Mark D Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 A few years ago when I started my search for a P15, I came across this set of build-it-yourself plans on ebay as published by Science & Mechanics Magazine. It clearly shows a late 46-48 P15 towing their version of a "Trail Scout" camper. So I decided, what the heck, bid and won the auction for short money. I was wondering if anyone has any expirience towing a camper with a P15? It appears from the image that they only used a bumper mounted hitch, unlike the common frame mount we see today on modern rides. I'm guessing from the construction methods on the plan that this camper would have weighed in at close to a thousand pounds dry with probably a tongue weight of close to 300 pounds. Interested to hear more about this subject. Someday I may just undertake this little project... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JIPJOBXX Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 I have not tried out my trailer yet on the open road but I did install some helper spring support after this picture and it should help. I only plan to show my car oft with the trailer and not camping! Camping is made for my big toy! http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/1942dodge/Rebel%20Bird/Rebel%20Bird%20Custom%20Motor%20Home/?action=view¤t=ec8eab96.pbw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark D Posted March 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 Great looking rig in the photo and the Wanderlodge in the link is awesome too. Back in the day that was the best money could buy and it shows with so many still on the road today. Spent plenty of time in one of those Aljo's as a kid. Tease my parents to this day that they could sleep 10 people in that little rig as compared to the 39 foot 5th wheel they drag around today that sleeps a convenient 2 people! (ie: no grand kids) Love to see a close up photo of your bumper hitch some day. Happy motoring/camping! -M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkAubuchon Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 Pulling isnt the problem Stopping is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niel Hoback Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 Mark's right about that. I pull a trailer up to about a half ton and it will make you plan ahead. You will learn to shift smoother, also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claybill Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 making an underneath hitch is kind of easy...look it up about 1-2 years ago in the search section. pics and all. start with a regular hitch used from salvage and cut off the ends and weld on new ones and go. i doubt if you are 300 lbs tongue...maybe 100. you can add ballast to rear of trailer as needed to curb tongue wgt. bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teardrop puller Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 Pulling isnt the problem Stopping is I added a electric brake controller for the stopping. It is not hard and you do not have to rewire the whole car. The only problem is normally you have to have 12V. It really helps with the stopping, those disk brakes only go so far. I think a trailer with out brakes only requires that you buy the brake stuff. I should just bolt on to the axle stubs. kai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claybill Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 I pull a small teardrop total weight is 800 pounds..60 lb tongue wt.... pulls easy effortless. stopping is noticeable ,...go slow , plan ahead. bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blucarsdn Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Towing a small camping trailer behind a '30-40-50's vehicle was a very common affair when those vehicles were the everyday vehicles. In most cases the rear bumper had to be reinforced to hold the hitch and overload/helper springs were added. The Tear-Drop type of trailer was very popular during the late 1930's, early '40's, my father pulled one behind his '40 Chevy on trips from Los Angeles to Nevada and Idaho before WWII started. The modern type "receiver hitches" are much better than the old bumper hitches. Several of my friends have receiver hitches on their old cars, some as old as 1930 Model A's. You have to be very careful with tongue weight, if the TW is to low the trailer will "fishtail" all over the place, possibly putting the tow vehicle off of the road.. If the TW is to high the tow vehicle will be dragging it's tail which will take load from the front tires causing poor steering control. Ideally the weight will be even so everything, trailer and tow vehicle will be in a straight line. The attached photo was taken in 1940 at one of our family camping trips to Idaho. The vehicle towing the Tear-Drop is my dads '40 Chevy the other cars are my uncles '38 Dodge and '39 Plymouth. Note.. If you click on the pix you can enlarge it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al B. Bach Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 I have not tried out my trailer yet on the open road but I did install some helper spring support after this picture and it should help. I only plan to show my car oft with the trailer and not camping! Camping is made for my big toy! http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/1942dodge/Rebel%20Bird/Rebel%20Bird%20Custom%20Motor%20Home/?action=view¤t=ec8eab96.pbw That's cool! I would love to build one of these for my Windsor. Your Bluebird is my dream coach! Someday I will have one but for now I live with my 82 Vogue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al B. Bach Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 A few years ago when I started my search for a P15, I came across this set of build-it-yourself plans on ebay as published by Science & Mechanics Magazine. It clearly shows a late 46-48 P15 towing their version of a "Trail Scout" camper. So I decided, what the heck, bid and won the auction for short money. I was wondering if anyone has any expirience towing a camper with a P15? It appears from the image that they only used a bumper mounted hitch, unlike the common frame mount we see today on modern rides. I'm guessing from the construction methods on the plan that this camper would have weighed in at close to a thousand pounds dry with probably a tongue weight of close to 300 pounds. Interested to hear more about this subject. Someday I may just undertake this little project...[ATTACH]24799[/ATTACH][ATTACH]24798[/ATTACH] Those are neat palns! Any chance you could reproduce them? I would love to have a set for a future project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1940plymouth Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 Me too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claybill Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 (edited) hitch.... Edited March 11, 2011 by claybill pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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