class 3 trailer hitch for 89 van

[MNmopar]

Looking to pick up a class 3 trailer hitch in good condition for a '89 voyager. Hoping to save a few bucks over the new ones.

[2.216VTurbo]

Not sue if this helps you much but on two different vans I just went to the boneyard and unbolted the hitches I wanted. There are some crappy hitches out there tho. Are vans scarce in MN yards now? Even when I can't find any 80's/90's Mopars there are still a good supply of vans.

[MNmopar]

That's a good point, I may be able to find one in a yard. I was going to try and put one on from a Grand Cherokee, but the way it mounted (just from the bottom, not the sides) made me nervous because of how thin the metal is on the "frame" back there. I'm not a hitch expert, what should I keep an eye out for so I can get a good one?

[GLHS60]

I put a class 3 on my 1989 Voyager LX many years ago.

They were scarce around here, I only put it on as I was flipping another van with one and stole it.

I don't think I ever towed with it, I just wanted the ability to.

My towing days are over, especially with Rampages !!

Thanks
Randy

Attachment 61481

[2.216VTurbo]

So you're saying Randy that towing a load heavier than you tow rig is a bad idea? Huh, who knew

[GLHS60]

We learn from our experiences AJ!!!

If I only knew how to make my attachment work I wouldn't feel so dumb.

Thanks
Randy

[lightbulb010]

My friends 95' van has a class III hitch on it. I believe it's a dealer installed hitch. It only has tabs connecting to the bottom of the frame. The crappy ones are really flimsy looking and they have a small receiver. I've seen quite a few hitches that only attach to the bottom. Just make sure you're not attaching it to rusty metal and watch your tongue weight. The ones purpose built for a caravan are best though. The universal ones usually hang low and would be almost useless on a caravan. The one on my friends van is about as high up as it could be and it's out of the way of the spare. Been trying to get him to sell it to me for awhile now since he doesn't even use it. Where do you see new ones for sale?

[2.216VTurbo]

We learn from our experiences AJ!!!

If I only knew how to make my attachment work I wouldn't feel so dumb.

Thanks
Randy

Are you certain you are using the "go advanced" box when you submit an attachment? Wont work from quick reply...

[GLHS60]

Let me try again AJ !!

Thanks
Randy

[masterjr33]

this is the one i got.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reese-Class-...-/332098611810

Reese 33046


this connector made it plug and play.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Curt-55493-V...-/332009532343

[2.216VTurbo]

Bingo Randy, pics working! Or at least I can see them

[Vigo]

The hitches i have seen for these vans (ive owned about 3 hitches for these vans) mostly do just connect to the bottom of the 'frame rails'. The one i removed from my van when it became a 'race' van was attached by 4 1/2" bolts per side. I would have happily bungee jumped the entire van off a cliff from that hitch. I was not at all worried about it coming off.

I got mine from my parents' 97 (newer gen) van when they traded it in. I believe i may have drilled some of the holes in the frame for it myself and used others that were already there. Anyway, keep in mind when junkyarding that at LEAST the 96-00 and possibly even the later vans' hitches can be made to fit.

[GLHS60]

Appreciate the kind input AJ!!

Thanks
Randy

Bingo Randy, pics working! Or at least I can see them

[MNmopar]

The hitches i have seen for these vans (ive owned about 3 hitches for these vans) mostly do just connect to the bottom of the 'frame rails'. The one i removed from my van when it became a 'race' van was attached by 4 1/2" bolts per side. I would have happily bungee jumped the entire van off a cliff from that hitch. I was not at all worried about it coming off.

I got mine from my parents' 97 (newer gen) van when they traded it in. I believe i may have drilled some of the holes in the frame for it myself and used others that were already there. Anyway, keep in mind when junkyarding that at LEAST the 96-00 and possibly even the later vans' hitches can be made to fit.

Thanks Vigo, that's good to know. I grabbed one from a 1993 Grand Cherokee and it will fit underneath, it just doesn't look like there's much meat there to screw it to. Not rust, just real thin metal. Did you but any kind of bracing inside the rail when you did yours?

[lightbulb010]

Usually you use carriage bolts with long rectangular washers on the inside of the frame. The square portion of the carriage bolts engage the square holes in the washers and since they are long they will not allow the carriage bolts to turn when you tighten the nuts down.

EDIT:https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...ailer/RHK.html You can get that stuff cheaper but that's a good pic.

I would drill new holes personally. AFAIK the holes that are already there are pretty big. They should be big enough to fit the bolts through and there are also angled slots on the sides of the rails. The wire in that link is a leader to help get the bolts into position. It would suck to lose a bolt somewhere in the frame. I lost one of my good sockets through the hole where the transmission mount center bolt is and I had to buy a new one.