Trailer hitch

[rer_239]

Does any of the supplier s sell a trailer hitch?
Thanks
Dick

[1930-Pickup]

By posting this question, I'm assuming you have already checked with the suppliers and have not found what you're looking for.

Could you be more specific about what you're looking for?
Are you looking for a hitch that attaches to your A to tow a trailer?
Or something to tow/pull your A with?

[Dave Mellor NJ]

I have a hitch that goes on the rear bumper bolts. I would sell it for $150. If interested I will post a picture

[shew01]

https://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_m...1928-1931.html

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[shew01]

I can’t get the link to paste correctly on this site. Try macsautoparts.com


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[shew01]

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[CarlG]

I have one of those pictured above in the Mac’s catalog. They’re built by Wagner Enterprises in St Louis. They work great. Installation takes 10 minutes.

[Hoogah]

The description for this item specifically states that it's not intended for trailer towing.

[rer_239]

Sent u a pm

[shew01]

Originally Posted by Hoogah

The description for this item specifically states that it's not intended for trailer towing.

Wow. I didn’t see that, which would make this device an obscenely priced flag holder. ;-)


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[1931 flamingo]

That's what the description in the ad states. I'd still pull a small trailer, like a Mullins with it.
Paul in CT

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

That's what the description in the ad states. I'd still pull a small trailer, like a Mullins with it.
Paul in CT

What sort of weight are you talking about here?

[jwilliams81]

Here is the MAC's link from above:
https://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_m...1928-1931.html

[Licensed to kill]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

That's what the description in the ad states. I'd still pull a small trailer, like a Mullins with it.
Paul in CT

I've been pondering putting a hitch on the back of my fordor just for pulling my 12' aluminum boat to the lake. Boat and trailer can;t weigh more than 500 pounds and the lake is about 7 miles a way. I'm guessing that the lights on the trailer would still work on 6V just be not very bright.

[Jim Brierley]

I've pulled my Mullins trailer quite a few miles, towed great. I pulled an empty tandem axle trailer about 10 miles, would not like to pull it any father, it made it seem like the trailer was in charge, pushing the tudor instead of the tudor pulling the trailer.

[David R.]

In today’s litigious society where a large number of the population use small percentages of their grey matter, a disclaimer like this would be necessary. To quote a famous movie line, “a mans got to know his limitations “. You likely know what your model A and your driving ability can handle. I would imagine the brakes to be the weak link in this scenario. I remember my uncle moving to Florida years ago with an old chevy wagon loaded to the hilt and towing a trailer. He said the brakes wouldn’t completely stop the car going down a mountainside but he got it slowed down enough for my aunt to jump out and run alongside till she could find a rock to throw under a wheel.

[Swingle]

I have pulled a 4x6 utility loaded for camping with my Tudor, put in 6 volt bulbs for the trip. My parents pull their small pop-up camper with their Tudor, they run 12 volts.


Only problem I have ever had was blowing bulbs in the trailer, by not switching them back to 12 volts, after the trip.

[McMimmcs]

If the manufacturer distinctly says not to pull a trailer with his hitch, why would you risk everyones safety and defiantly do otherwise! Doesn't seem very logical or smart to me!

[CarlG]

The manufacturer puts a disclaimer on there to protect themselves, as was well stated by David R. in post #16 above.

I have one on my pickup and have pulled my original Mullins trailer without a problem. It was reviewed in the Model A Times by John Lavoy, and I have read reports of quite a few others that have used this hitch without a problem. It is stouter and much better engineered than most "home-made" hitches I have seen.

It also does the job of an excellent flag holder!

[McMimmcs]

The precaution was endorsed by a degreed engineer and should not be ignored!

[Licensed to kill]

Originally Posted by Hoogah

The description for this item specifically states that it's not intended for trailer towing.

