Page 1 of 1

Towing a trailor?

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 10:47 am
by Loftbed
I have someone interested in purchasing my 26 Huckster, he has a small covered camper I'm guessing about 1200-1600 lbs. The huckster has a fresh recently rebuilt engine and trans (about 500 miles on them). What is the general thoughts on doing this? I don't want to tell him its OK to do this if its an issue?

Rod

No Way Jose

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 11:40 am
by FreighTer Jim
“ I don’t know “ is the correct answer.

You are selling an antique vehicle.

Not a tow vehicle.

No express or implied mechanical warranty or suitably
for use on a public road ( let alone as a tow vehicle )
should be made by you to a prospective buyer.


FJ

Re: Towing a trailor?

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 12:02 pm
by Derek Kiefer
I'd do a lot of things that many people wouldn't recommend... but I wouldn't do that with stock T brakes!

Re: Towing a trailor?

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 12:23 pm
by RustyFords
Derek Kiefer wrote:
Tue Mar 19, 2019 12:02 pm
I'd do a lot of things that many people wouldn't recommend... but I wouldn't do that with stock T brakes!
The first thought that came to my mind was not making the combination (car and trailer) go, but rather making it stop.

I'm new to T's but not pre-war antique cars, and I've resisted the urge to tow with old cars that have brakes a lot better than a Model T.

Honesty is always the best policy. If you don't know, tell the buyer that you don't know.

Question Of Liability

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 12:30 pm
by FreighTer Jim
If you don’t make an express or implied representation of suitability for use or purpose - no problemo.

If you are asked and you answer anything other than “ No “ or “ I don’t know “ and some Yahoo goes out and causes damage or injury - you might have a conversation or more with an attorney or an insurance company.

We live in a Litigious Society.

Some folks like to blame others for their choices & decisions.


Jim

Re: Towing a trailor?

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 12:49 pm
by Loftbed
OK,
I have already told the buyer that I had no idea if the car could pull his trailer, that is why I am asking the question. I do know there are T's out there that are being used as tow vehicles, I'm just trying to amass as much info as I can to give him, for example the Brake issue is a great beginning. I also found this discussion involving a T club of trailer towers who state that all of there cars are using stock brakes, though some have brakes on the trailers. http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/50 ... 1231634347

Rod

Re: Towing a trailor?

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 12:52 pm
by DJPeterson
Remember you only have 20 hp, usually not more than 26 with special cam, carb and high comp. head. That engine and especially your bands will not put up with that kind of abuse very long, not to mention stopping as noted above. Dean Yoder tows a trailer with his T but I would expect it weighs in the range of 500-700 lb at the most, and he is a very experienced T driver.

Re: Towing a trailor?

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 1:00 pm
by Dallas Landers
I think last year there was a post with a photo of Deans T and trailer jack knifed into a ditch backward and his looks very light weight. He has pleanty of experiece and it still happened.

Re: Towing a trailor?

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 7:00 pm
by Scott_Conger
Sounds like a positively terrible idea to me. I don't think the low band or low drum will survive long enough to have a wreck, so there is that... :?

Re: Towing a trailor?

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 8:03 pm
by Henry K. Lee
Been tinkering the idea of a TT camper and hauling a Speedster behind it. As mentioned above, pure hell on the bands, clutches, etc. Braking would really freak me out living in the mountains. Would have to have some sort of accessory trailer brakes.

I scratch the idea due to safety concerns primarily.

All the Best,

Hank

Re: Towing a trailor?

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 10:51 pm
by Tmodelt
Is the issue with the tail wagging the dog or transmission internals?

Didn't the Vintage Ford magazine do a cover story many years ago about "Billy Pubah" (sp) and his TT hauling a Model T racer on back?

I plan on building a single axle trailer using T wheels and springs. All that I plan on hauling are a couple of my milk came and an antique camel back trunk. More for looks than anthing. Maybe I should consider electric trailer brakes.

Re: Towing a trailor?

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 12:15 am
by Loftbed
I guess it's a moot point as i have another buyer who will be using it as originally intended, no trailer.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

Rod