Sketchy Hitch replacement.

Hey guys, Well, This should be an interesting one. This crazy trailer had been modified to accept or use a regular style trailer receiver, and..... it broke. I really didnt like having to swap it out since it looked so sketchy but It wasnt as bad as it looked once I started. Still not fun but it ended well. Let me know what you think. Thanks for the support in advance and thanks for the follow.
Here's a link to some of the tools I use. amzn.to/3TnyFdv

[@RuggedArtistry]

That' style coupler is commonly found on horse trailers and not really up to the task of a heavy construction trailer. I kept thinking that there were far better ways to repair it than to duplicate the failed hitch. It all made sense to me when you said that the trailer was borrowed and the customer just wanted you to put it back to where it started. As always, you did a fine repair job but I can't help but wonder about liability issues. Thanks for the video!

[@johnnygolden7401]

Agreed there, that trailer is obviously towing stuff it was never intended to haul.

[@arustydodge2111]

Your work was solid, ISAAC. The tongue on that was a mess. Blows your mind why they didn’t leave the pintle set up on. You can only do what the customer wants!👍👍

[@wromzick9457]

It does make you wonder what happened that they did a reverse cut back into the web of the beam to create a bird's mouth cut and then weld a rated ball hitch to all of it. Good thing that it is being used to only haul signs. Definitely a construction project site trailer.

[@nitro5955]

@@wromzick9457 I would not be surprised if that bar in the front with the birds mouth is so that the owner can pick it up and move it with other equipment that does not have a hitch and it gives them an easy area to grab.

[@jimsvideos7201]

I'm glad you have film of what you started with, just in case.

[@dirtfarmer7472]

Yes it’s called CYA

[@rtubed2471]

Get ya some swag to sell. I’d buy an IC Weld t-shirt to support. Thanks for sharing what you do. I finally went and got off my lazy and bought an oxy torch setup because of your videos. You inspire. Thanks!

[@DavidSellars-b8l]

My first impression was to walk off and leave the liability to someone else. But, as always, you pulled off in style. Still, a new hitch on that trailer was like putting lipstick on a pig.

[@theicebolt4361]

that comment made my day - welcome to monday !

[@kevinmccarthy9780]

I kept thinking just leave that mess and go across the street to Whataburger😉 Good work though.

[@bluecollar58]

@@kevinmccarthy9780, no Whataburgers here , I miss Whataburger.

[@lupuszzz]

In a workshop where welders wield their might, Came a call to Isaac, a welding delight. A rented trailer in a dire connection, The coupling broke, a welder's reflection. Isaac arrived with his helmet agleam, To fix the coupling, a metallurgic dream. He grinned, "Fear not, my dear friend, We'll weld this tale to a proper end!" Sparks flew like fireworks, a welding display, Isaac worked wonders in his own unique way. To the renter, he said with a laugh, "No more worries, just a smooth towing path. Your trailer's ready, now good as new, Thanks to Isaac, the welding virtuoso, too!" With a nod and a spark, he saved the day, The trailer now fixed, ready to roll and sway!

[@9Antonian]

The Way of the Welder!

[@manga12]

lol its all in a days work though for him

[@tacoma50]

I saw whataburger in the background across the street…… time for a reward for a job well done!

[@rtundlt1]

Another wonderful video Isaac. With the liability involved in fixing that trailer that looks barely road worthy and is clearly overloaded most of its life I'm amazed you took on the job at all. You,sir, clearly know your craft and understand your capability. An inspiration to anyone with a solid work ethic. I would venture a guess that with all that hammer swinging you wished your son was with you on that job😁

[@samuelscragg7052]

Your work was amazing about the whole job. The removal of the old hitch was a good teaching tool for those of us who haven’t done that kind of work.

[@tommy2camaro]

You are an incredibly skilled welder and deserve recognition from Texas, much like artists and poets.

[@johnscheffler1514]

You certainly have a gift. Good job.

[@hmrody]

I know it was a crappy job, but I would rather you do it right than someone else tacking it on. If it did come apart, people could get hurt. I am glad you did it.