No, it says not RECOMMENDED for towing a trailer. That is NOT the same as saying that you CAN'T pull a trailer with it. I suspect that this caveat is there due to the vast variations of trailer sizes/weight and, more importantly, the vast difference in quality of cars (especially brakes). Since the seller can't inspect the cars that these hitches are going on they have too put that caveat in there.

[Licensed to kill]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

The precaution was endorsed by a degreed engineer and should not be ignored!

Can you provide his/her name and contact info?. I would be interested in asking why the caveat.

[marc silva]

Seems like way overkill just to stick a flag on your car. The manufacturer and or vendor is obviously concerned about liability. I don’t think I would trust any hitch unless it was mounted to the cars frame. Definitely not to 90 year old spring steel bumper brackets.

[Licensed to kill]

Originally Posted by marc silva

Seems like way overkill just to stick a flag on your car. The manufacturer and or vendor is obviously concerned about liability. I don’t think I would trust any hitch unless it was mounted to the cars frame. Definitely not to 90 year old spring steel bumper brackets.

Especially when it seems a significant percentage have broken and been welded over the years. Would be OK with new bumper brackets and small trailers but the seller has not way to know what condition the brackets are on a customers car so the caveat seems reasonable to me.

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by Licensed to kill

Can you provide his/her name and contact info?. I would be interested in asking why the caveat.

Contact the manufacturer!

[katy]

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Deleted

[CarlG]

Actually it does.

It replaces the spreader bar that ties both sides of the bumper together.

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by katy

The hitch from Mac's doesn't bolt to the bumper brackets.

Here's a picture.

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by katy

The hitch from Mac's doesn't bolt to the bumper brackets.

I think you might be mistaken !

[1930-Pickup]

Frankly, I don't trust any new trailer hitch for vintage cars. The Quality is so poor with just about everything these days.

Your best bet is to take it to a shop that specializes in trailer hitches. They will fabricate one for just you and your car...no universal non-sense. But, yes, you will spend a bit of your lunch money there.

Just for kicks, here is the trailer hitch that is mounted on my 1930 pickup. The hitch main structure reaches all the way under the back of the bed and anchors at the rear spring-to-frame mounting point. I have heard of two other circa 1930 hitches like this, but I have never seen another one. I'll bet it towed a trailer many miles, and its still on there just fine.

[Hoogah]

Here's mine. It was there when I got the car. It's bolted up under the rear cross-member and also attached to the spreader bar via U-clamps.

I've used it on a number of occasions to tow a 6' x 4' wooden trailer full of garden waste to the dump, but no long journeys. I do have aspirations of towing our teardrop camper with the Model A some day. It weighs around 650kg (1430lb) fully loaded, has a towball weight of around 75kg (165lb) and has self-contained electric brakes. What do you engineers think?

[1931 flamingo]

Anybody here remember tha bumper hitches from the 50's, clamped to the rear bumper?? I would not hesitate to use the hitch from Mac's. Common sense= KISS.

Paul in CTJMO

[katy]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

I think you might be mistaken !

You're correct, I was wrong and humbly apologize.

[Vic in E-TN]

I put a hitch on my 30 Tudor. It was a brand name out of a box from Advance Auto. I will find the brand and part number later. It cost approximately $130 10 years ago. Two people were needed to assemble, hold up and fish the bolts through the parts. I would put another one on a car it I needed to.


Vic

[Dave Mellor NJ]

I have a trailer hitch made to go on the rear bumper bolts of a Model A. I couldn't get the picture to load here so I posted an ad on the AACA forum. Here's the link
https://forums.aaca.org/topic/349758...trailer-hitch/

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Dave Mellor NJ

I have a trailer hitch made to go on the rear bumper bolts of a Model A. I couldn't get the picture to load here so I posted an ad on the AACA forum. Here's the link
https://forums.aaca.org/topic/349758...trailer-hitch/

Here's your picture

[Vic in E-TN]

See Post #34. The trailer hitch on my 30 Tudor is a Reese Omni II, #88001. It is 3500 lb rated and has a 1 1/8 inch receiver. It bolts to the bumper brackets that are bolted to the frame and body.


