Trailer Hitch GIANT Problem...

[dani190]

Originally Posted by CraigHickman

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]

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]

yea my bad its hollow also, and yes thats the one... rofl nice usage

[haxor5354]

Originally Posted by dani190

yea my bad its hollow also, and yes thats the one... rofl nice usage

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]

well retrieve ur "smacking bar" asap lol
and may i suggest writing on it "NOT A SMACKING BAR"
LOL

[EricH]

Originally Posted by dani190

well retrieve ur "smacking bar" asap lol
and may i suggest writing on it "NOT A SMACKING BAR"
LOL

And 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]

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]

Originally Posted by haxor5354

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]

does the competition provide the trailer and trailer pin?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by haxor5354

does the competition provide the trailer and trailer pin?

Again, see <R08-C>. Also see Section 6.

Spoiler for the short answer:

Yes.

[R.C.]

Loving the spoiler man!

[haxor5354]

yay, so we're not screw for not having the trailer pin oO

[MrForbes]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Team 135

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.)