[@wildrider55]

Best to watch what ur doing sir Isaac learnin a lot from out here in the Philippines countryside Thanks for sharing

[@NathanCEnyart]

I don't think there is anyway I would have trusted that hitch before you repaired it. I wouldn't have pulled that trailer. I really like your information on the welding and steps in your videos

[@FirstLast-jl6fr]

There's a saying we have in the UK... You can't polish a turd LOL. That bodged owner added hitch looks too small for that trailer weight so they added that solid bar to reinforce the neck after hacking it onto the existing frame with a V cut to make space for that lever arm. That needle scaler is an unsung hero tool :o) very useful for weld stress relief as well as cleanup. Your removal of that pin was a master class in how to remove broken studs\pins. I've learned a lot watching your videos. Taught myself TIG 10 years ago as a hobby and have made my own garage metal benches, shelf racking, brackets etc most of which will outlive me compared to my ex-job designing IT systems which end up obsolete within 10 years at the most.

[@ICWeld]

what part of the UK are you at?

[@FirstLast-jl6fr]

@@ICWeld I now live up north on Teesside (North East England) where they used to make raw steel that built the world. Lots of steel artwork sculptures on walking trails and such. The area is now becoming home to green industries such as wind turbine manufacturing and just recently announced plans for small nuclear reactors (SMRs).

[@j.c.smithprojects]

wow.....that was a very interesting set up. i guess they figured more is better. really enjoy your videos isaac.

[@d.jensen5153]

This video really hit the spot on a cold winter's night in the frigid North. Austin is looking mighty nice this time of the year! Makes up for the miserable summer you had. Many thanks for letting us come along!!

[@rickmartinson5252]

You need to cross the street and treat yourself to a Dairy Queen Blizzard after repairing that train wreck of a hitch !!! Great videos !!! Keep up the good work. I have learned a lot from your techniques !!!

[@chuckyc6912]

Nothing is too straightforward on that job. Great video

[@Rogster559]

Isaac I wouldn’t ever use a hitch like that on a trailer of that size and weight there isn’t enough coupling surface, so you’d be relying on your break away chains too much , the only thing I liked was your preparation and magnificent welding you are a true master of your trade best wishes from Tasmania Australia 🇦🇺

[@USSBB62]

"Kind of a mess". is a perfect description. Say no more.

[@johnmolnar2957]

looks like a heavy trailer for hauling road signs. your job looks great !

[@falcon8553]

Impressive work.

[@detroitdieselpower1]

I think 60% of the time that hitch will work every time…lol keep up the good work Isaac!

[@mikespain8655]

Way better and stronger than before.

[@brucelewis8064]

Love Watching The Old Wizard

[@2tana22]

Your right (what a mess) great save Issac, once the mess was cut out it certainly became easier to see the real situation, nice work!!

[@deltan9ne306]

Better to phone DOT and get it removed from the road. The shit people think is road worthy. Great video as always Sir.

[@davidribeca1745]

If the new coupler is 2 5/16 ball it's rated for 12,500 lbs. If the new coupler is a 2 " ball it's rated for 7,000lbs. The size of the I beam on that trailer is huge. I can't tell if the trailer is a tandem dual axle and if it is the trailer is probably rated for 24,000lbs. The front of that trailer probably had a vertical steel plate with drilled holes to accept a pintel ring or a bolt on coupler rated for the trailer. capability. DOT would have a field day with that mess!

[@samuel_towle]

I think the term "10 foot pole" would apply here as far a future liability goes. Seems like a massive kludge. From the size of the trailer frame, I would say it originally had a pintle hitch. Why wouldn't they just weld a plate on the bottom of the frame and bolt the hitch to the plate? I would assume they have had issues with the old hitch bending which is why they braced it with a solid rod on top.

[@servicesmecaniquev.laverdu1726]

I think the most impressive thing is your patience 😂 well done mate it couldn’t be done better

[@SJ8311]

I truly appreciate your motivation for accepting the job and making the best possible out of it, but man, I hope you have some good protection against any litigant trying to bounce liability back at you...

[@danslawncare8594]

Good job. It looks good to me.

