Model A Tow Hitch Construction and Ideas?

[spdway1]

I am looking for pictures and ideas for a sturdy tow hitch for a Model A without a rear bumper, such as a pickup or a station wagon. (commercial)

(I know back in 2013 the was a thread on this, but I am hoping to get more ideas and pictures)

Thank you.

 

[SeaSlugs]

depends on what you want to tow: a class 3 equivelent hit would be way more overkill than the model A could handle.

if your planning like a little motorcycle trailer or somehting then pretty much anything you make out of 1/4" steel would be just fine

 

[Joe K]

I have not gone there yet, but I have had the idea of adding a hitch to my 29 CC pickup truck.

A thought came to me that one might attach to the wooden "stringers" under the bed. They're pretty exposed with good access for drilling, with the only possible downside in that they are too high.

Still, a structure might be made from Home Depot angle with four attachments and diagonal braces to bring the trailer tongue/ball down to a more reasonable (and matching modern trailer) height.

Joe K

 

[Joe K]

Here is one over at HAMB which (apparently) replaces the lower retainers for the rear spring. Nice simple layout. One would have to be comfortable with bending or welding square tubing.

You might lose a little free motion of the rear axle.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/trailer-hitch-for-a-model-a.715858/

 

[spdway1]

I found this one...

 

[1931 flamingo]

I don't know Don. Are not the wooden "stringers" that the bed attaches to only mounted with 4 bolts??
Paul in CT
What are you going to tow??
Paul

 

[Big hammer]

I would think rear bumper brackets for a car bolted to your frame could be a good start.
Square tubing bolted to the arms could be good for light towing.

 

[Joe K]

I would think rear bumper brackets for a car bolted to your frame could be a good start.
Square tubing bolted to the arms could be good for light towing.

Heh. One person over at the HAMB discussion (see link above) commented on using standard rear bumper brackets on his pickup - and mounting a FRONT bumper spanning the two.

In the center of this he placed an angle (in lieu of the center medallion?) and a ball attached to the two bars.

Sounds only a little flimsy to me. Square tube would be more comforting.

Joe K

 

[CarlG]

I bought this little jewel from Wagner Products in St. Louis. It bolts on in place of the bumper spreader bar. Takes about 15 minutes to install. These are his pictures, I couldn't find mine as installed on my pickup. The one in the picture is installed on a roadster. Was an article about it in John LaVoy's magazine earlier last year, probably 2014 issue 2 (if my memory isn't completely gone!)

 

[amishman]

I built one just like the one Carl has posted,I hadn't even seen this picture, just measured,cut out some 2 inch square tubing and welded it up, works great. I'd post a picture, but won't be back home until mid March.

 

[Synchro909]

I made one from a tow bar I bought from a wrecking yard and towed a heavy camper all the way around Australia late last year. My tow bar was in addition tot he spreader bar and worked fine.



That's an ant hill in the background. Just as well Model As don't have wooden wheels!

 

[pooch]

Fit a set of car bumpers and crossbar and use that as structure to bolt the towbar to.

As you can see, a 21 inch spare can tuck in there too if you do not have fender wells..

 

[newshirt]

Here's a narrow gauge rail torched down to form a hitch. Some farmer was evidently handy with heat. Probably used it to pull hay wagons before quads were common. The rail goes all the way up under the bed. Probably weighs a ton.

 

[Tom Bellfoy]

here are a few pics of my rear bumper and trailer hitch on my 31 pick-up. hope the pics show up. If you would like to see bigger pics email me at ogatrains@gmail.com
Tom

 

[Tom Bellfoy]

to add to my last email, like others suggested I used the rear bumper brackets as a start, then added a six inch section of cold rolled steel to lengthen the bracket to ensure that the bumpers sit far enough back to protect the rear
tail gate of the box and to clear the fenders. I also used 28/29 round spreader bar to reinforce the brackets from sideway movement. then I added a length of 2 inch square tubing placed behind the 28/29 bar for extra strength. You do not have to install the bumpers if you choose to do without.
In the pics you might be able to see the upright brace going to the bottom of the wood floor which is attached to the flooring. I then added a metal square tubing to attach my lights and licence bracket.
Tom

 

[racingrufus]

Carl, could you please furnish us with a contact number, part number and price. Thanks Dwayne

 

[Skeezixx]

This would require bumper brackets but it's a period accessory "drawbar." Originally it had a pin to hold a flat trailer tongue. The ball is a later addition.

Simple to reproduce.

 

[CarlG]

Carl, could you please furnish us with a contact number, part number and price. Thanks Dwayne

Wagner Products Co.
1520 Fenton Hills Rd
Fenton, MO 63026
314-330-3906
Tom Wagner

Quite a nice article in the Model A Times, Volume 10 Issue 2, Spring 2014 with pictures of the hitch installed on one of John LaVoy's Model A's.

Don't think there is a part #, and you would have to get current pricing from Tom Wagner.

 

[racingrufus]

Carl, thanks for the info. I will contact him this morning. Dwayne

 

[James Rogers]

I built this for mine.