Bent Hitch Pin

Walkin Horse · Mar 9, 2015

About 3 years ago I bent the hitch pin on the truck receiver using it to pull a stump with. I have learned my lesson on jerking on the hitch. I haven't been to worried about it til now because I don't have a bumper pull trailer. Well things are changing and I need to fix it.

I have cut the pin off and tried to drive it out. No go. It must be bent like a u. Tonite I took a razor wheel and cut the 2" tube off thinking I could get the torch in there and cut the pin from inside. There was a rubber cushion in it. When I got that out, there's a steel plate in it so you can't see the pin. The back side is capped also.

Does anybody have an idea what between the plates. Maybe another chunk of rubber surrounding the pin? Anybody got any ideas what to do next. I'm thinking if nothing else drop below it and weld a new 21/2" tube underneath. This hitch is on a SD with several sleeves inside it. Thanks for any help. The new 2 horse trailer will be here next week.

amaxwell · Mar 9, 2015

Walkin Horse said:
About 3 years ago I bent the hitch pin on the truck receiver using it to pull a stump with. I have learned my lesson on jerking on the hitch. I haven't been to worried about it til now because I don't have a bumper pull trailer. Well things are changing and I need to fix it.

I have cut the pin off and tried to drive it out. No go. It must be bent like a u. Tonite I took a razor wheel and cut the 2" tube off thinking I could get the torch in there and cut the pin from inside. There was a rubber cushion in it. When I got that out, there's a steel plate in it so you can't see the pin. The back side is capped also.

Does anybody have an idea what between the plates. Maybe another chunk of rubber surrounding the pin? Anybody got any ideas what to do next. I'm thinking if nothing else drop below it and weld a new 21/2" tube underneath. This hitch is on a SD with several sleeves inside it. Thanks for any help. The new 2 horse trailer will be here next week.

Can you line up a drill bit the same size as the pin and drill as deep as the hitch receiver on each side ,then drive the whole tube out?

Diamondpilot · Mar 9, 2015

What year is the truck?

I would drop the entire hitch and try pressing it out. If that doesn't work or if it's approaching 10 years old I would just order a new hitch. They are fairly cheap.

Chris

PILOON · Mar 9, 2015

The pin is inside of the receiver 2 x 2 inch tube and bent in a 'VEE'
How about locking it in place with vice grips with the bottom of the VEE facing rear.
Position a solid steel rod or bar and with a heavy sledge giving it a solid wack or two, that should reverse the bend and possibly then you could drive it out from the side with a punch.
Worth a try.

If like mine was, years of rust may have it virtually welded but that's another challenge.
( I now grease both sleeve and hitch tube*)

* It also lessens rattling.

timswi · Mar 9, 2015

Diamondpilot said:
What year is the truck?

I would drop the entire hitch and try pressing it out. If that doesn't work or if it's approaching 10 years old I would just order a new hitch. They are fairly cheap.

Chris

I would just replace the hitch. All of the heating and banging can't be good..I certainly would not weld a new 2.5 under the existing..Way too much risk there..I have jerked draw bars until I nearly pulled the wheels off the ground or snapped tow chains and still never bent a pin...I wonder if there is other hitch damage related to this.

oosik · Mar 9, 2015

I've only had a square tube hitch once - that was once to often. I only use solid bar hitches now.

I recommend you purchase a new hitch.

pmsmechanic · Mar 9, 2015

amaxwell said:
Can you line up a drill bit the same size as the pin and drill as deep as the hitch receiver on each side ,then drive the whole tube out?

My vote is for this!

Walkin Horse · Mar 10, 2015

Thanks guys. I will try drilling it. If that doesn't work I guess replacing it is the only way to go.

RedNeckRacin · Mar 10, 2015

IF you are dead set on trying to salvage the hitch, a drift and a sledge may be the only option. (A slide sledge would be perfect for this.) I also vote for just replacing the hitch.