Pulling A Trailer

[Deleted User]

Hello

Has anyone pulled an Airstream or similar trailer with their stepdown 8? I know it's not a full frame but maybe someone has done it and can tell me how it went. I want to pull an antique one(1948-1962) 18-21' around 2500lb when I find one to car shows etc. Thanks

Unknown

Check with Park Waldrop. I know from previous communications, while in the military he towed a larger mobile home from place to place with his Hornet. I believe he used a hitch that included connection to both sides of the rear axle housing .

Fred

In 1980 I pulled a light Pop Up Camper from Cleveland Ohio to Knottsberry farm with the Hudson eight. By the time I got to Youngstown Ohio I had destryed the O.D., but proceeded onward for the full trip in third gear. (I was young and crazy). The kids enjoyed learning about America on the road. I would think the airstream would be a little heavy for the spasher engine.

Fred Lorenz

duncan

That is our dream also to buy and pull a vintage Airstream

trailer with our 54 Hornet Hollywood. duncan

Hudsy Wudsy

Fred wrote:

In 1980 I pulled a light Pop Up Camper from Cleveland Ohio to Knottsberry farm with the Hudson eight. By the time I got to Youngstown Ohio I had destryed the O.D., but proceeded onward for the full trip in third gear. (I was young and crazy). The kids enjoyed learning about America on the road. I would think the airstream would be a little heavy for the spasher engine.

Fred Lorenz

Fred, what specifically went bad in your overdrive? Is there a chance that you were using a hand switch to kick it down in place of the floor mounted (under gas pedal) kick-down switch?

Park_W

We did indeed pull a 36' mobile home with our Hornet convertible. As WW said, the hitch arrangement was a bolt-on rig that went down under the back end and attached directly to the axle housing, so no load on the chassis or springs. I expect a good hitch shop could make something like it with a sketch I could provide (unless someone can find that old WTN with the sketch and the article). With an Eight under the hood, I'd have a 4.10 rear end gear and OD, but keep it out of OD when pulling the trailer.

Fred

The bushings in the planetary gears went bad. To much load I assume.

Fred

rambos_ride

If I ever do get on the road much with one of my Hudsons :rolleyes: I'd like to find a vintage fiberglass travel trailer to restore - I think the weight would be more favorable for the Hudson - What would a 13' Airstream weigh?

hornet_54

Park W wrote:

I expect a good hitch shop could make something like it with a sketch I could provide (unless someone can find that old WTN with the sketch and the article).

A few WTN articles found in the WTN Index:



94-N/D 36-2 Trailer Hitches/Wiring/Filters Hudsonotes George Schmidt

03-N/D 45-2 Trailer Packages Alternative Hudson Charlie Nau

05-M/J 46-5 Trailer Towing

95-M/A 36-4 Trailers & hitches; also lighting & lubrication Hudsonotes George Schmidt

94-N/D 36-2 Trailers & hitches; also lighting & lubrication Hudsonotes George Schmidt



http://socalhet.org/wtn_index3/az-files/t.htm



Merry Christmas



Bob Ross

Hudsy Wudsy

I didn't know that the overdrives had that shortcoming. On the issue of aluminum vs fiberglass, I'd think you'd want to judge each case individually as fiberglass can be quite heavy.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the info,where can I find the past WTN articles with the information stated? have many of you seen vintage trailers for sale?

VicTor Z

I will be selling my vintage trailer soon, I have a '46 Kit Teradrop, with a 45 black license plate with a 46 tag. It is to small for me to carry my Widow Channeling supplies. I will be looking a larger trailer that I can carry my supplies.

[Deleted User]

Here is a picture of a vintage car pulling a vintage trailer,wish it was a Hudson

hornet_54

41truck wrote:

Thanks for the info,where can I find the past WTN articles with the information stated?

Some of the HudsonNotes are linked to the referenced Index. Other articles are available from the HET Club library or in back issues from L. E. Crowe.



Bob

[Deleted User]

I see Charlie Nau wrote one of the articles so it must be related to Hash's pulling trailers. I'll have to write him to see if he has the article saved to a text file.



Harry

Hudsonrules

:cool:Way back when I was quite young, my uncle had a '46 Hudson Super "8" tudor sedan. He worked for the goverment at the time and moved around a lot. He also had a family that went with him from place to place. He pulled a large {36-38 foot} Spartan house trailer through out the western states with that Hudson. That was before freeways, lots of two lane hiways back then. I remember it had a big hitch and some sort of dolly on the trailer tonquenthat I guess helped with the tonque weight. He traded the Hudson in in 1952 on a brand x. After that, he had the trailer moved by truck. In the six years of towing the Spartan with the Hudson, my uncle said the hudson went through three engines and he forgot how many clutches, along with a couple accidents when the trailer brakes gave out and the Hudson's brakes just could not hold the trailer back. That happened crossing the Rockie Mountains both times. However both my uncle and aunt praised the Hudson for its great handling and endurance. I recall a club member from Canada that attended several National meets, driving a '29 Hudson and towing a 21 foot travel trailer a number of years ago. I have towed a car trailer with a Hudson on it with one of my '49 Hudsons,of course the hitch left a lot to be desired. I would not do it again. Have a Very Merry Christmas. Arnie in Nevada

Unknown

41truck wrote:

Hello
Has anyone pulled an Airstream or similar trailer with their stepdown 8? I know it's not a full frame but maybe someone has done it and can tell me how it went. I want to pull an antique one(1948-1962) 18-21' around 2500lb when I find one to car shows etc. Thanks

Previously published WTN article on Hudson Trailer towing

http://www.socalhet.org/wtn_index3/199x/36_4s.pdf

Unknown

In todays traffic its difficult enough to stop our cars with stock brakes. I would not even consider pulling a trailer with them unless the trailer had good brakes and I would probably look at having disc brakes on the car as well. Especially if you pull in hilly or mountainous areas.