Hmmm...now that I think about it one of my classmates lives nearby. She routinely wore a shirt to class that read, "Welding is Sewing with Fire". (I'd love to learn myself, but I suspect it's like playing golf--gotta do it a lot to get even remotely good at it.)

howson Yoda Hey you guys I remembered seeing this when I was on the motorhome side of the game. Don't know if something like this could be adapted...I was thinking a 2X2 piece of wood in the receiver sticking back maybe 18-24 inches to accommodate the center stiffener crossbar http://protectatow.com/. Something way out of the box, but when not needed it just rolls up and doesn't weigh much. Roadmaster makes their own version also.

Dave

howson Howard, instead of elongating the holes in the insert (i think you are referring to the 2.5" to 2" piece), turn it 90 and drill new holes. I'm guessing your truck is 2.5" receiver.

There is also the option to buy the 2.5" shank if you do not have it already. Again guessing your truck is the 2.5" receiver.

Per the Blue Ox website, you may need to look up your specific model to verify part number.
299-0789 ....................... 2-1/2” Receiver Hitch Mount (BXW2000 only)

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...x/BXW4028.html (for measurements)

Great ideas, Joseph--thank you!

The Ford has a 3" receiver, so the insert sleeve I'd need is 3" to 2.5" (the Blue Ox has a 2.5" ball mount).

Now why didn't I think of this?

Dave,
Thanks for the idea! I watched a few YouTube videos and gave it a good look. Unfortunately I'm guessing all the "stuff" in the way from the bumper-to-the-trailer would fray that fabric and tear holes in it. There's also the issue of the tension bar they use to hold tension from side-to-side. All the stuff on the trailer "A" frame might interfere with it's operation.

I do appreciate the input, though!

hmmm. Guess I "forgot" about all that TT stuff up there. I was picturing a 5th wheel in my head.

howson Howard, what if it was a 2 pcs system? Piece 1 runs truck back and piece 2 runs trailer forward. Set the truck part lower than the TT part for protection and overlap so the road grime stays under the vehicles.

Jlawles2 -- if there was more time (and opportunity to test) I'm sure a system could be figured out, but there's too many other issues to address. Creating something behind the rear wheels will be enough of a challenge (for me).

Talked with Towtector this morning (friendly and helpful lady named Barb). She recommended the Tier 3 version of the Towtector. They've had complaints about the Tier 4's rubber flap allowing debris to bounce off of it and hit the rear bumper area. She said the Tier 3 outsells all their other versions combined. I'll likely go with the aluminum version. https://towtector.com/tier-3-aluminu...l-brush-strip/ I'll also get a wall mount for easy storage.

Since the height of my receiver is 20" hooked up, she recommended the 18" version (it has an additional 2" of adjustment available).

She is sending my pics to their engineer for review. Initial reaction is they like Jlawles2 idea to rotate and drill out the insert. Only question at this point is the anti-rattle device and how to incorporate something similar to take all the play (movement) out of the Blue Ox ball mount when it's installed in the insert.

Due to my dually's setup, she also recommended incorporating a heat shield. Incorporating the shield into the Towtector now is an extra $40--later it's >$100.

Reviewing the pictures, it's also obvious I'll have to route the DC-DC Charger cable differently as I won't want it coming through the Towtector (I have plenty of extra wire wrapped underneath, so will move it so the connection is attached near the ball mount...but exactly how and where will have to wait until I get (if I get?) the Towtector.)

Howard
Are you using an Anderson connector for your DC-DC wires? If so you might want to consider a bulkhead mount made for the Anderson connector beside the rear 7 pin connector in the bumper. Would an anti-rattle like this work? https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Anti-...HP2040-XL.html Just a thought.
Keith

The bulkhead mount doesn't work with the weatherproof covers as documented in the "Tapping 12V..." install thread. (I've got a set of the bulkhead mounts in my bought-it-but-didn't-use-it box.)

If the Blue Ox had a hollow shank--yes (as shown in the etrailer install video). The Blue Ox is solid, so that pin is a no-go.

howson Howard, lets think simple. Could you do something like https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-4-I...s%2C106&sr=8-1 with some type of magnet or push screw to hold it in place? Not certain of how the device mounts, but I'm almost certain once you get it in your hands something simple will work.

Side thought, weld nut to bottom of receiver tube over drilled hole, install bolt with bar handle, or use wrench (since you are already used to having to pull out a wrench to remove the WDH head).

Yoda

The Towtector won't work for me as the company does not have a solution to eliminate the rattle / movement of the Blue Ox. For those that don't understand, the pic below tries to show this gap and how the anti-rattle device I use now eliminates the problem. I can't use the device with the Towtector, and there's no other device (that I can find or they can recommend) that will work, either.



What I'm looking at now is Rockstar's Under Bumper Tow Guards. This is actually what I wanted in the first place--never was a fan of the ball-mounted flaps. Working with the company now to get the installation manual to review. With the additional extension it the rubber is 97". Actual wheel-to-wheel on my dually is 96".

You like to think outside the box, Joseph! However, since I'm going to spend $$$ for an off-the-shelf setup, it's got to work out of the box. If I have to come up with a work-around, I'll do it all from scratch myself (as suggested by Brian, Country Campers , previously). But time is the limited resource right now...I can't spend a lot of it on this one issue. If I can buy a solution, I'll go that route. Would really like a non-ball mounted solution, too. The tow flap solution mimics what I see on Class A's.

Thanks again for all the inputs--it does shake up my paradigms (which is a good thing).

Howard

There's a box? That must be the speck I see every now and then way off in the distance.