How To Install a Trailer Hitch on a Heartland North Trail NT With Round Tube Frame

Updated 04/16/2019 | Published 04/14/2019

Question:

We have a 2015 Heartland North Trail 23RBS and I am looking for a hitch that will fit properly. It has 4” tube frame but not finding a hitch I think will fit to pull our jet ski behind our trailer. What are your suggestions?

asked by: Robbie S

Helpful Expert Reply:

I do have an option for you but the round tube frame you have on your 2015 Heartland North Trail NT 23RBS is going to create some issues in regards to the installation of a trailer hitch. The best option for you would be to obtain the Draw-Tite Ultra Frame Service Body Trailer Hitch Cross Tube part # 41991 and then have a local metal fabricator make a set of brackets to attach this to the round tube frame.

If you are handy with a welder and there is some sort of perpendicular crosstube at the end of the frame then I would use the above cross tube along with the 16" Weld-On Bracket Kit part # 4916. In order to make the brackets work you will need to make a horizontal cut just below the bottom set of bolt holes to obtain a solid rectangular pattern. Once this is done you can then make a circular cut into each side plate that matches that of your round tube frame. The side plates can then be fit over the round tube frame and fully welded on each each side. In order to retain a suitable weight capacity I would also recommend welding gussets on each side between the side plates and round tube frame.

Unfortunately, I am not aware of a bolt-on trailer hitch for your Heartland North Trail NT with a round tube frame.

expert reply by: Conner L