[MWJohnson]

Great find Hog. I am ordering my tomorrow. I do much woodworking and this will help with lumber and 4x8 sheets of 1/4".

 

[GJRUGBY]

Sorry to be a kill-joy, but Farm & Fleet also sells them (I just saw it there last week while shopping for supplies). I would assume if you have no Farm & Fleet, try going to TSC (Tractor Supply Co.) or the like.

I don't know how much they are selling for, but it is the one with the curve in the bar as well as the 2 upper arms that extend up OR out. I do not know if it had the flag or not...I'll have to get back to the store to check it out.

Cheers,
George

 

[GJRUGBY]

I was just at my local Farm & Fleet store today, and I saw the exact hitch-hand thing you guys are talking about, with the upright arms and red flag and everything. Their price is unbelievable! $119.95

It is made BY "Lund" and also says "Deflecta-Shield."

I assume Lund is the actual maker, and Deflecta-shield is the name under which it is sold.

At any rate, that is a damn good price!

Cheers,
George

 

[meanmachine19]

For those that will be using this while driving, I just want to 'caution' you that some states do have restrictions on what the maximum load is for cargo extending past the rear and/or sides of the vehicle.

For example, in AZ :

"The load on a vehicle operated alone or the load on the rear vehicle of a combination of vehicles shall not extend more than six feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle."

"The load on a vehicle operated alone or the load on the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles shall not extend more than three feet beyond the foremost part of the vehicle"

"A passenger type vehicle shall not be operated on a highway with a load carried on the vehicle if the load extends beyond the line of the fenders on the left side of the vehicle or extends more than six inches beyond the line of the fenders on the right side of the vehicle."

Since the Hitch Hand already extends 57", you may be limited to what extends past the hand portion (if you were in AZ). Is the length adjustable??

Just a heads up for those looking to buy. Of course, every state is different
so you may want to check your local ordinances

 

[Sparks]

Good point meanmachine19. I also think that common sense is required with the use of this thing. I am not sure that the red flag is enough warning for inattentive drivers so that is why I use the light kit as shown in post #12 whenever I use mine. If I do get hit, I don't want the other driver to have any reason to say that they didn't see it. I have been through our local tractor supply and I didn't see them on display but they could have them available by special order. I really don't know either way. I have used it quite a few times since I got it and it works great. I like it.

 

[meanmachine19]

I know you can adjust the width, but what about the length? Is it fixed at 57"?

 

[Sparks]

Yes it is a fixed length. The 'boom' is a heavy one piece square tube.

 

[GJRUGBY]

Not to be a "tight-wad", but this thing would not be that difficult to make. I am sure the square bar that fits the hitch would be the only real expensive part (unless you had tons of it laying around). I think just bolting some heavy-duty pipe together would do the trick. I have lots of round bar, but no square stuff.

Who knows, if I ever need this thing for something, I might just look into it. But for now, I have my trailer, and that suits me just fine.

Cheers,
George

 

[Hawk]

but BE CAREFUL anyone else who buys one of these, be sure to look at the picture so you get the one you want. I wanted the other one but this is so close I'll keep it. I cant believe how dumb I was.

I wouldn't say that you were dumb. Easy mistake. If you went to Ultra-Hogs post http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1202

and click on his link for the "Hitch-Hand", you'll be directed to the competitors "Extend-A-Truck". Don't know what's going on there....

 

[kzeyus]

Will Hitch hand stow under rear seat or in trunk? Probably not, but would sure be handy if could store on board somewhere.

 

[Sparks]

I wouldn't say that you were dumb. Easy mistake. If you went to Ultra-Hogs post http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1202

and click on his link for the "Hitch-Hand", you'll be directed to the competitors "Extend-A-Truck". Don't know what's going on there....

Thanks for pointing that out. It appears that Accessconnect has changed manufacturers and models for the "Hitch-Hand" as shown in my original post. The original link takes you to their current version, but NOT the actual "Hitch-Hand" as pictured in post #1. Thanks to your heads up, I edited my original post and added the following link to the "Hitch-Hand" manufacturers site where there is a dealer link that you can use to find a dealer near you. http://www.lundinternational.com/lund_int_truck_product_detail_objectname_Hitch_Hand___truck.aspx .

And, kzeyus, no it is too long to fit under the seat, at least I think it is, but it will fit in the bed. The main bar is heavy and probably would be pretty tough on the interior surfaces. The vertical flat pieces for the "goal post" are kind of sharp for the interior plastics too. I don't carry mine every day, just when I need it. I still like it and still use it. I do recommend getting the magnetic lights.

 

[IceBerg]

Great find U-H. I will definately have to put this on my shopping list. I could have used it last week when I brought home a 12' counter top.

 

[Steve3589]

I bought the cheap version!! Harbor Freight had it for $19.99 plus $7 for shipping on Friday, looks like it is now $39.99. Still not a bad deal!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=39168

 

[steveberger]

I bought the cheap version!! Harbor Freight had it for $19.99 plus $7 for shipping on Friday, looks like it is now $39.99. Still not a bad deal!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=39168

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=39168[/quote]Please Please post pictures when it arrives. I like this one better.

 

[toolz_not_toyz]

For anyone that's looking for the real Hitch Hand, you can get it from Summit Racing:

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=DEA-9900&N=305241+115&autoview=sku


Price is $109.95 and they throw in some ratchet straps too.

 

[rtsdave]

I just got the Darby Extend-a-truck yesterday, but I am not sure I like how unstable it is. I haven't loaded anything onto it or tied it down securely, but right of the box it is pretty sloppy. The hitch hand is much heavier and may be sturdier, but this was available locally and quick for $99, so I thought I would try it.

The Darby gets pretty good reviews from paddlers at paddling.net or similar, so maybe I will try shimming it real good.

 

[Spritegeezer]

Please"]http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=39168

[/url] Please post pictures when it arrives. I like this one better.[/quote]

I've had one of these for several months. My main beef is that an eight foot board is just short of the support member. Ten foots work really well. For plywood or drywall take some ten footers for support. The construction is stout and it installs in seconds. A definite "nice to have" item and at $39 it's a lot easier to have.

 

[rtsdave]

If anyone lives in Tampa / St Pete, I just found a very similar product at Bill Jackson's for $49.99. I am returning the $99 Darby and getting this cheaper one instead. I mistakenly thought the darby was made in U.S.A., but it is not.

Dave

 

[rtsdave]

It turns out my $49.99 model is just a re-sale of the $39.99 Harbor Freight model. Strange, though, the only one I could find on Harbor Freight's web site was a short version more suited to just supporting a load right at the tailgate, not a 50" extension. I went to the Harbor Freight store this am, and there it is, exactly like the one I have seen elsewhere for $129, straight from China, except $90 less.

 

[moneyman]

WOW! great stuff. An adjustable leg on the end would give more support.

Thanks...