Men of Bending Steel!

After we got the steel pieces tacked together - we clamped them into place so we could bend them to get the hitch on.  With lots and lots of gas from the torch, chains hooked to 2 trucks, steamy heat of a summer day, and the muscle of men from 3 different generations - we were able to get the steel bent and the hitch clamped into place.  Welding tomorrow!!!  Thank you Rob, Dobby, and Grampa John!

New tongue pieces balanced into place.

Clamping the tongue pieces and their braces.  Nuts and bolts could not be handed over fast enough to Dobby - Grampa John and I were just trying to keep up!  Dobby spends A LOT of time thinking about things - so when its time to actually do it - it gets done FAST!  Helpers have to be ready and its good to be able to anticipate!  Grampa John and I have been well trained for years.

Here comes the heat.  Dobby, Grampa John, and Rob.

Heating up the steel - Dobby's Dad supervises.

Rob was pushing the whole trailer - needed to find a way to stabilize it against Rob's power.

Hooked the truck up to the steel with a chain to provide counter pressure to Rob's sheer brute force.

Toyota was able to do the job.

Bend is looking good.

Now for the next one.  Rob's GMC truck was hooked up to that side.

Both sides bent and the hitch fits over the steel!  Lucky Luna has a new, strong tongue!