A trailer hitch on a custom?!? Anybody running one?

OK I think it's cool to have a trailer hitch, really on any vehicle but I think it's even cooler on a custom because in my mind it implies the car is a real driver.

I've never really towed anything, so what I'm wondering if my '51 Ford is low-ish, like dropped 6" or so in the rear, would I need to maybe have the hitch come out from under the bumper then raised to a certain height? I'm not going to be the one putting this on, don't have a strong enough welder, I just want to get an idea of what to expect.

I'm looking to pull one of those small teardrop shaped trailers, and who knows what else I can come up with. I'm running a 350/350 ford 8" rear 3.0 ratio 27.1 " tall 15" wheels if that matters.

Anybody running a hitch, and got a pic?

Is this just a bad idea because I may not have as much suspension travel since my frame isn't c-notched in the rear?

Thanks all!

 

I too am considering running a teardrop behind my Tin Woody when I get it done. Haven't considered yet about the hitch. As I was reading your post it got me to wondering if a vintage bumper hitch would be more appropriate. Could be removed when ot in use. Those trailers wouldn't need much of a hitch as they are light, as you know.
Ken

 

I have seen guys hide them behind a license plate.

 

As to your height issue between the trailer and the rear of the vehicle...

You'd want to back your vehicle up to the trailer you want to tow, with the trailer tongue as level as you can get it. Check the difference in height between your truck's hitch and the trailer hitch... buy a drop hitch that makes up the difference. Install the drop hitch upside down and there ya go.

Before all the safety wankers ears pop up... a tear drop trailer doesn't weigh crap. Obviously if you're hauling a car or 40 round bails of hay... you don't want to run a drop hitch upside down.

Another alternative is to lower the trailer to match your vehicle. That would be the coolest... Just don't hang up the hitch when pulling it over uneven ground or up a steep driveway...

 

If I were doing it I'd use a tube type receiver coming from under the car. Then buy a dropped hitch of whatever length you need to get the height you want, turn it over and there you are.

 

Spot on.

 

I was thinking of splitting the rear bumper on my 37 sedan to raise the hitch height to come out in the middle of the bumper then using the cut out section as a plug when the ball isn't on. Sure would beat one of those boat propellers. I'm also going to do the teardrop camper deal.

 

You could figure something like this. This is how the Dodge Magnums hide their trailer hitch. Just have the receiver going vertical under the bumper, then weld up something similar.

 

51 Mercury heres one I did.

 

-scott noteboom

 

scott thats the coolest picture. what year camper is that?
ive been kicking the idea around on getting an old camper

 

I wish you were about 2000 miles closer!I run a welding shop that makes and instales custom hitches.I've done every thing from electric scooters [really]to dump trucks.This should be no trouble for a reputable shop.One of the 1 1/4 inch receivers would work good with what ever rise insert you need.

 

Hey Johnny1290

See attached drawings. I've had these for years, made a lot of hitches.

Take a regular class 2, more than strong enough for a small teardrop, but with the riser I'm going to describe you need the extra rigidity.

Have the hitch installed when after the coupler is inserted the end of the hitch will stick out from under your bumper just far enough to where the riser I'm describing clears the bumper.

Measure from the top of the hitch up to the level where you want the trailer coupler to be. Get a peice of 3" drill stem at salvage yard that long. (Drill stem is extra-heavy-wall well-drilling pipe.)

Where the ball bolts on, the big hole, notch one end of the drill stem to saddle the hitch, centered over the big hole. Weld it in place.

Cut a 3" circle shape from 5/16" plate and drill big hole in center. Weld the nut from the ball you will use to the circle shaped plate, (need that to screw the ball into when the thing is assembled) Ball will be tightened to riser with a LOCK WASHER , using a pipe wrench. Weld the circle with nut inside to to top of riser. Weld notched riser to end of hitch.

Why? Simply because I can make a better riser, cheaper, than if I buy one.

 

I have one on my 41 Hudson.

 

why?Just buy or make an insert with a jog in it!

 

The hitch rescever was behind my flip up[ya could make one a flip down]plate on my Full Custom Henry J back in early 60's,the hitch arm was bent to hight for ball,I had to tow a small trailer with my airbrush Tshrit stuff for the shows around Fla. and Ga. With trailer on,the car plate didn't need to show.

 

Could a receiver with removable hitch go ABOVE frame, in trunk?? It could then exit through typical shoebox license plate area. With limited travel, I would think solution would be auxiliary airbags or air shocks at rear to slightly raise and stiffen suspension. I think if trailer is lowered to match car, the whole rig will only be useable on brand new, perfectly level parking lots.

 

You bet your bottom i do!!! I also could not and would not have it any other way.I have a small receiver on the back of my model a.Till this day and after 22 yrs my wife still packs 10 days of shit to go on a 2 day road trip,so i now am able to drag a little aluminum lightweight trailer with my 1 shirt and 1 pair of jeans and the rest of her stuff.I cut the receiver frame out from under a Goe Tracker and it fit great between the frame

 

I do. My '29 sedan has a hitch made from a buggy axle. It was made by a blacksmith and is mounted between and to the rear bumper braces. The previous owner pulled a popup tent trailer many miles on his annual vacations.

 

And then every time you wanted in the trunk you could unhitch?

 

Here's my shoebox 'vert pulling the Crosley altered. I made a small tube (1.25") receiver to mount under the bumper - then use a 3" rise insert. I'm across the country from the car, or I'd send you detailed pictures. PM me in April if you want detailed pictures !!

 

I think this one could work if the receiver hole was in the space between the bumper and the bottom edge of the trunk. Put one of those spring loaded hinges on the plate and flip it up or down to reveal the receiver hole.

 

There are numorous ways to "make" a hitch. Here a couple shots of mine all built into the rear frame rails.

 

We had one hidden under my 53 Burb to pull our Shasta. Worked out well.

And the pics of them together, thats with the air ride all the way up..

It was slightly low.

 

Always have had one. I thought they were required. Had one on my 40 Ford Coupe, 40 Ford pickup and 38 Chevy Sedan. I pull a tear drop trailer and have pulled a Coke trailer and a tent trailer. I have a HF rack that I haul my Rupp Goat Hardly-A-Davidson around.

 

I built the frame on the '41 as such that a receiver could be put on, but I sold the truck before doing so.

My intention was to build something like this:

 

it's a 1954 Traveleze. We have a good time with it. Thanks,

-scott noteboom

 

www.classiccaravan.se

 

There's a guy in my area that has a 51 coupe that's set up for a goose neck trailer. im sure someone has a pic.

 

got a hitch on my 54F100 I'm building to tow our 16' Casita around the country in style, I guess that will make our 54 will be a trailer King.