Hitch mounted ballast

mikeh · Dec 14, 2006

Been working on a design for hitch mounted ballast and unsure about actual hitch weight carrying capacity.

Is the max. tonque wt rating stamped on the hitch indicative of the actual weight it can bear, or is it a product of the percentage of the max. trailer wt. suggested for that hitch/vehicle?

I'd like to add around 700 lbs on the hitch, but I believe the max. stamped is 500. Truck is in the shop, so can't confirm.

wyldman · Dec 14, 2006

Tongue weight is based on what the hitch can support vertically.I would stay under the recommended tongue weight just to be safe.

If yu building something that big and heavy,isn't it going to be a bit much for the hitch ? How will you stabilize it ? and stop it from twisting\rocking side to side ?

I would recommend you build a frame mounted bumper for any ballast that big.

mikeh · Dec 14, 2006

Hi Chris:

I have access to molten lead. Planning to weld 2" square stock 90 degrees to a 8" diameter x 34" long pipe (with square stock going through one wall of pipe and butting inside of opposite wall) and filling it with lead.
If 500 is the limit, I can cut the length down to 24" and thinking a foot hanging on either side of the hitch mount won't require stabilizing. Still think stabilizing would be required?

Thanks for your input.

Wizard · Dec 14, 2006

The best hitch mounted balast I've found is a salt spreader full of salt :rockon. My balast makes me money too. :greenange payup

ratlover · Dec 14, 2006

You could probably weld some loops on the end of the pipe and then either find a spot or weld some loops to the bottom of your hitch, frame, etc. Then run those metal deals with the hooks on each end that are threaded and the block in the middle that you turn to draw the hooks together. Can never remeber what they are called.....

That much weight that far back will act much eavier to your truck than 500# in the bed. I have a smaller version that filled with sand....probably only weighs 75# or so.....works well.

payton · Dec 14, 2006

why not take a ratchet strap to each end to help stabilize them. quick on quick off.

only truly down side i see to this idea is your frame will get bent if your rear ended or back into something very hard.

that much extra weight plus the leverage on the hitch is gonna bend/break something.

Earthscapes · Dec 14, 2006

I'll make sure and never follow you LOL.
Your hitch should be able to handle 500#. You could make extra braces like the ones that are on my backplows. Here's a pic to give you an idea.

mikeh · Dec 14, 2006

Really just guessing at the amount of wt required, especially that far back. Westerns website calls for 800lbs behind the rear axle for my truck configuration. Since I have to load a good sized blower in and out of the bed, I'm trying to avoid having to shift ballast around when its in the way. Maybe a better plan is to cast a couple of lead blocks to sit behind the wheel wells on either side, but then I'll have to secure them.
Backing up frame damage won't be fun, but at least it'll protect that $14 Hella I have under the bumper!

Think I can get away with 200-300 lbs that far back? If it would ever *&$^&#** snow, I could quit bothering y'all and go see for myself.

mikeh · Dec 14, 2006

Oh Yeah, Ratlover--

Those thingymyjigies are turnbuckles, yes??

ratlover · Dec 15, 2006

Sounds right

Put 200-300 back there and see how she sits and rides with the plow up. You can always easily add some ballast in the bed. The chevys have the place for the boards and loops in the bed. Wouldnt be too hard to thow another 200# back there and secure it deccent if you were using bags of icemelt or water softener salt or the like. The water softener bags are pretty stout and you can use em come spring if you have a water softener

mikeh · Dec 15, 2006

Like that idea, thanks. Solar salt bags are pretty tough and would be used as you said. Appreciate it!

sbrennan007 · Dec 16, 2006

I had thought about this once when I saw one of those hitch mounted carrying platforms on the back of a van.

They were using it to carry camping supplies and I've also seen them put hot air ballons on them. I can't think of what they are called, but they have a grated bottom on them.

The only thing I thought of though was if you forgot it was there and backed into something such as a snow bank etc... I'd be worried that it could do more damage to the back of the truck if it got pushed up by a snow bank.

Joey D · Dec 17, 2006

I ran a platform like that 1 time last year, it would have been more but the season ended. Anyways i put about 400lbs of sand bags on it and it worked out better for me than in the bed. I could keep the bed open for the two blowers, little powerlite and the 12hp two stage plus the ramps. If it snows this year I will use it again and see if it lasts

Hitch mounted ballast

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