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flag pole for trailer hitch

Backroads2

Backroads2

Full Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2002
Messages
834
Location
Princeton Ontario Canada
In niagara I noticed many trucks with flag poles mounted to trailer hitch, I am going to make one I just have a question or two.
Did a member create these? (copyrighted)
Is there any fabrication specifications?
Do flags have standard hole settings?
Is there a topic here about this that I may have missed?
I need help!
 
I wasn't at Niagra, but have seen them. I'm making on today and will let you knwo if it worked. What I'm using is a hitch for my receiver with no ball. Then, I'll get 1" threaded pipe and use a bolt on top and bottom of the hitch to secure it. I'll paint it black and add some eye-bolts and I should be ready to go. I'll add eye-bolt holes for half-mast as well.

Let me know what you find out.
 
My goal is to make it out of 2inch square tubing, same as the reciever, leaving clearance for the tailgate, this way it should insert into the hitch the same as my trailer ball. I considered using a smaller guage steel for the vertical pole but the way I drive I will stick with the 2inch, this way I can keep the entire tube in one piece as well.
I am going to produce some for my local gang if i'm not stepping on any toes..
 
these were made and marketed by billy over at bumperflag.com but I understand he's since stopped making them. The design is pretty easy and there are several out there (1 flag, 3flags). If you need detailed measurements just let me know since I own one I can get you pic as well.
 
hey Sarav, I'll be in Richmond this weekend visiting my parents. I can bring it up if you'd like to check it out.
 
zukracer said:
hey Sarav, I'll be in Richmond this weekend visiting my parents. I can bring it up if you'd like to check it out.
Click to expand...

I'm heading up to the NOVA GTG tomorrow, but I'll be around on Sun. Where in Richmond are you going? I'm in the West End.
 
I'll be in the west end, grew up there :) Where in the west end are you?


Pyd, you have a IM, but for anyone else thats interested I have posted pics w/measurements on my webshots folder.
 
I don't have one, but I do have a couple of tips after watching the experiences one member had during a GTG (Both problems were the same day.)
  • Make sure the flag mounting bolts are tight! Or better yet, use locknuts with nylon inserts. I't a pain to have a bolt fall out while driving, and have the flag flapping around from one corner.
  • Don't get rear-ended, not even a gentle tap. There was a minor incident at a stop sign, and the gentle tap broke the weld at the bottom of the mast, and the pole was pushed into the tailgate. Only minor scratches this time, but...
-- SS
 
I have one(see sig pic.below) from bumperflag.com also. I understand he is not making them anymore, and the site is down now. The only recommendation I would have if making one is, put some sort of hinge on it, below tailgate level, so that you don't have to take the flag out of the receiver if lowering the tailgate. I saw a few people with these, at GTGs, take the out, when lowering the tailgate, lean them against the AVs, and have them slide down the AV to scratch them up. :(
 
OviedoAV said:
I have one(see sig pic.below) from bumperflag.com also. I understand he is not making them anymore, and the site is down now. The only recommendation I would have if making one is, put some sort of hinge on it, below tailgate level, so that you don't have to take the flag out of the receiver if lowering the tailgate. I saw a few people with these, at GTGs, take the out, when lowering the tailgate, lean them against the AVs, and have them slide down the AV to scratch them up. :(
Click to expand...

Great tip, I have already begun to get around that problem, just for a different reason. I could see that doing some serious damage on the way down..
 
ShapeShifter said:
[*]Don't get rear-ended, not even a gentle tap. There was a minor incident at a stop sign, and the gentle tap broke the weld at the bottom of the mast, and the pole was pushed into the tailgate. Only minor scratches this time, but...[/list]
-- SS
Click to expand...

