DIY Overland Articulating Hitch
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- čas přidán 9. 10. 2021
- Today on Dirt Lifestyle we are going to make an articulating, overland, offroad hitch thingy! Lots of reasons not to build one of these yourself so consider all of your options. I'm excited to finally build an offroad trailer because I've been thinking about this project for years. Let's see what kind of weird stuff we can build!
Enjoy the video!
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Due to factors out of the control of Dirt Lifestyle, we cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Dirt Lifestyle assumes no liability or responsibility for property damages or injury incurred as a result of any information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Dirt Lifestyle recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and/or with tools seen in this video. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Dirt Lifestyle. Be safe!
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#overland #overlanding #overlandtrailer - Auta a dopravní prostředky
There comes a point in life where a man needs a lathe and a mill. You sir, I believe, are at that point.
Agreed!
Lol dude I wish!!!
Absolutely true Nate
@@DirtLifestyle a small used lathe and Bridgeport are totally affordable.
Nate here in the UK lathes are to found in FB Marketplace for very little money(when you look at what your actually buying(Boxford/Myford/Colchester) being the norm…
Hi Nate, I've been watching your channel for a while now and really enjoy it. Especially the fabrication. I worked as a millwright in a papermill for 23 years. And with that experience I have just one suggestion. Because none of your bushings will regularly rotate a full 360 degrees the grease is going to find it hard to go everywhere like you would want it to. I suggest you put small grooves on the bushing that will give the grease a place to travel around the bushing.
I like this idea 👍
I wish I had access to some machining tools lol.
The plan is to spin them while I pump the grease in
we tpyed the same thing at the same time
@@DirtLifestyle You can take a dremel and grinde a small grove from the grease point. If you do it in a spirale the grease will be evenly distributed :)
I typed the same thing before deleting the post after seeing this one. I'd definitely do the spiral grooves, and like mentioned above, could be added by a dremel or die grinder with a carbide burr. I've purchased parts in the past with this design, and stored the idea in the back of my mind for if and when I needed it.
I’m in aviation maintenance and all landing gear and flight controllers have those paths for the grease to move around so it would be a good idea
True words, there is nothing like a over build safety and strength most important . Good project. Thank you
I fully agree. When I’m building something, or buying tools, I always do a risk analysis. If this breaks, what could happen? Personal or by stander injury? Or it breaks and I’m stuck on a shorty situation? Property damage? What am I willing to risk?
Other people’s injury is always a no for me. If I was building an off road trailer, I’d made it have an interchangeable tongue. One that I can use an off the shelf tongue to get me to the trail, then I can swap it out for my DIY full articulation tongue. This solves both issues, reducing risk and liability.
Nate I think your vehicle connection should be double sheer as well, but you’ve gone over and above otherwise. It’s impossible for that 12” bolt to back out all the way because it’s got the linkage behind it. Great job.
Facts
I agree, they say a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, I dont like how it's connected to the hitch by nothing but a weld. I don't trust that, I don't care who welds it. If it breaks, thats where its gonna go
Another vote for the double sheer on the pin. Constructive criticism only here . Mad respect for your work, video, and presentation!
Just came across this video, I work steel for a living, welding and fabrication, I have the experience and I appreciate the candidness if explaining what not to do for the novice.
I think bushing is the term you are looking for :-)
Bushing:
1. a metal lining for a round hole, especially one in which an axle revolves.
Bearing:
4. a part of a machine that bears friction, especially between a rotating part and its housing.
My knee jerk reaction was to agree with you lol but I figured I should look up the definition first.
I think this is more of a bearing then a bushing only because it's not a metal lining but in either case I hope you could understand what I was poorly explaining lol. 🤦♂️
Thanks for the comment 🙌
Love your channel Nate!! Been watching since Bleeping Jeep. I appreciate that you are honest about the things your are building are not for everyone. I don’t think a lot of people really think about what could happen to you and loved ones when these kind of things fail. Thanks for keeping it real!!!
Nate I’m still in awe of the work you do. There’s nothing better than experience when your doing it your self.
I'm looking forward to seeing the trailer build, you're always full of knowledge and your videos snowball my thought process
I'll either scrap what I have or reinforce the trailer
I thought the thumbnail said "buick. simple. strong." Which made me think you REALLY love that land river engine.
Lol
I always wanted to see a super hitch done . And this is very inspiring. Thanks for sharing!!
If I can give you a suggestion. Take the inner sleeve you made and cut some spiral grooves around it for the grease to have a passage to travel around the sleeve when you grease it.
Thanks, excellent instructional video, I would like to make one like it with all the security lines recommended by you. I hope you continue making videos like these
I agree with you Nate. Do it right. You have made a great video with great information. Thanks Nate.
You honestly have thee best offroad channel on here. The amount of ideas and inspiration I get from your videos is awesome. Thanks for the great content man.
