The ends ARE cast/machined when cast bends it cracks, pressing the ears back in shape will cause more stress cracks, then welding good root passes inside at the radius and out side in the center of the bend will it self could cause some stress cracks unless the cast part is preheated and a very slow cool down.
You guys that say go ahead and use it just make sure you use safety chains have never had a safety chain event, let me tell you if you ever have one, you will never make that statement again, it is a VERY puckering event till everything comes to a stop, the towed load wants to pull you where it wants you to go, ect. The heavier the towed load the higher the pucker factor. Ask Mr. WM about the time he lost a tow bar pin for pucker factor info.
The ONLY time that section of tow bar should be used, is in the event there is nothing else and even then remember discretion is better then valor. It is not "is it going to break" but "what IF it breaks"., it is just not worth the risk to others, to you, or possible damage to the vehicles.
