Odd Tow Package
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 129
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From: Salem, OR
Odd Tow Package
On my inherited truck, I have a very odd tow package setup, or so I think. See the pictures in my gallery. The hitch itself is welded to the bottom of the rear bumper, with brackets welded back to the frame. That seems weird enough on it's own, but my trailer plug socket looks funky to me too. Also, my trailer brake controller mounted on my steering column looks like it taps into my actual brake lines and uses that pressure to apply the brake controller. Has anyone ever seen any of this setup before, and will I be okay using it, or should I start from scratch? I know my dad used this setup to haul a 20' Grady White a lot, but he knows nothing about cars, so he has no clue about any of the tow package setup. Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 909
Likes: 9
From: San Luis Obispo, CA
Dustin,
This is the way it used to be done. The local welding shop fabricated a custom hitch welded right onto the frame. Quality could vary, of course, but a good welder could put on a hitch that would hold anything you could put on it. Your hitch looks OK as well as I can tell from the pictures. (If there are cracks, then I would have a pro check it out.) It is designed to provide a low hitch point, so you could replace it if you wanted an high hitch receiver to use with a dropped ball mount.
The socket is also what used to be considered a high-quality unit, but you will probably be happier if you upgrade to something more common to your friends' trailers.
The brake controller is also solid, old technology. I'd keep using it so long as it works properly. Somewhere in the '60's, states started requiring automatic action of trailer brakes when the tow-vehicle's brakes were applied. These units were the answer. They have a tiny hydraulic cylinder that actuates the electric brake control. They usually had a **** to adjust the sensitivity.
This is the way it used to be done. The local welding shop fabricated a custom hitch welded right onto the frame. Quality could vary, of course, but a good welder could put on a hitch that would hold anything you could put on it. Your hitch looks OK as well as I can tell from the pictures. (If there are cracks, then I would have a pro check it out.) It is designed to provide a low hitch point, so you could replace it if you wanted an high hitch receiver to use with a dropped ball mount.
The socket is also what used to be considered a high-quality unit, but you will probably be happier if you upgrade to something more common to your friends' trailers.
The brake controller is also solid, old technology. I'd keep using it so long as it works properly. Somewhere in the '60's, states started requiring automatic action of trailer brakes when the tow-vehicle's brakes were applied. These units were the answer. They have a tiny hydraulic cylinder that actuates the electric brake control. They usually had a **** to adjust the sensitivity.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
Likes: 221
From: Huntington Indiana
I would agree to check this over very carefully before hitching up. If you don't feel comfortable with it. Replace it with a commercial hitch. This way they have the liability and not you if something happens and things go bad.
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