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View Full Version : Trailer Hitch GIANT Problem...

RMS11
08-02-2009, 21:34
I know this sounds stupid but hear goes....
A member of our team accidentally cut up our trailer hitch spacer and the rules say we MUST use the one provided in the KoP. So now we have to decide what to do... Is there any way to buy one, or any other options for our team? Is there anyway FIRST would possibly let us fabricate one? Thanks for the help, as you can tell we really need it!
MikeDubreuil
08-02-2009, 21:38
I'm afraid you will not be able to compete this year :(

I wouldn't worry too much. Someone will post what size and hardness steel stock you need and you can cut a new one.
EricH
08-02-2009, 21:43
I know this sounds stupid but hear goes....
A member of our team accidentally cut up our trailer hitch spacer and the rules say we MUST use the one provided in the KoP. So now we have to decide what to do... Is there any way to buy one, or any other options for our team? Is there anyway FIRST would possibly let us fabricate one? Thanks for the help, as you can tell we really need it!If I were you, I would contact FIRST ASAP to find out what to do. I would guess that they will tell you what metal you will need to make another one identical to the KOP one. At any rate, they will be able to help you.
IndySam
08-02-2009, 21:53
I'm sure you won't be the only team to cut up or loose this piece. Why don't you do a service to the FIRST community and ask the question in the official Q&A so others can benefit from the answer.
Rick Wagner
08-02-2009, 21:54
The trailer hitch spacer provided in the kit is a piece of one by one 1/16 wall mild steel square tubing seven inches long. I wouldn't be surprised if you cut a new one from similar material that you would pass inspection without any questions asked. This is not official, but my opinion.
Andy L
08-02-2009, 21:55
I posted this exact question last week. Checking right now if there's an answer

No answer yet, hopefully soon
dani190
08-02-2009, 22:00
The trailer hitch spacer provided in the kit is a piece of one by one 1/16 wall mild steel square tubing seven inches long. I wouldn't be surprised if you cut a new one from similar material that you would pass inspection without any questions asked. This is not official, but my opinion.

yea agreed, they arent going to go analyze the construction of the metal to see if its exactly the same...

As long as you are right on the money w the measurements n such you can do it i think.

But again in my own opinion, nothing official...
RMS11
09-02-2009, 07:41
Thanks for the help! For now we will cut our own and contact first in the meantime to find out other steps to take.
EricH
09-02-2009, 20:35
The official answer: http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=11714

Also known as, make it the same as the one in the KOP and you'll be fine.
RMS11
09-02-2009, 21:42
The official answer: http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=11714

Also known as, make it the same as the one in the KOP and you'll be fine.

Thanks a million!!!
dani190
09-02-2009, 21:43
umm, sorry for hijacking this thread, but one quick question. The position of the screws on the spacer and frame material does not matter, does it?
CraigHickman
09-02-2009, 21:47
Wait, the hitch was supplied in the kit?

I KNEW I was missing something when I came into the lab and the kit was spread all over...
dani190
09-02-2009, 21:48
Wait, the hitch was supplied in the kit?

I KNEW I was missing something when I came into the lab and the kit was spread all over...

the spacer was, 7inch long 1inch diam steel... Sort of dark ish color...
haxor5354
09-02-2009, 21:56
is that the hollow bar of metal? o_O
for our team we didn't know what was it for and we just used it as a whacking tool
dani190
09-02-2009, 21:57
yea my bad its hollow also, and yes thats the one... rofl nice usage :P
haxor5354
09-02-2009, 22:08
yea my bad its hollow also, and yes thats the one... rofl nice usage :P

it didn't have any holes pre-drilled, and for that reason we didn't know what it's for and we use it as a hammer whenever we can't find it oO

and our team call it the smacking bar
dani190
09-02-2009, 22:40
well retrieve ur "smacking bar" asap lol
and may i suggest writing on it "NOT A SMACKING BAR"
LOL
EricH
09-02-2009, 23:02
well retrieve ur "smacking bar" asap lol
and may i suggest writing on it "NOT A SMACKING BAR"
LOLAnd write, on all four sides, in caps: "DO NOT CUT!"

The other part of the hitch is also included in the KOP. You need a 7" length of C-base rail.

Also, for dani190: I don't see any rules that govern where the holes are drilled. If there aren't any in the drawings, then I would simply suggest using the ones in the C-base. Also, make sure that you can easily get to the other end for removal...
haxor5354
09-02-2009, 23:15
can anyone upload a picture of their trailer hitch? cuz i have no idea how to make it, and our team just can't find the trailer pin.
EricH
09-02-2009, 23:20
can anyone upload a picture of their trailer hitch? cuz i have no idea how to make it, and our team just can't find the trailer pin.
Guess it's that time...

The Game Manual, Section 8, can be found at http://usfirst.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=452. Field drawings are listed under Section 6, and you will need drawing GE-09040. The rule on the trailer hitch is <R18>. According to <R18-C>, the pin is McMaster-Carr part # 98416A009.
haxor5354
09-02-2009, 23:54
does the competition provide the trailer and trailer pin?
EricH
09-02-2009, 23:56
does the competition provide the trailer and trailer pin?
Again, see <R08-C>. Also see Section 6.

Yes.
R.C.
10-02-2009, 00:05
Loving the spoiler man!
haxor5354
10-02-2009, 00:10
yay, so we're not screw for not having the trailer pin oO
MrForbes
10-02-2009, 00:16
we put the "real" one on last year's robot to tow the trailer around while testing our shooter...and made a fake hitch spacer from 1" square alum tubing to put on this year's robot to tow the weighted half trailer we made.

So confusing...anyways, here's the fake one, with an aluminum spacer tube instead of the steel tube. since, I can't find a pic of our old robot with the real one!
Team 135
10-02-2009, 10:39
If worst comes to worst ask for one when you get to the first competition. They have a lot of replacement part from the kit, I am sure that they will have one available.
EricH
10-02-2009, 11:15
If worst comes to worst ask for one when you get to the first competition. They have a lot of replacement part from the kit, I am sure that they will have one available.
I'm pretty sure they won't, actually. While the Spare Parts booth does have a lot of stuff from the KOP, it's probably a good 90% or more motors and control system. No frame stuff, very little pneumatics, very little mechanical stuff.

At least, that's what I remember from 2006, when I worked one. The current list hasn't been released yet.

The GDC has made it clear: if you for whatever reason don't have the one in the KOP, get a 1"x1"x1/16" wall steel tube, and cut it into a 7" length, and that will be your spacer bar. (Then bring the rest of the tube to your regional for the 3-4 teams that forget.)
robonerd13
15-02-2009, 20:02
We (the rest of my team not me) lost our trailer hitch and I looked on the FIRST Q and A forums earlier and it said you were allowed to fabricate your own if something happened to it...hope this helps...straight from GDC!!!
:)