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Last week I bought a new old stock FRONT receiver hitch from a LOST member.
Obviously, unless we find a used one or get lucky like I did and find a new old stock one, you will not find one since new production appears to have ceased. Someone correct me here and I'll pursue this no further...
I am a Plant Manager in a fabrication and weld shop. IF there is enough interest, I would be willing to build some of these for LOST members.
I sketched and dimensioned the new old stock Draw-Tite FRONT receiver hitch and if we do build some units, they would be very much the same style of unit built from all 1/4" materials, CNC punched and jig welded by certified welders (we are a factory) and I could even get them powder coated.
I'd be willing to do this probably just this one time and I'm not looking to get rich what-so-ever. Before I'd know cost, I need to know HOW MANY and I would amoztize the cost of laobr and materials across the quantity.
I would like to have a minimum order of 10 and I'd only do this on a pre-paid order.
The Draw-Tite unit does have 5/8's" tow loops welded on each end. We'd offer the same thing.
the quote for the powder came back at $25.00 each. That's excellent.
This is not yet a quote; I'm going to get everyone a good deal here. You're getting my time involved for 0.
There is dimensioning. Programming. Jig building. Punching. Forming. Sawing. Material handling. Welding. Packaging. Handling. Ship to powder coat. Handling. Re-gackage and labeling for the ship to you. Some of this you're getting for 0 or for very minimal charges. I ran these through the quote process at the shop today. 10 units came in at $214.00 each. Read on, don't panic. That would be your price if you walked in off the street.
When the Draw-Tite factory built their units, there were mass-produced and materials were no doubt bought in mass bulk and amortized over many units.
I think the Draw-Tite units cost what new? $140.00 - $150.00 neighborhood? Then $30.00+ for ship each. What were guys paying shipped to their doors? $180.00? I do not know. But I bet that's at least close.
I'm trying to come in with 10 units somewhere around $125.00 each including the powder coat paint. If I can beat that down some, I will. If we make nutbars also for the inside of the frame (with the nuts welded on already for you), we'll be at the $125.00 for sure probably...
Let's keep the order interest open for a week or so. I'm doing this once so the more we get, the cheaper I can get the materials. I can try to get a batch ship price too.
So, where is everybody at here?
Post here if there is interest and I'll figure out a price at that point. -This is a feeler post.
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/...ic.php?t=25476
Landy