[@sloppystooly5439]

❤ cause this channel never misses for knowledge.

[@terrylewis1363]

Isaac, I'm impressed. You did really good and fine. Jobs like that are never fun. They never turn out the way you would want it done.

[@haroldtunich8809]

It was ugly, now it is pretty. love your videos, former tool welder.

[@walnutkraken9430]

That was painful, great vid as always though. I’m sure it’s a lot better off now than before.

[@zwildcatt]

Nice work, but maybe using a "Channel Mount with 5-Position Fasteners Heavy Duty Cast Coupler" would be a better option and that way it would be welded to the upper, middle and lower part of the I-Beam. Then could get rid of the horrible compound angle front and rod brace to the coupler. but what a mess to deal with.

[@jake-mv5oi]

Like others said, I'd prefer to weld on an adjustable channel style mount, but you did the best you could with what you had and it looks much better than before.

[@FishingWithHoang]

Whataburger after you're done... That looks like Williams Dr.

[@ICWeld]

Sure was! Thats exactly where I was.

[@Hugh1966]

A heatin and a beatin !

[@alanmitchell7322]

you done a very good job considering what it was like to start with. remember you cant make honey out of dog shit.

[@scottharmon1573]

Issac you are living proof that Superman did exist. You definitely were able to make chicken salad out of chicken 💩💩 on that one 😂😂

[@woody1320]

I knew from the beginning you couldn't let that go as it was, made a silk purse out of a sows ear. Now I want to eat at Whataburger!!!!

[@JohnDiaz-we8pn]

I'm actually getting ready to do this repair job on this trailer customer wants it reinforced

[@09FLTRMM77]

MM77 Approved 👍🏼👍🏼

[@batemanclan2]

Definitely not a approved hitch set up but your version looks way better than original.

[@nickhill3362]

Looks like I big trailer for a small hitch to me

[@stevebeavers3754]

Wonky setup.. You did fine considering..

[@MBwelding]

lol I’m never on the phone when you drop a video caught one quick this time

[@bigguns45acp]

The more I watch and see, the more I think this trailer probably started out life with a pintle ring on it for heavy hauling. Now it carries lighter highway signs so they converted it to a 2 5/8" ball hitch.

[@oldodger]

Nicer than original !

[@kentlange5338]

I agree, that's one ugly setup. You did a good job with what you were given. What I can't understand is why anyone sticks with those ridiculous ball type hitches on a trailer that would be much better served with a pintle type hitch. Way more user friendly, easier to install and maintain, and way safer as weight capacity is concerned. Ball hitches are for shitty boat trailers, and 4×8 utility trailers being pulled by a minivan.

[@LoBeau53]

Once you got into it and saw how it was actually installed, it wasn’t quite as scary as first impression would lead you to believe. Not great but at least you could still sleep at night knowing it was rolling down a road. That trailer frame likely weighed more than any load it ever carried, in this configuration.

[@scotthultin7769]

222 👍's up IC WELD thank you for sharing 😅

[@joehirschegger7723]

What are they hooking that trailor to, a Yugo? Sketchy doesn't even begin to describe that. I would not touch it if it were me.

[@deant876]

WOW that tongue has a lot going on.

[@timothy4037]

I may be wrong but those hitches look the same. The piece that broke off the original one is on. The same side as the new one

[@EastWest-rj5qm]

Great welding as usual but that trailer looks like its rated for 10 or 15 ton and the hitch for 2, probally why it broke in the first place

[@sal_e._mander5151]

Time for a Green Chili Double Cheese meal from Whataburger!

[@ChevyConQueso]

Some people need to learn to put the welder down, the meth pipe, or preferably both. (Not Isaac- the originator of this fine piece of engineering.) I'm just floored that with I beam that large, this is the solution they came up with. That pile needs to make one last trip across a scrap yard scale.

[@loft306]

Well, if that trailer ever passes the truck that was towing it, it won’t be because of the hitch weld.

