67BETE

I have this trailer hitch and I was wondering whether anyone recognizes it and might be able to tell what kinda hardware was used to mount it to the bumpers? Obviously, it was bolts, but were they chromed, did they use washers, and so on. The last picture shows the holes used to mount. Anyone have any original hardware for this hitch? Thanks.

Kirk

66jack

Are you going to sell it
I had one of those on my car back in 1974 when i bought it...i took it off and lost track of it...
As far as i can remember "on my hitch" it just had the bolts through the bumpers...

I would like to purchase it if its not tooooo expensive...

jack

nassau66427

FWIW, I have a similar hitch (different manufacturer though) I took off 30+ years ago. The bolts were not chrome plated. The mounting hardware consisted of the bolt with a good size flat washer under the head, and a lock washer under the nut. The nut went on the inside of the bumper. I think the bolts were zinc plated.

You can pick up the bolts you need at the hardware store. They needn't be anything special.

67vetteal

Your Hitch is basically a non starter. Only a very light Trailer should be towed with the Bumper bolted style hitch. Back in the day we used a similar Hitch but the center Tongue Bar was attached to the vehicles frame at the Spring Carrier. Solid as a rock! We mostly installed them to protect our Vettes in the event of being rear ended. Al W.

nassau66427

Here's something you might want to consider:

"If in the opinion of the manufacturer a part or component of a motor vehicle has been adversely affected by misuse of the vehicle with trailer loads, such part or component will not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty"*

*emphasis added.

Revette

Does anyone have a copy of the article in Corvette News that gave directions on how to build a hitch that attached to the frame of the car? It was a wishbone-shaped device that allowed removal of the sparetire without dropping the hitch.

A friend built and used one back in the late 60's/early 70s that proved to be a well designed unit that allowed the Corvette to handle quite well with a trailer behind it.

67BETE

I wondered this from the beginning as to how sturdy these hitches were just being bolted to the bumpers. Seems to me any weight at all would have bent the heck out the bumpers. If so, what did trailer with these hitches. Gotta ask, what is a non starter?

Kirk

365GTB4

I had the exact same hitch on my 64. In the sixties and early seventies I towed trailers all over the US. I moved while in the army and in college with rental trailers and the Corvette. I drilled the bumpers and use grade 5 zinc bolts, nuts and washers. It never caused me a problem. I don't think I ever towed more the 2000 lbs. I never had any breaking or handling problems. I had a heavy duty rear spring and shocks and a 365hp with 4:11's.

Vogie

Doing a quick inventory of the parts depicted.

I assume the small brackets with two holes each are bolted at the spring mount where the front of the hitch attaches. There are two small brackets with one hole each. Do these fasten to the bumper or to the frame. In the photo, it appears that the cross brace is upside down so the length of the vertical legs is unclear.

I missed one of these for sale here a while back and have watching for another to show up. Since they rarely show up, I am considering making one.

Thanks.

66jack

if your going to make one...would you consider selling the one you posted...

jack

sub006

If you're in the market for a C1 or C2 you will use for towing on a regular basis, look for a Powerglide. Max torque multiplication, and only one pedal to deal with when backing up and turning at the same time.

claf

Like 364GTB4 I towed all over New England using that type of four bolt bumper hitch in the late 60's and early 70's pulling a small two wheel trailer with my TR Spitfire on it. Probably weighed around a ton. Used about 200-250 tongue weight and never had any trouble at speeds up to 75-80. (427/435 tow car) Bob.

Ironcross

I used the Drawtite hitch on three Vettes including the one shown in the pictures on my 63..That company {Drawtite} was only 5 miles down the road and we sold that brand in my Dads parts store....I believe there completely out of business now

365GTB4

That was what we called a drop hitch. You still bolt the cross piece to the bumpers but you can drop the ball down to get to the spare. In the photo the cross piece is upside down. They were around 80 bucks. The one piece like I had was 35 bucks. I would have bought the drop hitch if I had the money. They both as I recall were rated 2000 lbs max towing load.

67BETE

Sorry, not for sale.

Kirk

67BETE

So for you guys that used them. Did the sides that bolt onto the bumpers meet flush with the bumper, or do you remember there being a gap that you filled with a washer or spacer. Mine seems to leave a small gap on each side when placed where it would normally be. Also, did the holes go through both pieces of the bumper or just one side and bolted inside the bumper? Thanks.

Kirk

Vogie

Who, me? I'm looking for a drop hitch and keep missing the ones that have come up for sale. I may try to make one when I get to that point in my project. I may need a race / luggage trailer. PM coming to you.

nassau66427

You can loosen the bumper mounting bolts, install the hitch, then retighten the bumper bolts.

The holes only go through one side of the bumper. The nut goes inside the bumper.

67BETE

Anyone got an original picture of one of these on vette?


Kirk

Ron Miller

Here's a picture of the one with the dropping drawbar, allowing access to the spare tire. No holes in the bumper, the rear bracket uses the bumper mounting bolt locations, the front bolts to the spring mounting bolts.



I sold one just like it a few months ago that I had owned for 25 years or so, decided finally I wasn't gonna put it on my other car.