Making a custom 3" receiver for the LMTV M1078

[mcmxi]

I've had the M1078 for about a year now and I need/want to be able to pull my trailers around with it. It has a really stout Pintle hitch on it that I made use of when I towed my Jeep behind it on my way back from Seattle, but it's not something that I'd use on a regular basis.

Midwest Military Equipment sells a receiver that bolts on using the four bolts that hold the Pintle hitch in place but they're $550 or so and are sized for a 2-1/2" hitch rather than 3" so I decided to make my own receiver. I ordered a B&W 3" hitch with 7-1/2" of drop and the "tow & stow" feature. I have B&W receivers on my F250 and Jeep TJ so I'm familiar with their quality.

Other than the hitch, I also had to buy a 12"x3"x1/4" section of tubing which cost around $25. I bought two 15"x15"x1/2" plates a couple of years ago for $20 so decided to use them on this project. All in all it's coming out how I expected with few surprises. The plates are 4" apart and will be welded to the 4"x3"x1/4" cross member that sits below the Pintle.

I'm going to box in the plates with 3/8" plate and cut, fit and weld a square ring around the end of the receiver tube to strengthen it. I might add some gussets too but I should know tomorrow if they're needed. The top of the 2-5/16" ball will sit about 24" above the ground which should be ok. I can adjust the height of the Demco couplers on the trailers so not a problem.

The 3" hitch from B&W is rated for around 20,000lb so overkill for sure, but it makes sense on this truck.

 

[WFM]

I have a BW hitch that looks just like that.
I had no idea they made a 3" receiver.
Great job on the fabrication. "Beefy" for sure.

 

[allis15]

Link to pictures of other hitches available for the M1078 which has a payload capacity of 5,000 lb.

Gary

picture LMTV M1078 - Google Search

 

[mcmxi]

I have a BW hitch that looks just like that.
I had no idea they made a 3" receiver.
Great job on the fabrication. "Beefy" for sure.

Thanks! Yeah, they make 2", 2-1/2" and 3" hitches with various drops in the "tow & stow" models.

Tow & Stow Adjustable Ball Mount | B&W Trailer Hitches

The Tow & Stow adjustable ball mount trailer hitch gives you the versatility to swap ball sizes, adjust the height in seconds, and stow it under your vehicle when you're not towing.

www.bwtrailerhitches.com

 

[mcmxi]

I'm pretty much done with the receiver. I added three 3/8" thick gussets, boxed in the back of the tube, boxed in the plates, added a 1/2" thick "ring" around the end of the tube, and welded everything up using 7018 rods. I'm pleased with how it turned out, and after test fitting it to the truck this evening and confirming that it slides onto the 4"x3" rectangular tube with ease I'm looking forward to welding it on tomorrow.

The receiver plates are 15" wide to give some idea of the size of this thing. I'll need to do some clean up with the receiver on the bench rather than on the back of the truck but it won't take long. I'm debating adding some rings or eyes for trailer safety chains. If the chains will reach to the two shackles above the Pintle hitch I won't bother, but if not I'll probably add something.

 

[Lil Foot]

Looks very stout!

 

[leveraddict]

Nice work and great fab skills!

 

[D2Cat]

Looks like you made it to last! Weakest part is going to be where it welds to the truck!

 

[mcmxi]

Nice work and great fab skills!

Thanks! I really enjoy this sort of project. I'll post some photos once it's on the truck later today.

 

[mcmxi]

Looks like you made it to last! Weakest part is going to be where it welds to the truck!

There's going to be 50" of 7018 weld between the receiver and truck frame. The 4"x3" rectangular tube that this receiver will mount to is bolted and welded to the big plate that the Pintle hitch bolts to so I think this will be plenty tough.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Oh my. Me thinks it would take some serious talent to break that…not that it could not be done, but it would take some talent for sure.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Awesome job for sure.

My biggest problem would be the "overhead" welding. I haven't practiced that too much.

Love the piece though, looks fun.

 

[Smokeydog]

Love nice custom fabrication work. Good job!

 

[mcmxi]

Awesome job for sure.

My biggest problem would be the "overhead" welding. I haven't practiced that too much.

Love the piece though, looks fun.

Overhead isn't that bad, just need to keep a short arc. Vertical up is always a challenge unless you do it regularly. I don't see many YouTubers running 7018 rods vertical up. Vertical down doesn't get anywhere near as much penetration into the parent metal as vertical up, but it's much easier.

 

[mcmxi]

I added a couple of repurposed rings for trailer chains but I'm not sure if they'll stay. They looked better when I was welding them on but look kind of weird now. The receiver is positioned and tacked in place so now to the final welding.

 

[Trapper Bob]

I added a couple of repurposed rings for trailer chains but I'm not sure if they'll stay. They looked better when I was welding them on but look kind of weird now. The receiver is positioned and tacked in place so now to the final welding.

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The hitch looks really good. Not too heavy, not to light, like it was stock. I’m guessing it will be painted to match.
The Pintle does dominate the backside tho. I believe you can pull anything you wish.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I added a couple of repurposed rings for trailer chains but I'm not sure if they'll stay. They looked better when I was welding them on but look kind of weird now. The receiver is positioned and tacked in place so now to the final welding.

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I agree with your assessment of the rings. I'm not a fan. Not hideous, but just a little "clumsy" looking.

Maybe a "triangular piece" on the angled part that does not stick out as far, or points rearward instead of just dangling straight down?

Either way, nice job!

 

[mikester]

Awesome job for sure.

My biggest problem would be the "overhead" welding. I haven't practiced that too much.

Love the piece though, looks fun.

Practice makes perfect...swiss cheese underwear

 

[mcmxi]

I agree with your assessment of the rings. I'm not a fan. Not hideous, but just a little "clumsy" looking.

Maybe a "triangular piece" on the angled part that does not stick out as far, or points rearward instead of just dangling straight down?

Either way, nice job!

Yeah, I'm definitely going to cut off the rings and do something better. They're functional but aesthetically challenged. I was being lazy trying to use what I had, but cutting holes in a piece of plate and making something functional and visually pleasing is worth the effort. I don't plan on revisiting this once I start pulling trailers around.

 

[mcmxi]

Bit of an update. I bought a couple of 18,000lb rated D-rings from the local steel supply place and made up two mounting plates using remnants from the 1/2" thick plates I used for the receiver. In addition to providing a more elegant and functional solution for trailer chains, I'm also stiffening up the 4"x3"x1/4" tubing that the receiver mounts to. I'll post some photos of these plates installed later today.

I welding these D-rings onto the plates using 7018 rods so this is plenty strong. I beveled the edges of the plates where they butt up to the receiver so that I can get plenty of weld in there. I also increased the bevels on the D-ring mounting pieces (not sure what they're called) so that I could get a lot more weld in there too. Each side take two passes of 7018 to create the finished weld profile.