I like the way you over build everything you do. Awesome…👍🏽👍🏽
Awesome start to what I'm sure will be one of my favorite series! Been wanting to build my own offroad trailer! This is going to be cool!
I love how you have an idea and you build something. I will say though, there's already an easy way to set up a hitch that'll pivot 360. Pintle hitch. Use a standard lunat on the trailer side, and find a pintle hitch off a military humvee, or truck. The military pintles spin 360, and are spring loaded to reduce bounce. I've seen several people make them work with standard 2 inch hitches.
They work great but are noisy. At what point does a 2 5/16" not give enough angle? I've put trailers in some stupid positions with just a ball. Look at a grader ball link set up.
Agreed. The work put into this far outweighs any benefits on a pintle for me. Still cool though.
The primary reason for the 360 articulation is for rollovers. That's you can roll the trailer without it pulling the tow vehicle, and vice versa. Military pintles are spring loaded and spin 360 instead of fixed pintles just for rollovers.
This is what i was going to say. This is alot of work for what a pintle will do.
They sell them at Northern tool. $100 But either way it’s still cool
Great video on explaining your thought process and build for something as complex as a full articulating hitch assy! Also way to stay productive while waiting on parts for your projects.
Appreciate you addressing the safety concerns about doing this type of project
Loved the video. I look forward to your trailer build. It will be awesome. Thank you for the disclaimer at the end.
Love that. Cannot wait too see the whole trailer. I’ve been meaning to build one also.
I'm excited to see your trailer build. I've been working on a 4x6' trailer on 35's for a while.
Great looking hitch!!! Awesome heads up too….I still love the idea of the pintail hitch for off road….for exactly the reasons you spoke about👍🏻. As always great stuff…can’t wait to see the trailer build!!
I have built one of these in the past. It worked fantastic for my trailer. Your's is also well designed. I dig it.
Side note. Mine full decked out, filled with water, gas, ect came in at just 1800# with an all metal construction and some pretty beefy components. So this hitch design will pull it all day with no fuss.
For anyone who does decide to build a hitch like this, I would recommend towing to the trail with a standard DOT approved hitch and swapping at the trailhead and only using it offroad just to absolve yourself of the liabilities.
Very well done! I love watching you fabricate. Great ideas and great videography!
This was a super cool inspirational video. Thanks for taking the time to explain the risks involved with something like this and then immediately saying “GO BUY ONE, DON’T BUILD IT.” I’m the type of person that despite having zero welding experience would be tempted to take this on as a first project without a second thought. I appreciate the warnings AND the education on both the safety of this and the shop-level “engineering” that went in to this. Thanks, Nate!
The disclaimer at the end was well put and spot on. Nate, I love your vids, please keep it up man!
I like the option of being able to remove the articulating hitch from the trailers. I personally would run a standard ball cupler on the highway and swap to the articulating hitch once at the trail head. Already gotta air down so am extremely couple minutes to swap hitches is gonna hurt. Less wear and tear on the articulating hitch and I feel a standard ball controls trailer sway and bounce better with the lack of rotational movement
Check out the DO35 coupling. Silent , flexible and easy to connect/ disconnect. I use it on mine, and we really wheel it.
Wow talk about beef! Definitely lots of thought and reinforcement put into the articulating hitch. Looking forward to the continued progress!!
I would replace these two gold bolts with fine thread bolts and use some sort of safety pins, plus spring washers. I believe that the tow ball you showed comes with a spring washer and has a fine thread, these are important details.
I love the design as always, that comes without saying ;)
Brilliant stuff at the end . . it takes some real wisdom to talk about that stuff the way you do. Very cool - thanks as always.
Always very interesting to see "field engineering" in action, very admirable. Looking forward to watching this build progress.
I have been waiting for this build! I just began building my own offroad trailer last winter. I hope you don't make me regret any of my design choices!! Lol
Ohhhhhh, exciting, I have been waiting for the trailer build
Very interesting project! I have seen that type of hitch before but I dont know how they are called, great for off road. Thank you for sharing!
Wise words!! Cool project!
When I started watching this I was worried but when you clarified with your disclaimer at the end that was good. We are so lucky in Australia we have a many high quality off the shelf hitches to choose from. I use a McHitch automatic connector they are rated at 7,700 pounds which is pretty much the standard rating here. Fun viewing.
Great hitch. Better advice. This guy is the real deal.
When you started pulling the welding cart out again I got excited all the way over here in Australia ha. Love your welding and fab videos nate.
Cool build. Glad you mentioned adding side gussets to that initial tube joint. Adding a top plate from the drop part of the hitch over the top of the first bolt would put that in double shear and add a ton of extra strength. Just a thought
This is the best design I have ever seen....I am a retired mechanical engineer and designed/worked with linkages and mechanical control systems for 39 years and you really thought this one through. Great job
Edit to add: I did see some of the commnets below after I posted and I agree....machining in grease passages on the bushings will facilitate better grease distribution
It reminds me of a hinge 👍 I like how you set it down low to take the leverage off the bolt that was well thought through 💯 looks and works nice!!!
