Anyone have a tow hitch on their E body?

[Mr Lee]

Mine had one, like 30 years ago, and to my recollection it was just bolted to the bumper, not the frame, but it's long gone and I'm now kicking around the idea of towing a small 5x8 trailer with a 450 lb motorcycle on it.

Any pics of how a tow hitch should be mounted underneath... where it would bolt to if not just to the bumper?  How robust the tow hitch, of course, would depend on how much weight you want to tow.  In my case, not that robust. 

I've seen all the pics of Challengers towing Airstreams and all that. But I'd like to see how it's mounted underneath.   Has anyone made one?  I could probably weld something up.  Just looking for ideas. 

Then I'd have to figure out the wiring and if this is even worth it.

[DeathProofCuda]

Seems like @purple1 should be able to chime in on this.

[purple1]

This is a picture of mine when I was making it years ago. It goes around the gas tank and bolts to the frame rails. I did have to drill the frame rails though. It also bolts to the bumper (had to drill that as well).

A guy over in Europe made one that bolts behind the bumper brackets and has a receiver hidden behind the license plate.

Either way would make a very strong hitch.

My advice for the wiring is to use relays. I burnt up 3 turn signal switches with the extra load of lights on the trailer. I did not use relays, instead switched all my tail lights (including the trailer) to LED replacements. 

[purple1]

Found some more pictures for you.

[larry4406]

My 71 vert had a hitch ball on a steel bar that was thru bolted to the bumper when I bought it in 1983.  I was told the owners daughter pulled horse trailers.

[Mr Lee]

I appreciate the pics and info. 

Nice work [mention]purple1 [/mention]   What did you tow with that?  It did the job?  I already filled in the holes on my bumper.  I dont wanna drill any new ones.  Lol.

Pulling a horse trailer with basically just the bumper and a piece of steel is some testament to how strong those bumpers are!  That's a lot of weight.

Off topic but i nailed a deer with my car and not a scratch anywhere. The front bumper sent the deer flying. I couldn't believe there was no damage. 

... Look at a modern car after a deer strike.


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[Cuda_mark]

My 71 vert had a hitch ball on a steel bar that was thru bolted to the bumper when I bought it in 1983.  I was told the owners daughter pulled horse trailers.

@larry4406 What does your vert look like now? That is an awesome pic!

[purple1]

I appreciate the pics and info. 

Nice work [mention]purple1 [/mention]   What did you tow with that?  It did the job?  I already filled in the holes on my bumper.  I dont wanna drill any new ones.  Lol.

Pulling a horse trailer with basically just the bumper and a piece of steel is some testament to how strong those bumpers are!  That's a lot of weight.


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Thanks. It does the job of towing "The worlds first E-body trailer". I see you are using tapatalk today. If you were on a computer you would see my signature picture of the trailer.

For anyone thinking of using one of these car to tow with, please read the owners manual about towing. These cars have a maximum towing of 2,000 pounds. I'm going to bet those old pictures of people towing around Airstream trailers were either right at the limit or even overloading the cars.

[cuda hunter]

Look at the town and country tow hitch's for a factory representation. 
I'll post up a factory picture if I can find one. 
In the mean time, here is one picture of one I own. 

[larry4406]

My 71 vert had a hitch ball on a steel bar that was thru bolted to the bumper when I bought it in 1983.  I was told the owners daughter pulled horse trailers.

@larry4406 What does your vert look like now? That is an awesome pic!

Sadly project vert is long dormant..

[Cuda_mark]

My 71 vert had a hitch ball on a steel bar that was thru bolted to the bumper when I bought it in 1983.  I was told the owners daughter pulled horse trailers.

@larry4406 What does your vert look like now? That is an awesome pic!

Looks like a good starting point though!

Sadly project vert is long dormant..

[ZippyZoo]

@Mr Lee
I put this bolt-on hitch on my Challenger in the mid-70s.  The "U" shaped piece bolts to the bottom of the bumper and holds the drawbar which also mounts through the bottom of the valence to supports which bolt to the rear of the trunk floor just ahead of the taillight panel.
I'd be willing to sell it but it's heavy so shipping would not be cheap.

[Mr Lee]

@purple1
Ahh, I see it now that I'm on my desktop computer.  Thanks for the heads up on that.  Yeah, the phone app doesn't show the photos like you mentioned but now I see them. 

Good to know about the weight limits too.  I should be well under 2,000 lbs if I decide to do this.

[Mr Lee]

Look at the town and country tow hitch's for a factory representation. 
I'll post up a factory picture if I can find one. 
In the mean time, here is one picture of one I own.

I'm not sure what you mean @cuda hunter .   Town & Country as in the old station wagons?  When I search Town & Country tow hitch, I get ads for modern hitches on Amazon and what not. 

But the one you posted a picture of looks pretty solid.  Can't really tell how it attaches up towards the axle though but I'm sure I can figure something out.   Thanks for posting. 

[Mr Lee]

@Mr Lee
I put this bolt-on hitch on my Challenger in the mid-70s.  The "U" shaped piece bolts to the bottom of the bumper and holds the drawbar which also mounts through the bottom of the valence to supports which bolt to the rear of the trunk floor just ahead of the taillight panel.
I'd be willing to sell it but it's heavy so shipping would not be cheap.

Thanks for posting @ZippyZoo .  I will think about it.  It's good to see all the different methods though.