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12-03-2012, 01:28 PM | #21 | |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing
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12-03-2012, 02:43 PM | #22 |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing
I had one set up like that years ago, and it pulled the bumper apart...the bumper brackets just pulled apart....and it was a wild ride getting off the road....I would never ever tow using a bumper clamped tow bar....never ever !
I now have a VW style under the axle type tow bar...with some wings welded on to take any side to side play away....I think they used to sell for about $25 years ago and every volkswagen parts house sold them....probably see lots of them at swap meets for cheap.... I only use a tow bar in a pinch, but would far prefer to use a trailer....they rent cheap usually about $30 a day or better yet I bought my own so I diden't have to worry about towing....I also bought proper tie downs for the trailer...it makes the job much easier and after alll these years of using it has paid for itself many times over. joel Chester |
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12-03-2012, 03:00 PM | #23 |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing - later flathead cars
Since I live in Colorado and we have been known to have a fire or two during summer, I put together this tow bar setup for my 53' Merc with the same tow bar from Harbor Freight, to allow the car to be towed short distances on a short notice. The mounts stay on the car peminately so all you have to do is fasten the tow bar with the two pins and hook it the trailer hitch (in my case on the back of the Grand Cherokee) and you are ready to go. Time about 15 minutes. Not noticeable when standing in front of the car
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12-03-2012, 05:22 PM | #24 | |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing
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Saw a HUGE motor home pull over when it's towed Toyota Truck began shimmying badly. He tied the Toyota's steering wheel TIGHTLY to the windwing post!!! Sure would have liked to see his first 90 degree turn!!!!!!!!! Bill W.
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12-03-2012, 09:27 PM | #25 | |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing
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Good lookin' simple, safe, tow bar. Love your "Black Phantom" Coupe! Hey! that's an Oklahoma license plate, my country! Pics of "MINERVA," had to sell her, (Sigh!) for care home $$$$ for Pat. Bill W.
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12-04-2012, 01:09 PM | #26 |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing
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Joel, I'll be sure those brackets are not mounted only to the bumper bars. Denis, I really like the idea of towing the model A in when I'm getting my truck serviced. That makes the routine service call sound more motivating. |
12-04-2012, 05:14 PM | #27 | |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing
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It clamps onto the axle and then the back end clamps onto the steering drag line. Works like a hay rack wagon tongue for steering. It is small enough to fit under my Tudor back seat along with a good log chain and is my towing insurance policy to get pulled off the road to a service spot... Model A Tow Bar 1.jpg Model A Tow Bar 2.jpg Model A Tow Bar 3.jpg |
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12-27-2013, 02:34 PM | #28 |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing
I'm resurrecting this post because it talks about VW tow bars and Harbor Freight universal tow bars. I need the specifics. I have a Ford F150 pickup and a 1930 coupe. I want to carry a tow bar in the pickup should I get stuck. Not going any long distance, just home to the garage. Are there any posts, Model A News or Model A Restorer layouts which detail what to do for this purpose?
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12-27-2013, 03:10 PM | #29 |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing
I remember seeing a plan for one in a "Restorer" magazine. Hooked to the outside bumper bracket bolts.
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12-27-2013, 08:13 PM | #30 |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing
The best would be the ones that used to be manufactured for making hay wagons from a car chassis. A forged or cast part clamped to the front axle. A tongue extended from the hitch point , pivoted at the axle, and clamped with a pivot point on the tie rod. Just like a hay wagon today.
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12-27-2013, 08:40 PM | #31 |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing
Years ago, I flat towed a 1956 Corvette from NJ to NH and back behind a 1961 Chevy convertible a number of times to the track. Only problem I ever had was when one of the front tires in on the Corvette blew out. It was an interesting and wild ride getting it slowed down. I had a wire feeding the tail and stop lights and a reflective sign I put on the back saying "Car in Tow". After the tire incident, the next and all further trips were on a double axle trailer behind a full size van.
Tow brackets were welded on to the front of the chassis on the Corvette.
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12-27-2013, 09:02 PM | #32 |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing
I tow my willys jeep with one of those like denis4x4 has in that picture and the cast c channels twisted to the point of danger.
I replaced them with 2"square tube but I still don't trust the ball connector,I've seen them damaged . Always use a chain and take it slow. |
12-27-2013, 11:14 PM | #33 | |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing
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If I were you I would get the Harbor freight unit ($80.00) and fit it to the car with the bumper removed as to prevent the clamps from breaking. Mount the tow bar to the bumper mounts. I removed the pitman arm and hung it by a piece of wire to take strain off the steering box.
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12-28-2013, 11:07 AM | #34 | |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing
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12-28-2013, 07:55 PM | #35 |
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Re: Tow bar for light towing
I bought the Harbor Freight unit and it has served well pulling the car back and forth on a couple short runs.
I remove the bumper clamps, turn the backing plates to the front, and mount the adaptors with the bumper in place. I also disconnect the pitman arm. Everything needs to be tightened down securely, otherwise you'll risk bending the bumper brackets that connect the bumper to the frame. |
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