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1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

trailer hitches

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Old Apr 30, 2009 | 08:24 PM
  #1  
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trailer hitches

I tried Bob's trick of using Google advanced search but I did not find any threads about trailer hitches. I remember as a child in the early '60's that when my family went on a vacation, my Dad would rent a trailer hitch and tent trailer. The rental trailer hitches would chain on to the bumper of the car.

Of course the trailers were not heavy. I suppose that that type of trailer hitch is banned by law nowadays (land of the free?, yeah right.)

I am starting to think of offering to tow floats in local parades. What are stockers doing for trailer hitches?

Also, my wife has a 1962 aluminum 16 foot speed boat that would be sweet to take with my Merc over to a local cruising gathering on a Friday night.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2009 | 09:04 PM
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I've said this several times on various threads. My '49 used a Draw-tite Hitch that I believe was from a Chev Blazer. It was an exact match and bolted in. I think all these hitch folks need to know is the inside to inside width. It fit perfectly under the stock bumper like it was designed for it.

You need to know the the tongue weight (and obviously) the tow capacity of whichever set up you decide on. All of this stuff is well documented. Hidden Hitch, Draw-tite and many other reputable companies.

E
 
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Old Apr 30, 2009 | 09:41 PM
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Ernie. I am interested in the fit of your trailer hitch I checked your gallery but did not find a picture of the hitch on the truck. Could you post a picture?
 
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Old Apr 30, 2009 | 11:50 PM
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I built a heavy rear bumper on my F-2 that's more than adequate to pull a float, and I've used it to pull my 12' aluminum boat but anything bigger or needing to be pulled a longer distance I don't worry about because my old truck would be too slow to get anywhere within a decent time.

If you've got the pulling, and stopping, power I would certainly go with a frame mounted hitch. Search AXracer's posts, he's offered a lot of advice on hitchers, there are other but I can't think of them right now.
 
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Old May 1, 2009 | 02:43 PM
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Jim,

I have a heavy duty rear bumper for a 49 F3 with a built in hitch you can have. The only problem is that it is in Colorado.

Danny
 
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Old May 1, 2009 | 03:05 PM
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I ended up buying a frame mounted hitch (may have be drawtite) on a close out sale a number of years back that I mounted on my 54 F250. I had to drill two holes and the rest matched. I would measure frame width and then go to a place that sells the hitches such as tractor supply and see if there is one that is the right width. That is what I did and it has worked great.
 
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Old May 1, 2009 | 03:18 PM
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I have several pix in my gallery on my hitch install including the model # (class III), take a look.
The rear frame width is the same on the F1s and F100s so it should fit.
 
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Old May 1, 2009 | 08:40 PM
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Originally Posted by 49willard
Ernie. I am interested in the fit of your trailer hitch I checked your gallery but did not find a picture of the hitch on the truck. Could you post a picture?
Bill - That '49 was the two-tone brown one in my gallery and I don't have any pics of the hitch.

I went to this Hitch place in San Diego with the full expectation that they would need to build me something custom.

This guy whips out his tape measure and says a mid-80s Blazer Hitch would work. I needed a type 3 heavy-duty set up.

They ran and got one and within 15 minutes it was bolted in. It was perfect. That's all I can tell you.

My current '49 will need the same treatment.

Sorry I can't give you more than that.

E-Dawg-a-roo
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 06:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Danny in CO
Jim,

I have a heavy duty rear bumper for a 49 F3 with a built in hitch you can have. The only problem is that it is in Colorado.

Danny
Thanks Danny, I will check with the shipping department at work and see what it would cost. I'll PM you when I find out.
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 07:13 AM
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Ok Guys

next question..

will it mount up with a mustang tank mounted in the aft end ??? I figured I'd have to fab upsomething custom...but if I can find a bolt in.....sweet !

pictures please

john

 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by jniolon
Ok Guys

next question..

will it mount up with a mustang tank mounted in the aft end ??? I figured I'd have to fab upsomething custom...but if I can find a bolt in.....sweet !

pictures please

john

Drawtite # 40050

Note that the cross bar is at the very end of the frame and low so it should clear your tank.
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 09:51 AM
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thanks for the picture AX but I still don't know about the fit



I've got a tail end full of tank !!! And it looks like then tank frame and the hitch would have to share some bolts ????? if it's mounted to the bottom of the rail...

What I'd been thinking was a flat plate bolted to the rail inside face then fabbing the crossbar and hitch tube to that.



or maybe bolted to the outside frame rail face...depends on room...but I'd hope the one you show might work out.

I don't plan on pulling a camper or a boat.... just a cute little coke trailer like this


course mine will be red like a coke box should be... already got the box... it's on the todo list

later
john
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 01:34 PM
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Question

How about the F-250's then? Has anyone mounted a Reese or Drawtite Model to a 53-55 F-250? If so what model was it, how did it fit, and pictures please?
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 04:45 PM
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I did and it fit very well. I don't have the truck here at the house but will in a few days. I can post a pic then. I think the hitch was for a dodge pu. I've had it on the truck for 7 or 8 years, but the truck is at the paint shop right now.
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 07:54 PM
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BobJ49F2, Was this what you mean by a trailer hitch that can pull anything.

Jim G, A mustang tank should fit with this set up.



Still, I wonder why when I had this, nobody would tailgate me. Stayed two car lenths back. Now after I removed it, they're up on my bumper.

Dale
Ford52F2
 
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