Trailer hitch / cross member design?
 

I've got a Mustang gas tank in my '57, which means I chopped a cross member to put it there.
I'd like to replace the cross member and I'd like to add a trailer hitch.
The back of the frame has 2x 7/16 holes and 2x 9/16 holes per side. I'm thinking to myself "two birds, one stone". I'd like to take 1/4" plate, drill it to match the holes in the frame, weld (pay to have welded, my 90a box can't be trusted here) a 4x4x1/4 box in between them & add a receiver with gussets. Bolt it in place and voila - receiver + cross member in one.
My question is does this sound safe / reasonable? The only issue I can come up with is butt welding the square tube to the plate. I don't know if that's kosher for trailering, or if I need to come up with a new design.

Re: Trailer hitch / cross member design?
 

There is another current TF hitch thread....

Re: Trailer hitch / cross member design?
 

My truck came with a fabricated hitch. I took it off because I don't have anything to pull. If you were closer, you could have it. (I'm in Indiana) I will take some pics for reference as soon as I can. It's hidden away in the attic now and it may take me a day to get to it.

Re: Trailer hitch / cross member design?
 

i dont know what you plan on towing but consider this, the factory tow rating on a s10 stamped thin sheet metal bumper is usually around 3000lbs. I would think anything you fab out of thicker steel that is directly tied to the frame will handle anything you'll want to tow.

Re: Trailer hitch / cross member design?
 

I like your idea myself. It shouldn't be that hard to find a used hitch that you cold modify to work the way you want and after tacking it together with your 90 amp haul the hitch/crossmember to someone who can weld it up and go back and bolt it in.