Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks


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#233518 02/06/12 11:41 PM
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Any suggestions on where, or how, to add a trailer hitch to a C2 Corvette?

(No need to post any negative comments about this. I've already heard enough about that from the local folks. Ha!)
bigl bigl bigl bigl togo bigl bigl bigl bigl

Wilwood Engineering1955-1957

Willwood Engineering

Wilwood Engineering designs and manufactures high-performance disc brake systems.
Wilwood Engineering, Inc. - 4700 Calle Bolero - Camarillo, CA 93012 - (805) 388-1188


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Bill,
What is the load you plan to tow? There used to be a trailer hitch made for them. Of course that was a few years ago (well maybe more than a few). Basically you need to span the spare tire pan with two cross pieces that go from frame rail to frame rail. Then have a separate piece extending back behind the body. Have also seen hitch that mounted to the bumper braces. Not sure if you could put much of a load on that one.


How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
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It's a light load... Class I.

Manufactured trailer < 2,000 lbs loaded.

Yes, I found a photo of one similar to the one that you're describing. I couldn't figure out what the long bar attaches to up front. But maybe it'll be obvious after I put the car on the lift.

--Bill

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Bill,

Eckler's Corvette parts have several trailer hitches listed. Google them. If you do install a trailer hitch you'll need to watch your coolant temperature if the original radiator is still in use. The early Vets were boarderline on cooling and towing a trailer in hilly terrain might be troublesome.

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Hills? Around Seattle? ha ha...

Thanks for the tip. I will definately watch the radiator temp. Right now, I'm not even sure which trip I'd use it on this year. But I want to be ready in case it's the deal-maker for my wife to attend another multi-nighter. You know, guys just turn their underwear inside out, and get twice the use -- but women -- OH, NO!!! -- they need to have clean underwear EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!
monkey

I tried Eckler's already with no success -- at least with their online catalog. And neither did any of the other major suppliers have one. But our first Swap Meet is this weekend, so I'll try some face-to-face research.

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I think you could fabricate a hitch for the Vet. If you're trying to visualize your frames shape take a look at the '65 Vet frame currently on Ebay. The rear crossmember and side rails are up high rearward of the rear axle on your vehicle which doesn't help, but viewing the hitches that are available for Corvettes on the Eckler's along with knowing the frame configuration may give you ideas. I never paid close attention but we used to have fabricated trailer hitches on some vets for using a towing tynamometer.

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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Bill,
I've posted a photo on Member's Photos of the hitch that used to be on my Corvette....circa 1979. That's the way they used to do it...ouch! I can remember seeing a modern-no harm-version recently, I will try to locate that.
Tim


Tim Larson

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Well this is turning out to be more fun than when the pigs ate my brother. I copied the eBay photos of the frame and then I went out with a flashlight and crawled under my car. Wow...

What the heck was I thinking!?!?!?!? snomank

I'm not sure that a hitch is possible. Oh, sure if you want to drill through the bumpers... dang. And I have a brand new set of bumpers that I was going to mount when I add the hitch... but I'll be danged if I'm going to drill through them!!! orangeupset

So, I might have to try to come up with my own invention.
Hummmm... now where did I put that bottle opener? drink
idea stressed idea pigs

--Bill

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Is a luggage rack an option?

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Hey Bill - I found the info I was looking for on the hitch. See post in Member's photos. Good luck!
Tim


Tim Larson

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I had an identical hitch on my '70 Corvette many years ago. I used it to haul a sail boat and an antique car on a trailer. It would pull the load with no problem. I sold the hitch about 3 years ago when I was cleaning out my attic.
Sid

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Oil Can Mechanic
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Bill, PM me if you want photos and info on the correct Hitch for your Vette. I also own a Ski Rack for my 67 Coupe. Al W. FYI, adding a Hitch may cancel your antique insurance coverage.

Last edited by 67vetteal; 02/10/12 06:25 PM.

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bill: i think i have several 63-67 hitches that don't require drilling holes in the bumpers. having just returned to the farm from 3 weeks in fla, i've got a full plate here for the next week or so. if you remind me, i'll see if i still have a set. lea and i are heading west the first of march in our rv and i can bring it out your way then. no charge for the hitch in view of all you do for vcca.email me in a week or so and i'll check the barns for the hitch.mike

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Hey Mike,
I do a lot for the site, maybe not even close to what Bill does but you could bring me the '56 project for me to finish and put into my collection.


How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!

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