I never factored this one in.. But, if the guy can't see a 3 by 5 flag your in trouble anyways.. Now, if it's the flag that causes him to misjudge distance than thats another story..
Double edged sword at it's best.. ;D

 
OviedoAV said:
I saw a few people with these, at GTGs, take the out, when lowering the tailgate, lean them against the AVs, and have them slide down the AV to scratch them up. :(
Click to expand...
Yep, that happened to the guy in the previous examples, but it was on the evening before the other two, so they didn't happen all in one day. :2:

Here it is just before it fell:


​
pydpiper said:
I never factored this one in.. But, if the guy can't see a 3 by 5 flag your in trouble anyways..
Click to expand...
In this case, it was at a stop sign. The lead truck started to pull out to turn at the stop sign, just as a motorcycle came down the road at a very high rate of speed, and the lead truck had to hit the brakes hard. Meanwhile, the truck in back saw the first one move, and started to move forward, but was looking to the side to see if the way was clear, and didn't realize until the last second that the first truck had stopped... until it was just a few inches too late. :eek:

After inspecting the mostly broken weld, it was decided to just pull the mast off the rest of the way until it could be welded properly back home. The stub end of that part that goes in the receiver can just be seen on the left, peeking out from behind the legs:


​
-- SS
 
Check this thread:

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?board=119;action=display;threadid=9959

 
ShapeShifter said:
OviedoAV said:
I saw a few people with these, at GTGs, take the out, when lowering the tailgate, lean them against the AVs, and have them slide down the AV to scratch them up. :(
Click to expand...
Yep, that happened to the guy in the previous examples, but it was on the evening before the other two, so they didn't happen all in one day. :2:

Here it is just before it fell:


​
pydpiper said:
I never factored this one in.. But, if the guy can't see a 3 by 5 flag your in trouble anyways..
Click to expand...
In this case, it was at a stop sign. The lead truck started to pull out to turn at the stop sign, just as a motorcycle came down the road at a very high rate of speed, and the lead truck had to hit the brakes hard. Meanwhile, the truck in back saw the first one move, and started to move forward, but was looking to the side to see if the way was clear, and didn't realize until the last second that the first truck had stopped... until it was just a few inches too late. :eek:

After inspecting the mostly broken weld, it was decided to just pull the mast off the rest of the way until it could be welded properly back home. The stub end of that part that goes in the receiver can just be seen on the left, peeking out from behind the legs:


​
-- SS
Click to expand...
After that little incident, the bumper flag went on a 12 state rehabilitation ride in Taneys big rig before it was returned to me, nicely repaired, fresh coat of black paint and new lock bolts. Thanks again Taney & melissa for the fix job (y)
 
zukracer said:
I'll be in the west end, grew up there :) Where in the west end are you?


Pyd, you have a IM, but for anyone else thats interested I have posted pics w/measurements on my webshots folder.
Click to expand...

West End Manor, near Haynes Jeep. Where did you go to school? I was Tucker 1990. I'll IM you my cell so if you want to give me a call on Sun., I'll be around.
 
Hey Sarav,

I was at Godwin til '91. I'll be in the west end all weekend and will give you a ring.

-Brian
 
Hey Sarav,

Sorry I didnt get a chance to call you this weekend. My parents had me working pretty much non-stop the entire time I was there, except for the 4hrs of sleep I got. I'll be back up that way soon, so we'll have to get together for lunch or something. Ever eat at Bills?

-Brian
 
zukracer said:
Hey Sarav,

Sorry I didnt get a chance to call you this weekend. My parents had me working pretty much non-stop the entire time I was there, except for the 4hrs of sleep I got. I'll be back up that way soon, so we'll have to get together for lunch or something. Ever eat at Bills?

-Brian
Click to expand...
Which Bill's? That's fine. I got a call at 12:21am on my phone from a number I didn't recognie. I found ti the next morning called back and asked for Brian. They thought I'd lost it. "Brian who?" I didn't know your last name to tell them. :E:

Just let me know when and we'll plan lunch and a beer.

 
West End? Godwin?

Sounds like some people living in Henrico County.

Almost sounds like my checkered past coming to haunt me :)


I did find this for a flagpole though
http://www.mytailgate.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=168

 
omniplex said:
West End? Godwin?

Sounds like some people living in Henrico County.

Almost sounds like my checkered past coming to haunt me :)
Click to expand...

Are you from Henrico as well?

 
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