Vic

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by Vic in E-TN

See Post #34. The trailer hitch on my 30 Tudor is a Reese Omni II, #88001. It is 3500 lb rated and has a 1 1/8 inch receiver. It bolts to the bumper brackets that are bolted to the frame and body.


Vic

The Reese Omni II 88001 is a multi fit hitch not designed specifically for a Model A and has been discontinued.

[Pete]

Not a stock A but sure is a nice tow car. It will go the speed limit all day.
3000 lb. receiver hitch.

[McMimmcs]

Gg

Originally Posted by Pete

Not a stock A but sure is a nice tow car. It will go the speed limit all day.
3000 lb. receiver hitch.

Great if you are into hot rods! To each his own.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

Gg

Great if you are into hot rods! To each his own.

Roger on that.....I did the stock A thing for 50 years so I put in my time...lol

[Russ B]

... but on the other hand, why buy a trailer hitch from any manufacturer that says don’t use his hitch to pull a trailer?

[Russ B]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

If the manufacturer distinctly says not to pull a trailer with his hitch, why would you risk everyones safety and defiantly do otherwise! Doesn't seem very logical or smart to me!

... but on the other hand, why buy a trailer hitch from any manufacturer that says don’t use his hitch to pull a trailer?

[trulyvintage]

The Model A Is Not A Tow Vehicle 🛑



Jim

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by trulyvintage

The Model A Is Not A Tow Vehicle 🛑



Jim

I couldn’t agree more!

[Licensed to kill]

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[IMG][/IMG]

[Hoogah]

I think the Keely trailer has been discussed here before. Great pair!!

That coupe is set up for heavy duty towing, isn't it?

[Licensed to kill]

Originally Posted by Hoogah

That coupe is set up for heavy duty towing, isn't it?

Yes. Military wheels on the back and some super skookum springs it would appear. I wonder why they put the axle so far back creating so much hitch weight??. Should pull nice and straight though.

[trulyvintage]

Originally Posted by Licensed to kill

[IMG][/IMG]

Nice Pose 👍

Other than that - to attempt to actually tow with that set up is:

Irresponsible
Negligent
Criminally Negligent

The vehicle is not rated to tow the trailer
The vehicle cannot safely stop 🛑 with the trailer
The operator could be found criminally negligent
if an accident occurred 🙄

No insurance company will knowingly issue a policy
or honor a claim for that set up


Jim

[Licensed to kill]

Originally Posted by trulyvintage

Nice Pose 👍

Other than that - to attempt to actually tow with that set up is:

Irresponsible
Negligent
Criminally Negligent

The vehicle is not rated to tow the trailer
The vehicle cannot safely stop 🛑 with the trailer
The operator could be found criminally negligent
if an accident occurred 🙄

No insurance company will knowingly issue a policy
or honor a claim for that set up


Jim

I am not intimately familiar with this particular rig, only know what I see in the picture. I hope that you are and that you are not presenting such a list of assumptions as fact. Tow trucks of that vintage towed vehicles with no additional brakes on the vehicle being towed. The trailer in the picture COULD have vacuum brakes which would make it better than zero additional brakes like a tow truck. It's unlikely IMO that this car has a stock rear with stock gears (3.78) as the clutch is simply not big enough to handle the load. That, coupled with the rear wheels and the stance suggests to me that the car may be outfitted with a heavy diff with VERY low gearing, much like an AA which would increase it's tow capability and reduce it's top speed making it MUCH safer than a "stock" coupe. Of course all of this is pure speculation as i am not familiar with the cars specs as it sits. My point is that, unless you KNOW this car and exactly how it is set up, what you posted is conjecture and should not be presented as fact.

