Stepdown Trailer Hitch?

hudsonguy
hudsonguy Senior Contributor
edited July 2012 in HUDSON
As I prepare for next year's International Meet in San Mateo, (wish I could go to Gettysburg, but it's not in the cards) I'm considering installing a trailer hitch receiver on my '49 Super Six. Does anyone on this forum have a hitch on their Hudson, and could impart their knowledge to this most grateful recipient? I know I've seen lots of hitches at meets, and have read many towing stories in the WTN, so I know it can be done, but is slightly different for a Hudson because of the unibody framework. I've looked through all my Hudson photos, and can't find any details of these areas, so that's no help.

I'm only interested in a Class 2, which is big enough for what I'd be hauling (motorcycle on trailer), and would allow me to use the smaller 1-1/4" receiver size. Seems like it'd be easier to 'tuck it away' a little better being the small size.

Thanks for any and all help, it is greatly appreciated.

Doug

Comments

  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    edited July 2012
    I would think that for Class 2, you could go to any decent hitch installer, have them take a look at the structure back there and work up a good bolt-on arrangement. Of course that assumes good, solid metal on the car therre ... no structural rust issues.
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    edited July 2012
    I put one on my 49 a few years ago. I had thoughts of building a "period" travel trailer. Nixed that idea.. But the hitch has come in handy. Sometimes we trailer the car behind the motor home. If we get into a campground that doesn't have pull throughs, I have to disconnect and park the trailer somewhere else. Sometimes it gets kinda complicated.. Now I can unload the Hudson , hook up the trailer and maneuver it much easier than trying to do it with the motorhome. I also made a third brake light to plug into it. Put a chrome "H" on it too. Hope the attched pictures help.
    You will have to remove the flap that is attached in front of the bumper. You will notice that I have a hole for a large bolt in the center to attach through the trunk floor. There is a flat plate inside the trunk as extra support. I welded the ends of the hitch to the outside of the frame ends. If you don't trust your weld to the rear frame , you can drill the frame and put two bolts through each side. I used the holes to give me another weld to really stiffin it.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Nice piece of work, Dave.
  • Huddy42
    Huddy42 Senior Contributor
    Hey Dave, we call them tow bars here.

  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    And we call "tow bars" the thing that attachs the two cars.. Towing and being towed. Thank God we at least have the same basic language!
  • hudsonguy
    hudsonguy Senior Contributor
    Thanks for the help and the great pictures, Dave! That's exactly what I had in mind. I'm sure it will come in handy. I'm able to build my own too, so that's officially 'on the list' for next winter's projects now!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    My swaps book list trailer hitchs from other makes that fit:
    561-62 Buick exc. Special
    42-59 Chev.
    49-56 Chry.
    57-58 Chry . exc. sw
    49-59 Desoto exc. 57-59 sw
    49-59 Dodge exc. 57-59 sw
    62 Lancer
    51-59 Ford exc. T-bird
    61-62 T-bird
    Maybe this will help in finding something to fit ,
    Roger
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Funny story..
    Back in about 1972, I had a really nice light blue Hornet sedan. It came with a trailer hitch attached. I put a 1 7/8" ball on it, hooked up my small utility trailer and drove about 6 miles to a landscape retailer. Loaded up six railroad ties. 10"X10"x10 '. They were HEAVY! Hauled them home to use as a boarder along my driveway. While unloading I noticed some movement in the hitch. Upon inspection I found the hitch attached with two rusty 5/16" stove bolts! And they were loose! I guess it was just there for the "looks".
  • Huddy42
    Huddy42 Senior Contributor
    we are not allowed to tow cars like that here, has to be on a trailer, illegal to tow with a rope or anything like that at all.
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    We call it "flat towing:". One car towing another with a rigid tow bar, I know a used car dealer that towed TWO cars behind a pickup truck (ute) all the way from Melbourne Fl. to Atlanta Ga. about a 12 hour run . He said he ran 60-65 all night THREE cars.. one driver! That was back in early 80's. Stupid? ...Yes... Illegal? ...probably
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