Inliners International Forums General Discussion Truck Talk Receiver Hitch for '53 Pickup

What receiver hitch can be most easily modified to fit a '53 1/2 ton Chevy pickup? I'm using a stock rear bumper and will leave the spare tire under the bed. I have one from my '89 GMC. Those frames are narrower than the '53. Anyone done this? I want to tow my travel trailer or my car hauler.

Beater

Check the local U-Haul, I just went fron hitch to hitch with a measuring tape and I believe it was a mid 80's Olds wagon that was the closest, still had to fabricate some side brackets.

I know Reese has a universal mount receiver. My Dad mounted one on an S10. It's not as strong as a custome fit receiver though. It has a bunch of holes drilled in it for different frame widths. If you use it, do yourself a favor and weld the thing together after it is bolted up. You may want to look into an RV reciever hitch, the frames should be wider. If all else fails, get out your tape measue and find the closest scrap yard.

With the bed off now this is one of the many issues that got rolled into the "4 day paint job" in May. I wish one of the hitch companies had a spec sheet. Like about every thing else I have a few hitches laying around to play with. It had a nice diamond plate Barden bumper on it when I got it, hitch and lights in it. Not the look I wanted.

Go to a Uhaul shop with a tape measure, you'll find one that will either fit or be dang close.

try a Chevy Suburban hitch

I went by the local Y'all Haul on my way home from our Inliner meeting. I'd rather go to jail than go back there. I'll check out the one in Carson City.

Hi,

I went yo u-haul and picked up a RV receiver for my 50 1/2 ton.
The cross bar is adjustable in relation to frame mounts. After supports are mounted to frame center receiver then weld .

Hope this helps,
48Ed56pam

Different ruck but just mounted one on my 55 2nd series. Frame rails are 34 inches apart, outside to outside. Hitch is for a 63-87 Chevy pickup and I had to drill the mounting holes on the frame. Hitch sits flush below bumper.

I'm still working on it. It will have a hitch before the bed goes back on. Still working on the 4 day quickie paint job from May.

Here is the one I did on my '46. I hid it under a custom valence panel. Don't forget the trailer wiring. I chost to use the 7-pin plug because I must use trailer brakes.

Yes, wiring. That will be best done while the bed is off and I'll go with a 7 pin as well. With all the adapters now it is easy hook up to just about anything if you have enough wires to start with.

With a 7-pin you can even charge your battery without having to open your hood.

I would never have thought of that. But I can do that anyway because it's under the passenger floorboard.