[trulyvintage]

Originally Posted by Licensed to kill

I am not intimately familiar with this particular rig, only know what I see in the picture. I hope that you are and that you are not presenting such a list of assumptions as fact. Tow trucks of that vintage towed vehicles with no additional brakes on the vehicle being towed. The trailer in the picture COULD have vacuum brakes which would make it better than zero additional brakes like a tow truck. It's unlikely IMO that this car has a stock rear with stock gears (3.78) as the clutch is simply not big enough to handle the load. That, coupled with the rear wheels and the stance suggests to me that the car may be outfitted with a heavy diff with VERY low gearing, much like an AA which would increase it's tow capability and reduce it's top speed making it MUCH safer than a "stock" coupe. Of course all of this is pure speculation as i am not familiar with the cars specs as it sits. My point is that, unless you KNOW this car and exactly how it is set up, what you posted is conjecture and should not be presented as fact.

I don’t have to write an Essay 🙄

The trailer is equal or greater in weight - mass - length
to the tow vehicle 👀

There is no way that tow vehicle can safely stop
that trailer at operating speed under normal conditions
let alone in an emergency 🛑

Common Sense 👁


Jim

[trulyvintage]

I have been on the road hauling just about every day since 2006 😏

I See Stupid Every Day 👀

When you get on a public road and endanger
someone else’s Life .... 😡

That is where your “ freedom “ and “ creativity “ end 🛑

Taken about an hour ago in Wyoming:





Jim

[CHuDWah]

Given Mac's disclaimer, there's been quite a bit of debate in this thread over the sturdiness of their hitch. But if one actually reads the disclaimer, it says, "Since factory Model A's are very light, have a short wheelbase, and mechanical brakes, adding significant weight or trailer towing are not recommended." It does not address the suitability, or lack thereof, of the hitch itself for towing. Whatever, I know some intrepid souls tow with their A and get away with it. But I would not for exactly the reasons Mac states.

[warhorseracing]

When the Model A was produced there were very few paved roads in the U.S. Roads and bridges were not even dreamt of to carry the 80,000 Lb. loads permitted on today's roads. Even though they are slowly being replaced the bridges built prior to 1920 were never designed for that weight let alone imagined by the design engineers yet they were substantial enough to still be in use today. Was a Model A capable of towing? What has been done and what is ethical are two different apples or oranges.

[Licensed to kill]

Originally Posted by trulyvintage

I don’t have to write an Essay ��

The trailer is equal or greater in weight - mass - length
to the tow vehicle ��

That is the case in the vast majority of towing from commercial transport to RV's. NO I am not suggesting that the car/trailer in question is as suitable for towing as a Peterbilt, just pointing out that pulling a trailer that it longer and heavier that the tow vehicle is not uncommon. Also, in the case of the car/trailer in question, the rig will tow incredibly straight with all that hitch weight so the weight difference between the car and trailer is not a factor other than braking.

There is no way that tow vehicle can safely stop
that trailer at operating speed under normal conditions
let alone in an emergency ��

Common Sense ��


Jim

You could be right. However, you can't make that assumption and present it as fact unless you KNOW how it is actually set up. Do you KNOW that the trailer has no brakes?. Do you KNOW what the "operating speed under normal conditions" is?. If the car is geared so slow that top speed is 25MPH and the trailer has vacuum or electric brakes, then it could be quite safe. IF, OTOH, the car is going to be travelling 50MPH like a stock A coupe would (unlikely that it even could pulling that trailer) and only has the factory car brakes and no brakes on the trailer then, yes, I agree 100% with your supposition. My point is that there is no way to make that determination simply by looking at that picture. BTW, you are right. We see scary stuff on the highway every day. However, it is very rare, in my experience, that the scary stuff is as nice, neat and tidy as the keely rig in the picture. the scary stuff is usually cobbled together junk.

[Hoogah]

I don't need much of an excuse to re-examine these photos of the overloaded farm vehicles from the dustbowl migration (although I think the Hudson ones are recreated for the Grapes of Wrath movie). I wonder what sort of hitches they used for their trailers? Home-built is my guess.

[trulyvintage]

Sorry I don’t live in Canada

I Live In Reality



Jim