[@danellis800]

Yeeee'ya...... lol.... but" like always " job will'done ... A'HO... well"up brother

[@clintbrainard-w2o]

i feel your pain

[@hubertrobinson8825]

Don't beat yourself too much it's a lot better than it was before I feel the same way about my welding but ain't nothing perfect

[@dc-4ever201]

That's an awfully thin bit of steel to be using as a trailer hitch for such a big trailer, I'd expect that to start failing where that ring joins the plate, it just looks the wrong size, but hey the customer supplies it, then that's what they get.

[@landonsmith1621]

Looks like it was a pintle hitch trailer that they cut the front off of and put that cobbled up mess on instead

[@SuperB776]

@landonsmith1621..yeah I think you are correct...looks like a mess for sure...b

[@markfryer9880]

I agree landon and the chopping around of the trailer hitch makes me suspicious. I have had a trailer try to throw me off the road when I miss loaded it and I have also had another trailer without brakes and to heavy a load try and push me into an occupied roundabout! Moral of the story, you don't take risks with trailers, their brakes or how they are loaded! You are dealing with the Laws of Physics and they are not negotiable! Mark from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

[@marklowe330]

​@markfryer9880 I would bet that trailer has no working brakes.i wouldn't touch that unless I was putting the proper hitch on it. A death trap waiting for a victim.

[@jaygraham5407]

@marklowe330 but they do have a break away switch installed. Of course the pull cord is evidently not attached to the tow vehicle properly. The pull cords NOT supposed to be attached to the safety chains

[@cameronnerdin4910]

@@marklowe330 yes and now all the liability is on Mister Issac. I hope he takes our advice and puts a Pintle Lunette on it.

[@MadMaxWelds]

People always tell me I’m dumb for messing with hitches. I always tell them I’d rather do them because I know my capabilities and my family drives on the same roads at these trailers. I’d rather me do them, and it done right, than some 18year old fresh out of high school. At the end of the day, I’ll go home knowing it was done right.

[@big_ute]

Same. But I deal with mining and constructiuon equipment and every job is different. Like last week I was doing a lip on a 988 rock bucket, and monday I finish the 785 haul truck bed.

[@dancearoundtheworld5360]

i seen homemade trailers and that was smaller being behind f150s but this is framer spec, for a city street its horrible for a trailer that size, this bologna was together not robot quality

[@hfraat25]

The hitch looks small compared to the mighty trailer. In the UK we have 50mm ball type but not quite like this one.

[@rbhe357]

I was asked to help put a drop hitch together. I declined but later found out he had a friend do the work with his cheap Amazon welder.

[@MadMaxWelds]

@@rbhe357 that’s exactly why I accept doing the work! I’d hate for my family to be on the road with work like that!

[@collisionspecialists1602]

You did a great job cleaning up a mess I’ve been welding for 45 years I’m never surprised anymore at some of the things people cobble together and take it up and down the highway if we only knew the dangers that were on the road we would never leave home I’m glad you were able to clean it up

[@ICWeld]

Totally agree. Ive seen some interesting things myself.

[@johnscott2849]

Hey let's keep welding crap on it to make stronger. Those type of latches are really good for their rated towing, The way that ones on their tells me they are a wee bit over what it's rated for. That trailer looks like it had a ring hitch on it.

[@davedavedave52]

yep , needs a ring hitch with a much higher wt rating

[@legionofanon]

Ok I'm not the only one that thought it should have a lunette ring on it. They sell multipurpose hitches that can tow either a 2 5/16 ball or a pintle setup. Customer should go that way. Plus I've seen this style of hitch bust open when backed at a tight angle, would not have one on any of my trailers

[@ChrisHarding-lk3jj]

That trailer definitely came with a pintle ring installed on it. I am willing to bet it had a piece of 1/2" x 6" wide plate with multiple holes welded vertically on the end of the tongue. I worked on a very similar trailer and the V at the end of the tongue was so you could access the nuts that attach the pintle ring.

