View Single Post
Old 06-07-2013, 01:38 AM   #107 (permalink)
christofoo
Master EcoModder
 
christofoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 292

00C - '00 Toyota Corolla
90 day: 43.54 mpg (US)
Thanks: 147
Thanked 190 Times in 73 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by talonts View Post
If you don't mind cutting it back up, a relatively self-centering pivot point on the top hinge point can be made with 2 sizes of tubing and a bit of cutting/grinding. It would allow you to drop the carrier into the hitch upright and then insert the pin easily.

Basically, you want to install a piece of tubing through the upright on the carrier that sticks out about 1/2-3/4" each side. Slot the inner sides of the hitch uprights for those tubing stubs to drop into. Weld a slightly larger tube size into the hitch uprights for the carrier upright stubs to rest on. Then weld in the same size tubing as used in the carrier upright to the hitch uprights - basically you are making a captured door hinge.

If you make the slots angled rearwards, so the weight of the carrier pulls it into alignment at the bottom of the slot, you are pretty much guaranteed that the hole for the pin will line up automatically.
It took me a minute to envision this, but I like it. It's definitely a good way to get the box on and off the car. My other idea is to make a stand to hold up the back of the box so the stinger can be removed from the receiver by one person. Before the end of the summer I'll decide which one wins and put it into action, thinking I'll need it to get the A-B-A tests done.
  Reply With Quote