65 Shortbed Trailer Hitch

[merlin65]

I was wondering about a trailer hitch for my 65 stepside short bed. I have contacted all the companies and they tell me no.... They all say they make them for the longbed but not the short. I know I can probably alter it somehow. Just wondering what you guys run if you run anything.... I really am only pulling my speed boat, not very heavy. I might just use the bumper. I lowered the rear a bunch so the hidden type hitch will probably drag anyway...

[jonzcustomshop]

try telling them you have a 55 stepside, they were all short boxes
the frame is probably close
I don't see what difference short or long would be on a 65, for a hitch...
put a reciever behind your license plate, and then use a fold down lp bracket, that way when it is not in use it is hidden.

[Captainfab]

There isn't any difference in frame width between a longbed and a shortbed. Most any hitch for a 34" wide frame will work...of course you'll probably have to drill some holes. The only issue I can see is if you had a spare tire or a gas tank back there.

[billydonn]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

...I don't see what difference short or long would be on a 65, for a hitch.... put a reciever behind your license plate, and then use a fold down lp bracket, that way when it is not in use it is hidden.

[kdrodworks316]

I am with Jon Z on the hidden hitch.

[TR65]

BillyDon,

I put a Valley hitch on mine. The receiver hangs below the bumper but all that you can see is the receiver cover. I had the same issue, it was supposed to be for a long bed. It went on fine. Maybe it is some kind of liability issue?

TR

[billydonn]

I THINK I remember seeing a hitch at Early Classic... just fyi.

[MikeN]

The short bed 64-66 does have a frame crossmember that is located differently from the long bed, hence the long bed hitch won't work without modification. I had a Drawtite installed on my 64 C10 short/fleet back in 1996...found the receipt in the glovebox just last week. The Drawtite for a long bed truck works on the short bed with very minor modification...a couple of new holes, and a small notch cut into the frame. No big deal unless you have a show truck or something. The spare tire mount still works fine also. I tow a 69 Chevelle on an 18' open trailer with my truck and the Drawtite hitch.

[billydonn]

Can you say which Drawtite hitch you used? There appear to be several listed at their website. Here's one set of Drawtite pdf instructions:

[MikeN]

I'll look at my truck when I go downstairs for lunch and see if the model number is still on the hitch.

[MikeN]

The Drawtite on my 64 C10 short/fleet is model number 75016. It was installed by a Drawtite dealer in 1996. The factory spare tire mount works fine with this hitch. It looks to me like they drilled one new hole in the frame on each side, and cut a one inch notch in the frame on each side for clearance. I routinely tow 5000 - 6000 pounds with weight-distribution bars.

[merlin65]

Thank everyone for all the responses... I am looking into all of them.

[LILRED66]

I have purchased and installed three from www.lmctruck.com with no fitment issues or modifications required.

[gulffishin]

I know I'm bringing this one back from the dead, but I figured that was better than starting another thread with the same title.

I was wondering if anyone with a receiver hitch also had a fuel cell under their bed. I have a 16 gallon fuel cell (25"x19"x11") under my bed and was wondering if a receiver hitch would even fit under there with a fuel cell. I have had vehicles with receiver hitches on them from the factory, but have never paid much attention to how they are installed (inside or outside frame rails).

[taclem]

My bro-in-law fabbed a receiver to fit my 66 short bed, truck has a custom tank and a partial rollpan. The hitch works great, hides the tank and was easy to build. As usual it is heaver than needed but will outlast the truck.

[markeb01]

Nice truck. The color, wheels/tires, and later bed all look great together.

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by gulffishin

I know I'm bringing this one back from the dead, but I figured that was better than starting another thread with the same title.

I was wondering if anyone with a receiver hitch also had a fuel cell under their bed. I have a 16 gallon fuel cell (25"x19"x11") under my bed and was wondering if a receiver hitch would even fit under there with a fuel cell. I have had vehicles with receiver hitches on them from the factory, but have never paid much attention to how they are installed (inside or outside frame rails).

The hitches I have dealt with hang off the bottom of the frame and wouldn't interfere with your tank; however they were made for specific applications.