[@markfryer9880]

Definitely with you guys on the Pintle and ring fitting. The part supplied to Isaac doesn't seem to be rated enough for that trailer, given the size of the drawbar members. They appear to be sized for a large commercial trailer towed by a dump truck and carrying a medium excavator and a bobcat. They definitely require pintle and ring sets and decent quality thick chains. Plus breakaway brake system. But that's only from what I see on the roads around Melbourne and what would I know? 😅 Mark from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

[@oldfarmer4700]

Agree with everyone too. The trailer looks like it’s made to haul a D8 but it’s modified in some way to haul windows or something like that. My experience with that type of hitch wasn’t good. Had a lots smaller trailer I hauled small load of hay and straw bales and busted it out the side backing it up to the barn. But there are lots pulling huge loads with half ton pickups and janky trailers all over this country and get away with it. I wouldn’t get out the driveway and DOT would be waiting on me to hit the road.

[@jakeswelding6560]

Never seen a cobbled up mess like that before

[@robertoobregon3750]

This type of trailer normally has a pintle hitch.

[@dancearoundtheworld5360]

it was downgraded lol

[@FishFind3000]

I’m sure they kept the same tow rating with the down graded hitch. 😅

[@ypaulbrown]

Issac, this is more the type of repairs I have been sent on.... nice to see the way you approached this,,,,, that feeling a big pit in your stomach when you see what you have been sent to repair was always the worst part of the job.... thanks for sharing, Paul

[@courier11sec]

This is one of those jobs where you feel like you should update your tetanus shot after. 😬 I can definitely relate to the unique feeling of working on someone else's sketchy junk.

[@ICWeld]

last shot was in '16. I remember well.

[@dirtfarmer7472]

I’d be afraid to touch that thing the liability of that repair would scare me away. You’re a braver man than me. Thank you Sir for this video.

[@roneckler9937]

There was a guy driving down the freeway the other day with a trailer similar to that one. The hitch was ok, but the welds broke on one of the axle spring brackets and the axle came out from under the trailer. It hit four cars before coming to a stop. Come to find out, it was repaired by the owner, and it was apparent he didn't know how to weld. Good thing we have people like you making sure these things are done right and safe for other drivers as well.

[@yowser8780]

Hideously light hitch for that big of a trailer. Wouldn't blame you if you had refused the job. Welding right next to the highway, a bit of a wonder that the cops didn't pull in and make you put up some welding screens/curtains. That would be a major arm-waving event in California, freeway evacuated, drivers hospitalized, air ambulance called in... etc etc.

[@johnmcclelland5265]

You did a fine job. However the original hitch and its replacement look inappropriate for the capacity of that trailer. They should’ve been a heavier hitch.

[@barefootski]

Those DOT sign trailers are dropped off at the construction site by the sign manufacturer. Then the contractors move them around from location to location as they install the signs. The contractors abuse them, move them about with any piece of equipment they have available, pull them through the mud, turn them over, totally wreck them. Most of them could never pass a DOT inspection, they get a pass. The lights are typically jacked up, no brakes, no nothing. You did good, they are lucky to find you to fix this. They dont care and obviously dont take care of their trailers. This one should have been out of service years ago and cut up for scrap.

[@BrooksMoses]

That explains a whole lot about how this mess came about. The sign company doesn't want to send a good trailer out with the signs because it will get wrecked, and then when something like this happens and the contractor has to fix it, they have no reason to pay for anything more than "put it back like it was" because it's not their trailer.

[@alastairgillis5717]

Regardless of the situation, that trailer should not be on a public hi-way. Scary!

[@TokyoCraftsman]

You certainly turned chicken $hit into Chicken salad on this one! In my youth I worked at a brake and muffler shop, the owner also built custom trailers for various government agencies, and we often were called on to fix bad trailers either from said agencies or the public. The goober welded snot rocket fixed that we saw were scary, it was really terrifying to think that these time bombs flying down the highway right beside you at 60mph 😱 Every time a disaster like that came into the shop the boss would bend over backwards to make it right even if he lost money on the job. He just could not live with himself to let a ticking time bomb like that back on the road. I'm glad you got it fixed up, but yeah, that was a mess. Cheers from Tokyo!

[@lloydprunier4415]

Award for puzzle solving, award for having patience excellence, and gouging and welding above and beyond. It's sketchy but you made it look way better and as strong as it can be with what there is to work with. The load on the trailer is nothing compared to what that poor trailer has seen at times!

