Trailer hitch ideas, classic car

[drcoastline]

I would like to install a trailer hitch on my Edsel to tow a small boat. I don't want to drill into the bumper, and I doubt a prefab frame mount receiver exists, so I guess I need to fab something.

Has anyone ever done a project like this? If so any ideas or pointers? Sorry I don't have any pics of the frame at the moment.

[Nickshu]

Back in those days most of the factory accessory hitches were bolted to the bottom of the bumper. Maybe search the Edsel forums for an NOS hitch kit?

[Scott Douglas]

Should be pretty easy as there are probably frame rails going all the way to the back of the car.
Dad put a hitch on our '59 Pontiac wagon by using some 1/4" angle iron to tie into the frame up in front of the gas tank. Imagine an 'H' turned on it's side running front to rear with the legs of the 'H' tied into the frame with drop down angle iron pieces. The load transferring hitch was welded to the 'H' middle beam. He had a channel running across the back up inside the bumper that tied to the angles.
You could have lifted the car up with that hitch if you had to.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

Back in those days most of the factory accessory hitches were bolted to the bottom of the bumper. Maybe search the Edsel forums for an NOS hitch kit?

I have a few feelers on the Edsel forums, but this place just gets it done. There will be a solution here before any of the other forums even responds.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Should be pretty easy as there are probably frame rails going all the way to the back of the car.
Dad put a hitch on our '59 Pontiac wagon by using some 1/4" angle iron to tie into the frame up in front of the gas tank. Imagine an 'H' turned on it's side running front to rear with the legs of the 'H' tied into the frame with drop down angle iron pieces. The load transferring hitch was welded to the 'H' middle beam. He had a channel running across the back up inside the bumper that tied to the angles.
You could have lifted the car up with that hitch if you had to.

That's what I am talking about.

[URY914]

Try JC Whitney.

[herr_oberst]

The Edsel is body on frame. This is blacksmith level fabrication. You should be able to go to any U-haul and get a trailer-hitch-frame-mount welded or bolted on, or call around your town to places that sell camp trailers and see what they have to say.

Take pictures! I hope the boat matches the car!

Here's a fella on Jalopy Journal who's towing a little camp trailer behind his....

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1959-edsel-ranger-223-i6-auto-towing-capacity.1056300/page-2

[SCadaddle]

I vote for new door seals, a PTO and a prop.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by URY914

Try JC Whitney.

Hahaha I used to love flipping through that catalog.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

The Edsel is body on frame. This is blacksmith level fabrication. You should be able to go to any U-haul and get a trailer-hitch-frame-mount welded or bolted on, or call around your town to places that sell camp trailers and see what they have to say.

Take pictures! I hope the boat matches the car!

Here's a fella on Jalopy Journal who's towing a little camp trailer behind his....

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1959-edsel-ranger-223-i6-auto-towing-capacity.1056300/page-2

I'll check out U-Haul the bolt on version would be perfect. The boat will match the car. I'll get pics of the boat later today.

That Edsel camper is pretty cool. I would love to find an Airstream Bambi.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Back when a car could tow something! You should be able to find a local fabricator to weld something up. Find a shop that does custom work on hot rods.

[2.7RS]

Why don't you buy a replacement bumper from a junkyard. there must be one out there.

And go play with it.....

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by SCadaddle

I vote for new door seals, a PTO and a prop.

It is a land yacht.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by 2.7RS

Why don't you buy a replacement bumper from a junkyard. there must be one out there.

And go play with it.....

Bumpers are available but didn't really want to start taking things apart. Think about having something fabbed up and bolted to the frame. The U-haul bolt on is an option.

[Ayles]

Just keep the rock collecting to a minimum!

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

The Edsel is body on frame. This is blacksmith level fabrication. You should be able to go to any U-haul and get a trailer-hitch-frame-mount welded or bolted on, or call around your town to places that sell camp trailers and see what they have to say.

Take pictures! I hope the boat matches the car!

Here's a fella on Jalopy Journal who's towing a little camp trailer behind his....

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1959-edsel-ranger-223-i6-auto-towing-capacity.1056300/page-2

I came into possession of this little guy. Title says a 1960 MFG, I am not so sure it is an MFG things about it don't seem right but it, is what it is. I am going to have the light blue painted the same turquoise as the car. I also have an old metal cooler from the era and a set of Mahogany Cypress Gardens skis to go with it.

[herr_oberst]

Please, please please find an Edsel steering wheel for it!

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Please, please please find an Edsel steering wheel for it!

Finding an Edsel steering wheel is the easy part believe it or not. The Cable steering hub is a bit more difficult.

[A930Rocket]

I realize bumpers back then we’re heavy duty, but I don’t know if I would trust towing with a bumper hitch. Some kind of under mounted hidden hitch would be ideal.

Your idea reminds me of a friend that had a yellow 240Z and a matching yellow Magnum former race boat. The 240Z could not tow it, but he had a picture of it backed up like it was connected and it was really cool.