Options for Fixing a Bent Trailer Hitch Receiver

[Sethmac]

Hi Folks,

I have a 2006 Ram 1500 that I bought used. I recently bought a small trailer for pulling a golf cart to our hunting property.

I noticed that the hitch is angled down a bit once the trailer was hooked up...never notice before, but I imagine the previous owner bent it towing something too big or try to pull someone out of a precarious situation.

What are my options for getting this fixed...I'd love to do it myself, but the truck is not lifted and not crazy about an after market replacement that puts the hitch below the factory hitch (and not sure it would fit right given the angle.

I would used it to tow my 5x10 trailer as well as for a hitch mounted skinning pole for cleaning deer and hogs.

[Lungbustr]

Install a new receiver hitch would ve the fastest easiest way. As long as your frame is fine.

How bad is it bent? Enough to matter? Maybe its a vehicle that had a bad rear end collision.

I have done some really stupid things involving receiver hitchs in my younger days and never bent one.

[Dale Moser]

Crawl under and make sure all the bolts are in it, could be some missing or sheared off causing that. If it’s bent, I doubt you’re going to straighten it, just replace it. You can likely get one at a junkyard cheap.


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[Sethmac]

Yeah, I thought it could have been rear ended too, but couldn't see any indication other than the bent hitch.

I'll take another look but couldn't see anything missing/sheared...just seems bent.

I actually didn't notice it until I put a hog on the receiver winch....you can really see it when that pole is attached.

Anyone replaced one before? Assuming I find one at a junk yard, will i just need to raise the bed?

[Dale Moser]

More likely the previous owner backed into something really hard. You don’t have to raise the bed to replace it you may have to remove the bumper but it’s just six or eight bolts. Very easy to do.


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[Dale Moser]

I just noticed you are in Keller, there is a place on 377 in Watauga that does truck accessories, they could do it for you or at least get you the parts. Also trails in truck accessories does that stuff all the time.


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[Sethmac]

Thanks Dale....happen to know the name?

[Dale Moser]

Looks like it has changed hands, it’s called “Cap-It, Haltom City.




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[Huntindad]

Like Dale said, they are easy to replace. 3 or 4 bolts and it drops down. I got one at a junkyard to put on my son's truck. Bolted right up. if you have any ramps, back it up on those.

[Sethmac]

Got it lifted but I’m afraid the tilt may come from the frame. The bottom is angled up but top part seems to angle down. I bought a salvage replacement but any thoughts before I go through the job of putting it back on?

[Huntindad]

where/how does he replacement receiver hitch bolt up to the frame?

I see the "C" ...is that the end of the frame?

[Sethmac]

Correct the oem hitch has a piece of round pipe that slides right into the "C" and while the flat piece sits on top of the C and is sandwiched between the bed (you do have to lift the bed to remove it)..

Attached an image..hopefully you are tracking with me.

I haven't put the new one on (as it was a pain to get the old one off and got dark) but I can't see obvious signs the old one is bent...

My fear is the slant down on the top of the C is causing the sag...thoughts?

If that is the case, I wondered if I could hammer it up and weld some flat stock to the bottom side in hopes it won't bend back down?

[Dale Moser]

That is a very odd configuration, I wouldn’t have expected them to design such a weak point there..


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[Mike D]

You just need to replace it with one of these bad boys.




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[Sethmac]

@dale...yeah, no kidding...i can fit up the new part, but I'm fairly confident its still going to be angled down