[@LILBANKSN502]

😂😂😂 facts

[@ZEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOO00]

Looks like a lot of liability to fabricate that kinda mess.

[@IndependenceIron]

Looks like a horrible way to convert a pintle trailer to a ball hitch but great job on working with what they gave you. They make a ball hitch that will bolt onto the face plate of a pintle trailer. Call them flat mount ball hitches. I actually have that same hitch on a 12k equipment trailer. I like that style hitch, but actually considering cutting it off to put on a face plate that would accept pintle ring, or ball hitch.

[@rinardman]

"No, no, that's not factory." See, that's why Isaac is the professional! I never would have guessed that wasn't factory welding. 🤣

[@abitoffcenter383]

And to believe that someone somewhere was proud of that 😖 I'd at least trust it now. Solid work Isaac!!

[@mikep3509]

You are like a surgeon with that arc gouger. 👏👏👏 well done

[@sackvilleweldingservices]

"Sketchy". That is one way to describe it. Weird looking and oddball. A very tidy repair that Isaac. Looks like the sort of farm trailer repair I have been asked to repair in the past when a customer has bought a trailer straight from an auction sale!

[@Pyro4100]

I'm pretty sure that trailer either had a donut ring that was welded to the front of it or some type of c-channel as I usually see with bolt on attachments and they decided they didn't want that and rigged up what they got at Harbor Freight instead gotta love it

[@488ci]

People are pulling a heavy trailer that's most likely over loaded and are using the wrong hitch in the first place. Happens all of the time. Good job fixing it up 👍

[@Spitter-ud8jd]

That POS has a number 15 on it. I hope there ain't another 14 of those out on the road.🍻

[@ifyoutip]

Maybe 15 ton or 15k lb rated trailer but with a 7,500 lb rated coupler? Maybe that is a mobile home frame? Maybe just the bolt on tongue was number 15. I sure hope it's for off rode use only.

[@DieselFuelOnly]

Looks like a 15 ton tag trailer that would have originally had a lunette ring for a pintle hitch. From what I've seen usually the style coupler that's on there now is only rated for a max of 15k or so. But looking at how they're using the trailer now I really doubt it's loaded to the max. Maybe hauling glass, windows, doors or something? Should be fine.

[@TechOne7671]

Well done Isaac, you made a fine job of polishing that turd!!

[@peternicholsonu6090]

First time I've ever seen a silk purse made from a pigs ear! Congrats.

[@georgesimpson3113]

...just the wrong hitch from the get go... needs a pintle hitch IMHO. That "design" looks like some monstrosity I'd do on my own stuff 'just to get by'... LOL

[@eldonjenkins551]

This hitch looks more like a beginner's night mare than just a mess. Makes one ask why would anyone would do this? If your hauling that big of a load. Get a bigger trailer

[@anindividual3889]

I enjoy watching you work and you were a lot more patient with this one that I would have been. I would have wanted to refabricate the whole thing and in doing so I probably would have pissed the customer off and he would have gone elsewhere. Guess it's a good thing that I'm a farmer and don't weld professionally, just for myself. I've seen a lot of ways of mounting a hitch to the front of a trailer, but this one takes the cake for being the most amount of work as well as a shitty way of doing it at the same time.

[@fredk.2001]

Definately should have a MASSIVE lunet ring for a pintle setup, instead of a tiny ball hitch setup.

[@Tiger351]

That whole thing looked sketchy af, probably too light duty a hitch for a trailer that size as well. TBH that whole hitch style looks extremely prone to failure in comparison to the Ringfeder system we use in Australia.

[@crazyoilfieldmechanic3195]

I watch your channel to reinforce the fact that I at least come up to 85% or better of the work a professional like you would do on a job. I really dislike these kinds of jobs and have done too many of them but you gotta pay bills !!!! Looks like an old trailer house frame that the tongue has been severely overloaded on. Obviously should have a pintle hitch on it. Great job but on things like this in your business I would use some 6010 and write BUBBA'S WELDING on that frame lol. Encourages me that we do things similarly. Thanks for the tip about needle scaling instead of grinding 👍