atwood Folding Hitch Ball - Manual (Page 2)

2
12. Bolt the folding hitch ball assembly to installation kit through the
truck bed using (4) four, SAE Grade 5, 5/8˝ carriage bolts, nuts and
lock washers (supplied with Atwood folding hitch ball). Shim (not
supplied) as necessary to accommodate corrugation in floor of
truck bed.
13. Check operation of ball and safety chain attachments. Make
adjustments to allow for free operation of parts. Tighten 5/8˝ car-
riage bolts to 150 (ft.lb) torque.
14. The tops of the steel angles must fit flush against the underside of
the truck bed. The frame mount brackets and/or spacers must fit
against the outside of the truck frame for proper installation.
15. Mark the center of the mounting holes being used with center
punch.
16. Check inside frame before drilling to be sure no lines or wiring will
be damaged by drill.
17. Drill (4) four holes on each side of vehicle using 7/16˝ drill bit.
18. Use spacers as needed FIG 7.
19. Tighten all 3/8˝ bolts to 33 (ft.lb) torque. Failure to tighten bolts as
described may result in fastener loss or failure.
20. Replace wheel well liners and heat shields to original locations in
reverse order if removed.
21. Proceed to INSTALLATION CHECK .
H-FRAME METHOD -
FIG
8
The H-Frame support structure consists of
2 - support structures 6˝ by width of truck frame x 1/2˝ thick 8-G
2 - support structures 6˝ x 8˝ x 1/2˝ thick 8-H
2 - stiffener angles 2˝ x 2˝ x 26˝ long x 1/4˝ thick 8-E
4 - frame brackets 2˝ wide x 3/8˝ thick 8-F
ƽ
CAUTION
VEHICLE DAMAGE
• For adequate transfer of forces produced during towing these
instructions MUST be followed.
WELDING INSTRUCTION
• M . I . G . OR STICK - 5/32˝ fillet weld minimum.
• M . I . G . WELDING - Use A.W.S. ER 70S-3 or 6 wire or equivalent with a
diameter of .035 - .045. The recommended shielding gas mixture is
75% - 95% Argon & 25% - 5% CO
2
.
• STICK WELDING - Use E6011 A.W.S. welding rod or equivalent with a
diameter are as follows: 1/8” electrode set power between 115-130
Amps DC or 5/32” electrode set power between 140-160 Amps DC.
The installer must make his own H-frame, stiffener angles, and frame
brackets. Use structural quality hot rolled or cold rolled steel bar. All
steel used must meet minimum ASTM A-36 specifications.
1. To form H-Frame support - Weld support structures FIG 10-G and
10-H together with 1/4˝ uninterrupted fillet square butt joint welds on
both sides of the plates
FIG 10-A.
2. Weld stiffener angles ( FIG 8-E) to bottom of H-Frame using 1/4˝ fillet
1˝ - 2˝ skip weld full length of each stiffener angle on both sides of leg
FIG 10-B. Stiffener angle may also be through bolted with 4-1/2˝
Grade 5 bolts. Tighten to 60 (ft.lb) torque.)
3. MOUNTING LOCATION AND TRUCK BED FLOOR CUT-OUT
Proper mounting location for folding hitch ball to distribute weight
properly between truck axles -
a. Center BALL between sides of truck bed floor, FIG 1-A
b. Locate BALL 2˝ to 6˝ in front of rear axle centerline FIG 1-A
4. Before cutting 12-7/8˝ x 8˝ hole in bed of vehicle be sure to recog-
nize the hole must be offset 2-1/8˝ towards the driver’s side for ball
to be centered in truck bed
FIG 2.
5. Make cutout on the floor of truck bed FIG 1 & 2.
6. Put Folding Hitch Ball in truck bed, align with cutout in floor of bed
FIG 8-A & 9.
7. Mark holes to be drilled on truck bed using holes in folding hitch
ball as a guide for locations. Drill 11/16˝ diameter holes.
8. Place H-Frame FIG 8-G/H under floor of truck bed and above frame
of truck. Align with cutout in floor of truck bed. Clamp in place
against bottom of bed.
9. Drill four holes in H-Frame using holes previously drilled in truck
bed for a guide.
10. Bolt the folding hitch ball assembly and H-Frame to the truck bed.
Use (4) four, SAE Grade 5, 5/8˝ carriage bolts FIG 8-D, nuts and
lock washers (supplied). Shim as necessary to accommodate cor-
rugation in floor of truck bed.
11. Tighten 5/8˝ nuts to 150 (ft.lb) torque.
12. The tops of the steel frame brackets must fit flush against the
underside of the truck bed. The inside of the steel frame brackets
must fit flush against the truck frame for proper installation.
ƽ
WARNING
VEHICLE DAMAGE
• Mounting brackets must be bolted to frame. Welding will
NOT pro-
vide the structural strength needed for towing and may void factory
warranty on vehicle.
13. Position the frame brackets along each side of the truck frame
providing clearance to any crossmember, fuel line, electrical or
brake system. Drill 17/32˝ (.531˝) diameter holes through truck bed
and H-frame.
14. Secure the frame brackets to the truck bed and H-Frame with SAE
Grade 5, 1/2˝ diameter bolts, nuts and lock washers (not supplied).
15. Drill two (2) 17/32˝ (.531˝) diameter holes through the lower leg of
the frame brackets and truck frame. Position the holes in vertical
center of the truck frame.
16. Secure frame brackets to the truck frame with 2 each SAE Grade 5,
1/2˝ dia. bolts, nuts and lock washers (not supplied).
17. Tighten all 1/2˝ bolts to 60 (ft.lb) torque.
18. Proceed to INSTALLATION CHECK .