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Since I didn't have any correct size square tube, I had to make my own. Ultimately I didn't use the one I made though - I can't remember why now, but I ended up paying $40 or something totally ridiculous for a 12" piece of square tube from a trailer shop.
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Here's the full layout of the tow-hitch.
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Callie does all my welding now...
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You can never have enough clamps.
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I think that's enough welding fumes for today.
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After completing the tow-hitch assembly, I started work on the tow-bar assembly. Here I'm cutting and facing the ends of the two diagonal side-tubes.
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This block will be the pivot point where the tow-hitch is attached to the car.
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I tacked, and welded them while attached to the bar to keep the holes in alignment.
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Another pic of the bar ends.. Coolant is great, just remember your raincoat!
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Here's the parts for the completed tow-bar being packaged for their airplane ride. I'm still amazed that no one said anything about my 3 120lb check-in luggage 'boxes'.
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The two pieces with screws in them will be attached to the tow-hook mounts on the car.
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Center piece for the tow-hitch.
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These pieces replace the stock bumper shocks.
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Attaching the tow-bar to the car went very well except for when I smooshed my camera in the lift....
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Everything buttoned back up.
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800 miles into our journey, we stopped off at Walt's house..
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Callie and Conrad slept for almost 3,200 miles!
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The car ate my wife's hair!
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Man. Tailgaters....
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After being left on the car for 9 months, outside, the tow bar is a bit rusty...
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