. It's 3 weeks before the Motown guys roll to Atlanta Dragway for SSHS16. If you are  interested in a hitch and would like to save on shipping, I'm taking pre-orders that can be picked up Sat November 12th at SSHS16 in Commerce, GA

Also, SEDAN hitches coming soon too!

16th Annual Southern Super Heavy Shootout

Maybe it's because it's a relatively warm day here in Detroit, but it reminds me that towing season is coming up. I have a few more pieces to make a handful of hitches, anybody in for one?

I'm Interested!

I'll buy one off of you. Let me know where to send the money.

are you still building these hitches ?

Isurf wrote:

are you still building these hitches ?

Yessir, I have pieces in stock to build 2 more and another batch of laser cut pieces on order. Please contact me via email, michael@kds-performance.com and I'll work up a shipping quote.

I saw on your site you are developing one for the earlier models, that the 77-8? tucked a bit different, still have those in the works?


If so, very interested in a "kit" version. i'd much rather save on shipping and weld it up myself.

beertestr, Thanks my hitch arrived today, looks good. It will wait for warmer weather to install. Might take a run at a test fit sooner if I get a chance.

OK, so I have my new hitch in bare metal. I'm thinking POR 15 to coat and protect.  Any other options, suggestions?

Thanks!

Tom

From my experience, POR is best when it has some roughness/rust to stick to. If it were me, I'd hit it will some etching primer and paint with top coat of your choice, semi gloss rustoleum ect. I wonder if rocker paint would look good, it is supposed to be chip resistant.

Skip the POR and go for a good prime and paint.

beertestr,
I just sent an email asking if you are still making these hitches. I have a 1993 with tow pack that I'd like to put on one. Let me know via email the damage to get one shipped to Lawrenceburg, KY 40342

Looking for a hitch for my 92 Roadmaster Wagon. Any one know how I can get hold of one of these.

Thanks to KDS for a nice piece of kit! Here's a video I made of my installation - I probably should have checked with Michael first before installing it in a way it wasn't exactly designed for... but here we are

I have a thread going in the member project section too if you're curious about the Duramax conversion overall. Still have a ways to go.

You might consider reinforcing the receiver at the rearmost face as they'll eventually split the tube, typically at the bottom.

If you look at any of the purchased receiver tubes, they all have a "doubler" at the face of them for this reason.

Good call, thanks. That actually 'reinforces' the point that I should have just bought a premade receiver tube and cut it to length. It would have already had the holes and the doubler and would have saved me some work. If I was doing it again, I'd go that way.

You might be able to cut a slice of 3x3x1/4 wall box tube that you can weld on as a doubler or spend a bit of time with the welder and just weld a bunch of 1/2" long stringers around the perimeter at the end to do the same thing.

Are these still being made?

Yes link is here: http://kds-performance.com/diy-kits-91-96-hitch-assembly/

Update on my KDS hitch - I really should have just used a pre-made receiver rather than using the extra bit of tube that I had left from the crossbar.

It turns out that the ID of the 2.5" 1/4" wall tube I was using was 2.02", and a standard receiver tube is 2.07". That 50 thousandths is a big deal, it's the difference between a draw bar fitting and not fitting. So, I had to cut off the receiver tube I made, and weld on a pre-made one. Something I should have done from the beginning, since it would have saved me making a thickened edge or having to drill the hole for the pin.