Overbuild is good! Really enjoy the show!
Love all the content that you produce!! I can honestly state that I have watched the majority of your videos repeatedly.
If I ever have a question about my build I can answer it by watching your channel or Big Tire Garage. You are the go to though because you work with tools that I have access to.
I was happy when you said you would add gussets on the pivot 😁👌
Really look forward to seeing this project!
I was a welder fabricator for 17 years. You over engineered that sucker as much as I would have. Great design!
Well, that was interesting!
Lots of people don’t understand snow. Seems so simple but there is wet snow vs dry snow vs granular vs frozen (that’s right frozen) vs fluffy vs snow pack and icy bottom and crusted top….. winter wheeling is definitely different. I’m in the prairies of SK and we get most of those conditions. Tough going!
You guys did well and look at the memories you have made! Cheers
Awesome build, great PSA at the end.
Saw this last week for the first time.
Now a DIY How-To
👍
After watching several of your videos all I can say is wow! You sir are blessed! Blessed with the gift of creativity among many other things. Thank you for sharing and inspiring, love all your videos, adventuring and instructional 💯👍🏼👍🏼
Thank you very much for the positive comment! We are honored to have you enjoying the videos 👍
Hello I showed your hitch design to a friend .He owns and maintains 15 combines 12 trucks and trailers . Does his own fabrication and welding . He was amazed how you designed and welded it together. We copied it and and in 3 hrs. Had it finished. He says it doesn't need double shear and can pull anything I want. Thanks for sharing.
What an awesome build !
Love the fab stuff as much as the wheeling stuff keep it up Nate
Bushing! Is the word you were looking for. 😁👍
Awesome design!
I am going to chime in here, as someone that has worked for a company that fabricated trailer hitches that was DOT approved. What this man said is 100% true. As I’ve seen trailer hitch companies start up and then shut down, because their product failed due to design flaws and poor manufacturing procedures after being put on the road. As peoples lives depend on the quality of things like a trailer hitch, and how it’s attached to the vehicle. And the last thing you want, is that beautiful 1955 Chevy or 5,000 pound load slamming into an oncoming car because of a bad hitch or ball that was welded on.
As a senior engineering student, you sir are smarter than most engineers. I watch this channel for inspiration and design ideas to help with my own projects. Keep up the awesome work!
As a journeymen engineer in industry... I'll second your comment!
Most engineers are not smart, they just test well.
@@asherdie Incorrect, but trolls will believe what they believe.
@@Engineer_Bear poor little fella, did I touch a nerve?
Just my 30 years experience.
@@asherdie still trolling? The fish your after may be out of season buddy.
I’m definitely going to go home and look at my articulating hitch. Pretty sure I got a middle of a road one but have been towing my Offroad trailer with it and actually have really liked it. Never has done me dirty but definitely want to see how everything is held in!
This is really well designed you did a good job. sandwiching that sleeve to make it stationary so that nothing spins on the bolt was smart. The only thing I was going to say was the gussets and then you said it yourself before I could type it. Cant wait to see how this thing ends up!
Just stumbled across your channel and it's awesome!
Love how you make what you’ve got work! Used your Harbor Freight bender ideas on my channel, worked great!’Thanks
Awesome job!
I really enjoy your videos! You are really talented. Keep up the good work!
I agree 100%. I've had quite a few people ask me to weld on their hitches and trailer tongues over the years. I never have. With the liability issues I've seen friends go after friends and families feud after failed welds.
It’s overkill. 👍 nice and strong. No problem pulling out from the trailer now. Great fab work!
You have a good design. I'd use it. Great video, looking forward to the trailer.
You build some of the coolest things i get to see
the 1/2" receiver pin is now the weak link, may as well beef that up while you're at it, great skills man
Usually it's 5/8" on 2" receivers. It'd probably take a high speed collision to shear that. It'd most likely bend the hitch first.
@@jake-mv5oi once i lost the key to a locking pin, it popped in two quite easily with a pipe wrench, not nearly as strong as i was expecting but i hope you're right
@@notsevenfeettall good point
Love the offroad fab videos mixed in with the overlanding videos
Thats an excellent design Nate, i cant promise not to copy it. Its also built the way would do it anyway.✌
Good job 👍 I like it 👊
Great design and great explanation. Safety thir.......FIRST, FIRST!!
I'll never have the tools or your skills, but you are fun to watch.
Freakin love your channel man.
That’s exactly what I need for my ATV trailer! Thanks for the idea. (Off Hwy… don’t worry.😆)
I've seen two brands of these hitches, and this one seems to be built considerably better.
