Help me ID this seemingly period correct tow bar

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Help me ID this seemingly period correct tow bar
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nathan Bright on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 06:20 pm:

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 :/


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nathan Bright on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 06:34 pm:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 06:42 pm:

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


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kohnke Rebabbitting on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 06:49 pm:

There are several types, but you are right on Hap.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nathan Bright on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 07:36 pm:

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!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Doug Wilson on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 07:40 pm:

Dutton Lanison CO is in Hastings Nebraska and they and they manufacture agricultural related products. They are still in business
Doug


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 07:47 pm:

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


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nathan Bright on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 07:51 pm:

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?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Daron - Brownsburg IN on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 08:11 pm:

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.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nathan Bright on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 08:30 pm:

im sorry... is "live one" a brand?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 08:42 pm:

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'.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Willie K Cordes on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 08:45 pm:

Nathan, I think he means "sucker" with money.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nathan Bright on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 08:49 pm:

haha thanks guys. i appreciate all the help :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 11:20 pm:

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:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kevin Crouch on Tuesday, October 02, 2012 - 11:25 pm:

Heres a sucker, I'll buy it from you, let me know how much.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jared Buckert on Friday, October 05, 2012 - 05:56 pm:

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.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Friday, October 05, 2012 - 07:03 pm:

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..


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gary H. White - Sheridan, MI on Friday, October 05, 2012 - 07:58 pm:

Or you can use free wheeling adaptors.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/154331.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Stroud on Saturday, October 06, 2012 - 05:08 am:

It is actually Dutton Lianson I think. Dave


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Robinson on Saturday, October 06, 2012 - 09:28 am:

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.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Stroud on Saturday, October 06, 2012 - 04:42 pm:

I'll try that again. Dutton Lainson. Dave


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jared Buckert on Saturday, October 06, 2012 - 06:47 pm:

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.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Saturday, October 06, 2012 - 09:31 pm:

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.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nathan Bright on Saturday, October 06, 2012 - 11:46 pm:

how did you keep the wheels from turning?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 01:46 am:

The car tracks just like it does when driving. The caster provides the stability..


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Danuser on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 11:48 am:

If anyone needs one of those tow bars I think I have several, I've scrapped several of them.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 12:04 pm:

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.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 04:36 pm:

" 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


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