MTFCA Forum

Triggered by the post about a lightweight trailer, I would like to ask for inspiration of how to make a hitch for Model T.
The above thread have a reference to a post in the old forum, where we see this picture:


Now - the regulations over here in Europe are a litle more restrictive than in USA, but to a large extent, when dealing with cars as old as Ford Model T you have some possibilities without having to come up with 100 pages of documentation .

My plan is to equip my 1921 ½ton roaster pick-up with a hitch - somewhat establish 12V supply to the traiuler to make it a free coupling (allowed to haul any trailer up to the weight limit) and the prime trailer would be my Camp-let tentwagon which weigh 500 kg gross weight - 350 kg tara.

The pick-up: The Camp-Let: So - lets see how you have made your hitches!

Noone done something like this?

Many ways of doing a hitch, and most use the rear crossmember/spring hanger u-bolts for attachment, being part of the frame.


Got this one already made by welding to a 26-27 rear tire carrier, and with enough length and shape to reach thru the spare tire, if equipped.


Other's from photo saved to files:
And the famous T trailer tourer, Mr.Dean Yoder, uses this set up for trailer pulling.

I have hitches on 2 T's and a Model A pick up, I have used them all and the work well I will include pictures. Please remember it isn't how or what you pull but how you stop it.

How about a multipurpose hitch?
Spare carrier and hitch.

Michael,
Your picture is of a TT. Different rear crossmember, different spring mounting than a T. Ford did not make a 1/2 ton pickup, a pickup bed on a car chassis should probably be limited to the weight of 2 adults, so under 400 lbs . I would caution you pulling a 1000 lb trailer with a 1700 lb model T.

Hello Dykker & fello Ter's like Dennis said you need brakes. Can you adapted electric brakes to your Camp Let you will have much better brakes if you do cheers Warwick.

You want to pull something that's half the weight of your T? That sounds brave. I'm building a hitch right now, but my kompact camper only weighs 260

Would you use a Fulton coupler on your trailer and, then, would require a ball hitch? Or would you use something like a farm type hitch with a flat plate and a hole to drop a pin in?
I was visualizing a wooden trailer to be made from the same wood as my depot hack and would use a farm type set up. I pulled a Model A wishbone from the family bone yard and it already had the flat plate and hole welded onto the wishbone and the axle. I would need to create a wooden frame, bed and find a way to connect it to the axle with or without a leaf spring . But the type of coupler and hitch might need to be made first.

I can't help with the hitch, but wanted to comment on your camplet. It looks very similar to our Combi-Camp 404 that my parents bought new in 1984. We did many fun family trips with that camper- and at the time (I was 9) it was light enough that I could unhook it and set it up myself- it weighed about 400 lbs and set up in 15 seconds. Your camper seems to be of a similar concept but your top (which on ours becomes the floor) looks more robust.

I believe ours was from Denmark, imported to the states and sold in Royal Oak, MI. It also had an 'addition' that zipped on that effectively doubled the size but had no floor.

Thanks for the memory jog.
Very Respectfully,
jason