This one seems quite well built, but there is one thing I've seen on the mass-produced versions that this doesn't have, that could reduce the need for the gusset there.
They put the truck-side pin BEHIND the trailer-side pin, so if the weld or polymer block break down, you're still dragging with a pair of crossed pins. The rest looks very good to me.
Thats a TON of work for something easily purchased thats probably safer and better from Max Coupler. In fact I had a Max Coupler and never really saw a need for it. Guys were running standard hitches on the same trails no issue and less likely to roll over and take your Jeep with. Food for thought. Sometimes its just better to buy something.
It's a Bushing! Thanks for the video, you do nice work.
I would make the main bolt/pin double shear. Because it's not "jammed" against the hitch tongue, it'll allow for slop on that 1" bolt to move, wear, and fatigue, especially without the wide flange that the ball has to distribute shear. Also, maybe thread that front collar onto the logitudinal spindle for secondary /backup clamping on that spindle. Love the build. Keep it up!
Hi Nate, Love your channel and love this project! I personally do not like camping offroad trailers for overlanding ( everything should fit in the vehicle or it doesnt belong, but each to their own and they are cool nonetheless). The one thing maybe you could look at is that you have a single sheer on the part of your "universal joint" where the tow ball used to be? By welding a plate on the top with a hole in so the tube can slide between the two you would make it a lot stronger. The reason I believe it can be an issue is that the tow ball is tightened directly to to bottom of the plate, whereas now you are tightening it from the top +-50mm away from the plate with a long bolt which has much more sheer force and opportunity to flex. I realise that would might make that you cannot just remove this hitch and put the ball back, unless you make the plate at the top removable with bolt or something. You could also step the bolt grade up to 10.9 , I do have some experience with the towbar industry ( I was the technical representative of a company that supplied all of the major tow-bar manufacturers in South Africa at some point and I still supply some of these customers with components that I manufacture through my company) and they all use specially made 10.9 grade bolts for any fastener that links the car with the trailer. Again, good job so far and keep up the good work!
I've never even heard of 10.9 bolts. Thanks for the info. I like your thinking on that being a shear point. It also has more leverage as the ball is so low in comparison. With that said it's probably overkill when you consider it's functional use. He built this to be built right though, so I'm sure losing the hitch's versatility of being able to go back to a ball is negligible.
amazing job wow that hitch is good for a 10k trailer the way it looks.
Lovely stuff ....
Better to be overbuilt than underbuilt! That looks STRONG!
I've built a hatch 2 years ago but it only rotates side to side. I took it to the highway patrol station and they approved it. Just like you do with homemade trailers. I now thinking of upgrading it.
Good job guyz keep it up
Great Job!
bearing -> bushing i believe is the word you were looking for? love the build. yoink.
Add a plate on top of the bolt in the original hitch - make it a double shear also.
Absolutely appreciate you man - great channel.
This will be some cool videos on this. Awesome disclaimer dude
Damn.. that thing is awesome! 🔥🔥🔥🔥👊💪
I like the clevis hitch set up on my M101 trailer. Simple and durable. This is high end McGuyver fabrication hitch . Zirk fittings..super sporty.
That’s awesome. Would love to build something like this one day!!
Same here! Kraft offroad. Would like to see trailer build a video on your channel.
@@MS-kh2je that may be coming one day👀
Brother, Awesome video! Good advice for most! Especially the ones that can't weld! Shouldn't be building anything until they get certified as a welder! They make a Breakaway Switch for trailers and that's why you have safety chains! Best Regards!
Very slick man
You are 100% Correct Nate. There are a Lot of sketchy trailers out there.
I get that there’s a little extra expense, but you could base all of this off a big universal joint and buy off the shelf tractor yokes. This would allow full articulation without all that length
I 100% agree with your comments at the end of the video. I'm putting together a small, off-road capable trailer, too. I don't have the skills to build the trailer, so I ordered my trailer and am modifying the sleeping quarters using the skills I do have. With that in mind, I thought I'd offer some food for thought. Part of my plan is to use the Lock n Roll system and I've started ordering parts from them, but I've read some general concerns about using an articulating hitch on the highway. I'm not sure how valid some of the concerns are, but I still think some of the concerns may be valid, so I also have a solid 2"x2" bar with a standard 2" coupler that I plan to use primarily for highway use. It may be a bit more time consuming to swap out hitch setups when I head off-road, but I like the idea of having both hitches, both for safety and redundancy. Just a thought to share. Looking forward to watching this build.
I'm excited to see this series. I'd love to build a trailer to do this but I know my skills aren't that high.
This has been on my to do list
Me too! For many years...
2 thoughts: A full wrap around gusset for the 1st pivot, and 2) A tab for the top of the first pivot, to put that bolt in double shear, making that much stronger if you pull anyone with the trailer.