Howdy folks! below i have a two bar that came with my 20 speedster. I dont really have a need for it but thought it was neat. the U clamps attach to the front axle and the rod that connects the two spindles so the tow bar actually steers the car when the the tow vehicle turns! purdy cool. On the bar is stamped "Rose Dutton Lanison CO Hastings Patent applied for" Any info would be great! also, i plan on selling this in the future so let me know what think its worth.
also... this is my first post with pics... sorry if it doesnt come out great :/
Nathan,
I have seen similar ones used to tow a Model T or Model A. But I suspect (but do not know)that it was probably originally designed to convert a Model T, Model A or similar chassis into a trailer more than being a tow bar for one.
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
There are several types, but you are right on Hap.
haha i was actually thinking earlier that you could make a neat trailer with it! maybe the guys that have trailers for their Ts would be interested haha!
Dutton Lanison CO is in Hastings Nebraska and they and they manufacture agricultural related products. They are still in business
Doug
Nathan,
One other comment -- in general folks would not/should not tow a Model T unless it has an auxiliary transmission or other means to have a true neutral.
Respectfully submitted,
Hap 1915 cut off
Hap, Im new to this club and Ts in general, but if the brake lever was in the upright position wouldnt that be neutral? Again, I know less about model T trannys than most people have forgotten. Thanks! any idea how much its worth?
Unless you find a "Live one" You'll be lucky to get $10-15 for it. I have several ,I have acquired over the years from farm wagons.
im sorry... is "live one" a brand?
Nathan,
When towing a T in 'Neutral', parts of the transmission are turning. Only problem is....they are not receiving any lubrication, as the oil only gets slung around when the flywheel is turning, which isn't happening when you're towing in 'Neutral'.
Nathan, I think he means "sucker" with money.
haha thanks guys. i appreciate all the help
I have one just like that, only different. I paid over $60 for it; dunno why. I have never used it.
My Dad might have used one of those when he packed the pregnant wife, her brother and their four kids into a '29 Model A Tudor, pulling a 4-wheel trailer made from a Model T chassis. They went from Western Nebraska to Southern Oregon in December 1933.
The 's brakes overheated on the descent into Salt Lake City, and they almost collided with a streetcar.
That trailer probably looked like this one:
Heres a sucker, I'll buy it from you, let me know how much.
If you pulled the spark plugs out, there wouldn't be any compression for the engine to fight, but the rotating assembly would still sling oil. At least that's how I understand the mechanics of the engine. As long as you're not towing the car faster than a T could go under its own power, I don't think it would be an issue. I was discussing tow bars with a friend and we decided it might be handy to have one on a tour when you're out in the middle of nowhere.
Jared, I guess you've never driven a car with a sparkplug missing. It's loud as gunfire.
I think I would rather put it in neutral and fill the crankcase to where the brake drum can sling oil, although I've never tried it.
I have aux tranny with a good neutral, and wheel brakes, of course..
Or you can use free wheeling adaptors.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/154331.html
It is actually Dutton Lianson I think. Dave
Had an identical one on a 1925 chevrolet chasis converted to a flatbed trailer. Hitch was purchased from Western Auto about 1935. Trailer could not be towed over about 30 mph or would wabble out of control.
I'll try that again. Dutton Lainson. Dave
We were just spitballing an idea for how to get a downed car back to civilization. He would like to build a towbar he could store on the car out of the way, like strapped to a framerail or something like that. Then if a car breaks down he can take it down, hook up to the dead car, and get down the road to a gas station. It does sound good, in theory.
I can see where it would wabble if the tie rod were clamped a bit off center. You could use it without clamping to the tie rod. My towbar attaches to the frame, with no connection to the steering. I learned that from my Dad towing 8N tractors on all fours. I hid the towbar under the Speedster for a trip to Oregon in 2001, and never had to use it.
how did you keep the wheels from turning?
The car tracks just like it does when driving. The caster provides the stability..
If anyone needs one of those tow bars I think I have several, I've scrapped several of them.
I've towed a Beetle on trips many times with a tow bar that just attaches to the front axle. As Ralph says, the car steers whichever way it's pulled.
" can see where it would wabble if the tie rod were clamped a bit off center. You could use it without clamping to the tie rod."
Umm, I take that back. It wouldn't work at all without clamping to the tie rod. You need two legs of a triangle attached to the towed car.
rdr