Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

fordf350camper · Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 358

Hi all on my 1935 caravan i would like to change the towing hitch from a bracket that has a hole in were you conect to a pin on your car.I would like a 50mm hitch instead.Well my caravan has brakes so at the moment the hitch is a rod that pushs the brakes on.But to take the hitch rod off i will have to unbolt a big nut that has a large spring .Will the spring be under tension when i un- screw the nut.Thanks Pete

Dalek63 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 490 Location: North Cornwall

Usually this type of hitch uses a spring instead of the more modern hydraulic damper / shock absorber. Its only in tention when the caravan over-runs and applies the brakes. If in doubt use a socket ratchet with a tube on the handle, so your hand / arm is a long way from the spring when the nut comes off.
Hope this helps
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Fluffle-Valve · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 10:32 pm Post subject:

I think the spring won't be under any pressure once the nut is un-done near to the end of it's thread.
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Series 3 1972 LWB Truck Cab Pick Up. My daily drive.

Scarlet Snail · Joined: 16 Aug 2010 Posts: 76 Location: Suffolk

I have a ring and pin on my 'Mystery' caravan. I thought of changing it to 50mm, but didn't want to spoil the authenticity. As I have not towed it very far yet, I was wondering why you wanted to change yours. Is there a 'hitch' to this hitch that I should know about? Yours sounds exactly like mine.

Bayliss Thomas · Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 557 Location: SUFFOLK

My 'van' also has the old ring'N pin type draw bar connector which I will have to change to the modern cup and ball type. The reason being is simply that if my tow car should breakdown whilst towing the RAC would only be able to rescue the car as they only have the modern tow ball connector for attachment of the caravan.

Scarlet Snail · Joined: 16 Aug 2010 Posts: 76 Location: Suffolk

Good point. I was trying to work out if I could fit a 50mm cup hitch to the ring, and thereby using the existing mechanism?

Bayliss Thomas · Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 557 Location: SUFFOLK

Scarlet Snail · Joined: 16 Aug 2010 Posts: 76 Location: Suffolk

Bayliss Thomas · Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 557 Location: SUFFOLK

I took the guts of my draw bar out and found just the simple rod with brake bumper stop at one end and towing eye at other. In-between and encased in the draw bar are two coil springs separated by an stop in the middle of the rod. On wishing to put the thing back together I can only manage to compress the one spring Confused

Also I contacted Indesuspension asking if they could modify my towing arrangement to accept the cup section of the modern system, to which they said no, polity
So now will have to seek out an independent engineering company who may accept the job. This is one of the reasons I asked about towing legislation with old vintage combo's. .

Bayliss Thomas · Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 557 Location: SUFFOLK

Fluffle-Valve · Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 11:06 am Post subject:

Pictures would be good please.
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Series 3 1972 LWB Truck Cab Pick Up. My daily drive.

Bayliss Thomas · Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 557 Location: SUFFOLK

Scarlet Snail · Joined: 16 Aug 2010 Posts: 76 Location: Suffolk

Still deciding about the hitch. I have just been speaking to a blacksmith 'down south' who knows a lot about restoring these things. He advises to keep the ring as it is original equipment and also much more secure than a ball. The knocking and rattling can be prevented by a leather loop device which he described to me. It can be rescued by bolting on a socket, and it is less likeley to be stolen!