I can't help with the hitch design. These were sold as dealer installed
accessories by some car dealers, and even shown in the accessory catalogs
which the automobile companies put out, but I don't know who actually built
them. I have such a hitch for a Packard and have used it on my 55
Caribbean. It is a bolt-on hitch which uses the same bolts as the bumper
mounting points, and is very sturdy. I assume this sort of thing was also
available for Imperials, as many folks bought these heavy luxury cars
specifically for towing trailers.
The usual ball size in the USA is 2 inches for small trailers and 2 5/16
inches for larger trailers. Most hitches have removable balls, so you can
carry both sizes with you. 1 7/8 is also a common size, but it is usually
used only for very light trailers such as boat trailers. I carry all 3
sizes in my truck, along with the wrenches needed to change them. There
are also weight ratings for the hitches and for the balls. We have class I,
II and III in common use, with the heaviest (III) needed for most
substantial travel trailers. These are rated for 1000 # tongue weight and
10,000# tow vehicle weight - both way too much for a passenger car - this is
1 ton dually country for heavy trailers. I'd think a class II is about the
most it makes sense to put on an Imperial, rated 500# tongue weight, 3500#
tow weight. These numbers are from my fading memory, you should be able to
confirm or correct them with a Google search.
Dick Benjamin
----- Original Message -----
From: "Remco van Lent" <remco.nancy@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2003 8:54 AM
Subject: IML: trailorhitch for a 57
> Hello list
> I posted the same question about a year ago
> I would like to make a trailor hitch for my 57
> I am looking for pics or a drawing of one
> Here in the netherlands I cant go to a local shop and have one made
> these things must be tested and aproved no company would take the risk
>
> Q 2 what is the diameter of the ball on the hitch in the USA
> Yes I am planning to get a vintage Airstream behind my 57
> is there anyone on the list that have experiance with this
>
>
> Regards Remco
>
>
>
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