how much vertical weight have you had on your 4 bolt hitch?

[jeep-N-montero]

So last year I removed the full factory receiver setup and went with the style that uses only 4 bolts to attach, I was wondering how much weight you guys have had hanging off of your 4 bolt hitch? I am asking how much you have had on their vertically, not so much horizontally like when pulling a trailer for example, I have towed several trailers without issue but vertical shearing is much different than horizontal. Reason being I want to use my hitch basket/carrier to go pick up a front and rear SR axle setup next week and prefer to limit the chances of gear oil getting everywhere.

 

[plh]

I've had an SR rear wheel flange to wheel flange axle in a basket on my '93. Transported it about 30 miles that way a couple times. That is the extent of heavy things hanging. Dragging - I've towed my Gen 1 with a tow bar about the same distance once also with the '93.

 

[verdesardog]

As long as you stay within the specs of said trailer hitch set up you should be fine.

 

[Hondaslayer]

Exactly,

What is the tongue weight limit for your hitch?
Typically they are rated at 150 - 250 lbs.

There's your limit.

 

[ManfromSnowyRiver]

I sheared off a hitch one time. Here is how. Driving maybe 65mph with 9-10K on a trailer an axle broke on the trailer jamming up the tires on one axle. Difficult to drive straight I went onto the shoulder to get off the road, to avoid bigger problems I had to slow down slowly and was not able to stop before a 10' deep arroyo, the hitch sheered off the bolts as I plummeted to the bottom. Had to go into town, get the bolts drilled out and new bolts, go back unload the back hoe and other junk on trailer, take axle off, limp to town to fix........Needless to say I did not get much done that day. So, yes it can be done, but it aint easy!

 

[nckwltn]

You're could do a one day rental on a uhaul trailer for 15-20 bucks.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I sheared off a hitch one time. Here is how. Driving maybe 65mph with 9-10K on a trailer an axle broke on the trailer jamming up the tires on one axle. Difficult to drive straight I went onto the shoulder to get off the road, to avoid bigger problems I had to slow down slowly and was not able to stop before a 10' deep arroyo, the hitch sheered off the bolts as I plummeted to the bottom. Had to go into town, get the bolts drilled out and new bolts, go back unload the back hoe and other junk on trailer, take axle off, limp to town to fix........Needless to say I did not get much done that day. So, yes it can be done, but it aint easy!

Was this in a Montero, why on earth were you towing so heavy with it?

 

[ManfromSnowyRiver]

Was this in a Montero, why on earth were you towing so heavy with it?

Starting out in construction I used them as work trucks. Actually always did, but early on they served for towing as well. That load was pretty crazy because we needed a lot of stuff in a remote spot to get done. But 5-7K was the norm. Want to hear what happened when I was off-road with a similar load in the snow and had to back up due to 5 vehicles piled up on a switch back corner? Good times.

 

[KyleT]

Op remember the weight hanging off back there acts like a lever.


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[jeep-N-montero]

Op remember the weight hanging off back there acts like a lever.


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Yes, hence the reason for the thread/question. I will likely just take the small trailer instead.

 

[KyleT]

The bolts will see more tension than shear forces I would guess.


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