BUSY BOLTERS Are you one?  The Shop Area
continues to pull in the most views on the Stovebolt. In August alone there were over 22,000 views in those 13 forums.
| | Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics126,781 Posts1,039,298 Members48,100 | | Most Online2,175
Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 43 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 43 | Hi;
I'm thinking about installing a trailer hitch on my 1954 3100. Is there one available to purchase or do I have to make one? I have seen some universal types but it looks like there might be a clearance problem with the spare tire. Any ideas?
Thanks.
Rich | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 990 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 990 | I wonder if a few of the vintage truck suppliers could point you to the right direction. I know if you had a step bumper they always seem to have a provision for a trailer ball. You might try some of the vendors on our links page. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 | I have an old one on my truck stamped Valley RV but I'm pretty sure its no longer made. The best way to do it is to find a welding shop and have them make you a reciever hitch that fits well, a bumper hitch isn't really very safe.
Paint & Body Shop moderator
A lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 990 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 990 | | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 990 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 990 | btw, whatcha gwana tote with it? I made a really big industrial one for my 1 ton, but it has to tote heavy stuff every now and then. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 531 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 531 | I'm kinda wondering the same thing as Rich... I installed a rear bumper on my 56 Stepside. It has a flat "step" in the middle of it. Any thoughts if I drilled a hole there for a ball?? I don't see myself towing anything major. A small food concession trailer perhaps.... | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 | Don't know if it will help but check out Vintage Truck for October 2005, on page 18 there is an article entitled 'Trailer Hitch for Vintage Towing'. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 399 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 399 | Larry Bear...Check your email
Shoop | | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 531 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 531 | | | | | | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,682 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,682 | My '46 1/2 ton has a solid bar about 3" thick for a rear bumper with a flange sticking out the center with a hole in it for a ball hitch.
It held a 14" car trailer with a Farmall Super M (with a loader) on it just fine.
Guess my springs are still good, since it didnt lower the back of the truck all that much.
an idea is only stupid if you think about it rationally.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,158 | Grandpa made a hitch when he put the flatbed on. It's welded onto the bed's frame and bolted onto the truck's. It's not going anywhere.
When I put the box on, I'm not sure how I'm gonna pull that off. I may get a class III receiver hitch off of a junkyard denizen and modify/cannibalize it to make it work with the truck.
It should be interesting, whichever way it goes. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 738 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 738 | My 61 has a step bumper with a 2.5" ball mounted directly to it. It is pretty strong. I am not going to haul a big boat on it, but it totes a small trailer with yard waste or a 4 wheeler just fine. I am not sure if it is an "advisable" setup and I am sure someone will clue me in. It works for what I use it for, it is a nice enough set up.
"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity." - George S. Patton My Machine | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 43 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 43 | Hi;
Just a quick note to update. I have tried the major old truck sources (LMC, Chevy Duty, etc.) and also the major hitch manufacturers (Reese, Draw-Tight, etc.) No one offers a ready-made. But I did get good ideas from all of you and so will make one.
Thanks.
Rich | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 | On my 63 I'm going to mount one just behind the license plate so it will be hidden until needed. I'll just mount an old GM fold down license plate frame to access the hitch. Just a thought,
Scott | | | | | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 124 Member | | Member Joined: May 2004 Posts: 124 | I just bought a good one from Orshelns Farm supply this week. Just measured how wide my frame is and got one the same size. They had it in stock.Six holes drilled in the frame and six bolts and I was done.It was predrilled for a late model truck but it worked real good on my 54 one ton GMC.
I like old trucks
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 194 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 194 | | | | | | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 112 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 112 | I modified one off a Dodge caravan to fit my 64. The drop was just right. Just had to narrow it. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 247 Member | | Member Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 247 | Get a minimum of Class III (3) hitch if you intend to pull a car trailer.
Draw-Tite usually has something to fit everything, and are pretty good quality. You'll likely need to measure the distance between framerails, and match it to one of their models (their parts books don't go back that far). I have one on my 66 because I pull a trailer fairly regularly. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,756 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,756 | I have one I took off a 62. It is the square receiver type and bolted to the frame. some of it is probably homemade but it looks ok. Make me a offer and come and get it in Lansing mi,(not to far from toledo) | | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 445 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 445 | First try a used car dealer,any dealer for a hitch.They take them off the cars before they sell them to tell you the little old lady only drove it to sunday school.Once you got the hitch,go to the hardwear store ,buy some square channel,cut to size.the lenight is 46" on a 53 1/2T.This will give ya a class 5 hitch Reese hitch 2"
dan-pa
| | |
|
|
