This does not look good....

[ZekeD]

Somehow the hitch looks less than stout.

What is the best way to put a receiver hitch on a 3A?

[garage gnome]

The stock hitch works fine. It is plenty strong. Remember, you can't haul too heavy or big of a trailer with a jeep. Stopping and going power is very limited!

[Jeff_M]

I agree with the Gnome.  The stock hitch is plenty strong enough for what you'll be able to pull behind your Jeep.

[athawk11]

I agree with Jeff and G-Gnome.  The Willys is so light and thus has a limited towing capacity, but the thing will climb anything you ask it to.  

GG...your homemade trailer and that Indian is probably close to the tow limit...What do you think?

Tim

[garage gnome]

Yes, that is a very safe amount to tow Tim. It might be able to tow more, but I feel safe with that.

This is the most I have ever towed with my completely stock '49, our 3500 lb firewood processor. The 9" brakes didn't like it, bit the drawbar took it just fine. The suspension didn't like it much either.... This was only a 1/10 of a mile to from our tree farm to our house. I will never do this again...

[johnrb3b]

That tow bar is stronger than it looks and is tied into the frame as well.
All the old CJs were rated to tow their own weight.
Yes, the brakes aren't really adequate but if you keep your speeds sensible (think 1950 roads and traffic) then you're good to go.

[Comanche_County]

I imagine the agri-jeeps with plow and disc implements would put quite a bit of stress on the hitch but were strong enough.  My 3A obviously got well used in the past and it shows warpage in the hitch and the support bars that connect to the frame.  

Normal towing shouldn't be a big deal,,,yanking stumps or jerking heavy loads certainly would.

I would be more worried about axle shaft breakage or shearing the splines when towing.  This warrants questions about proper techniques,,,towing 2wd vs 4wd? Speeds? On what surfaces?  I've got my owners manual somewhere around here, but I forgot what it says.

[Jesse]

I'm thinking about taking the drawbar and cutting the angle iron bar with the holes off and mounting a receiver hitch to the two dropdown tabs in the center. Then maybe reuse the two frame tie ins to connect the bottom of the receiver if that makes any sense. They could probably be bent to match up in the middle instead of the angle iron drawbar. Maybe weld some triangles at all of the joints to make it extra solid.

Maybe that gives you an idea?

-Jesse

[Carls_jeep]

The real question is, why would you want to put a receiver type hitch on the Jeep? The hitch that is on it will pull anything the Jeep was designed to pull. If you need a high hitch turn the plate up, low hitch turn the plate down and if you need one in the center cut a straight plate and mount the ball on it.

As the others have said the Jeep can't or shouldn't pull anything over 2000 lb and that at speeds under 30 mph with the stock brakes. In fact, I don't think it's safe to pull anything over 1000 lb and still under 30 mph. If you try to stop with a trailer going down hill you probably won't ever pull a trailer with the Jeep again.

The Jeep hitch was mostly for doing farm work and is the reason for all the holes in the angle iron to offset the implement.

Be very careful what you pull with these Jeeps and especially how heavy the load is.

[gmcjr]

I'll agree with the everyone else, the drawbar is more than strong enough for any trailer a willys can SAFELY pull, if the welds aint broken or anything like that.

That being said, a few years ago, for the sake of hitch interchangeability, I made receiver adaptor to bolt on to the draw bar, but then took one look at it and took it off. In my mind it was wayyyy to long, and would've put way too much downward leverage on the drawbar. The picture shows what I have now. However....... IF....... IF, I was going to build a receiver hitch, it would be built to mount where the pindle hook is, its a lot stronger. It might interfere with the tail gate, the pindle does, but I just take the tail gate off when I'm loading something, lay it to the side and put it back when done. � � Reckon its time for some desert tan touch up paint? �:'(

[ZekeD]

Thanks for all of the (correct) warnings about towing.   The real reason I want a receiver is that on the ranch we move a lot of machinery around.  trailers, mowers, bale elevators, sprayers etc.   Choose your hookup, Pintle, 2 5/16 , 2, even 1 darned 1 7/8.

A lot easier using a receiver.  And I doubt we ever get over 10 mph.......I still have all of me teeth.

Regards
ZekeD

[gmcjr]

I understand what you are trying to do, if you come up with good solution,  let us all know.
I was lucky enough to change all my trailers 2 in or a pindle ring.