So, Just How Big a Trailer Can a Model A pull?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Is this really safe to pull behind a Model A?

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[DaWizard]

I personally wouldn't trust even the Randy Gross brakes I have to stop a loaded trailer of that size. So, I would say "not with mechanical brakes".

[Mitch]

If he is actually pulling that with his A, that person needs his head examined, not to mention the lives he would be putting a risk on the road.
I'm hoping it is just parked in front of the hitch and looks like it's connected

[Tom Wesenberg]

If he is actually pulling that with his A, that person needs his head examined, not to mention the lives he would be putting a risk on the road.
I'm hoping it is just parked in front of the hitch and looks like it's connected

Yep, it is at Gilmore, and from where I was standing by the gate, it looked like it was pulling the big trailer, so I had to get the picture.

[TOBKOB]

Never under estimate a Model A Ford!

[mshmodela]

No Model A should pull anything --aside those period type trailers for very light loads or just for show. A used modern pick up truck (1990s-2010) is a
very reasonable towing solution for the price even if you put in a rebuilt engine and or transmission.

That said, I wonder if the photo appear to look like the A was towing the trailer when in fact that car was in the trailer? Either way, that trailer is too damn big for that car to tow.

[CarlG]

While my Dad was in college (early '40s) he drove his Model A between Los Angeles & Waco, TX several times with my Mom and me, pulling a trailer.

[Tom Wesenberg]

The trailer is actually about 10 feet closer than the Model A, but it just appeared to be connected, so I snapped the picture.

[Mitch]

You tricked us or at least me!!

[CarlG]

How about this one?

[TOBKOB]

Again, Never under estimate a Model A Ford!

TOB

[Mike V. Florida]

How's this?



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[DaWizard]

Damn, that has to have a LOT of tongue weight!!

[Tom Wesenberg]

Damn, that has to have a LOT of tongue weight!!

I read an article about that a few years ago. The Coupe has a truck rear end and extra heavy duty springs.
I've always wondered why they placed the trailer axle so far back?

[DaWizard]

Well, it is obvious that they knew nothing of trailer geometry.

It also appears that the truck rear end was of a foreign nature with the wheels on that coupe, unless this is a '50s build and used something inline with a '36 or later rear end and wheels to match. But you could never get the tongue weight under 100# with that little rear overhang.

[CarlG]

Here's the article as published in Old Car Weekly some time ago.

Most Model A Fords can be found for sale in the $10,000-20,000 range, but the 1931 Ford Model A coupe going up for sale at Auctions America by RM‘s Auburn Fall auction is expected to sell for about 10 times that sum ($150,000 – $225,000 estimate). If you figure, like we do, that the most valuable Model A is the 20 Millionth Ford built, a 1931 Model A Fordor, that would make this coupe the second-most-valuable example of “Henry’s Lady.” To be fair, there’s more to the Deluxe coupe offered by Auctions America than a pretty little profile.

The 1931 Model A coupe Auctions America will offer during its sale Aug. 30-Sept. 2 in Auburn, Ind., is part of a car-camper combo assembled in the 1930s, offering the winning bidder a time-capsule car and fishing display and, above all, a handsome package that no one else can claim.

This 1931 Ford Model A and fishing camper is expected to sell for $150,000-225,000 during Auctions America by RM's Fall Auburn auction.

Marine products representative J.M. Keely modified his new 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe and custom-built trailer for heavy-duty road use to haul fishing gear for his sales calls across the Southeastern United States. The Model A and trailer combo provided Keely with a sales platform as well as on-the-road accommodations. Once retired from the road, the Keely combo lived in storage for many decades until its recent restoration.

The nautical-themed, custom-built, single-axle camper is a 20-foot-long rolling fishing cabin with twin bunk beds, a hooded gas stove, icebox, sink, writing desk and cabinets housing Keely’s original enamelware cookery and utensils. A 25-gallon water tank with hand pump serves the camper, and an attachment allows “shore water” to be piped aboard. Model A cranks and regulators operate the trailer’s windows, and brass screens keep the mosquitoes away.

The restorer carefully recreated the lettering that decorated the exterior of Keely’s caravan, advertising products such as Rain-Beau Fishing Lines and Sea HorseBrand Fishing Tackle. A veritable boatload of rare fishing supplies – rods, lure, floats, oars and small outboard motors – is included with the sale, as is every scrap of paper and notebooks full of photographs Keely kept to document the life of this car and camper.

As it sits now, looking like its vintage photographs come to life, the Model A is fitted with a heavily reinforced rear spring and cross member and still has the axle, hubs, brakes and thick steel rear wheels from a Ford AA truck. Unlike a stock Model A, the four-cylinder engine in Keely’s car has two six-volt generators – one to power the car’s electrical system and the other for twin storage batteries that run the trailer’s lights. When parked at a trailer camp, a 110-volt hookup powers fans, lights and a radio for the self-contained environment. At primitive locations, juice comes from an onboard gas generator.

“This Model A and travel trailer combo is a real find for us,” said Auctions America by RM’s President Donnie Gould. “Our Car Specialists are always on the lookout for vehicles that grab attention and set us apart from our competition. We are very happy to offer this 80-year-old travel rig with so much genuine nostalgic value and history.”

In addition to the nearly 1,500 cars for sale, Auburn Fall will feature a seminar and special display devoted to the 50th anniversary of Carroll Shelby’s legendary Cobra and Mustang sports cars.

Learn more at www.auctionsamerica.com.

[CarlG]

Another article in Auctions America:

• 

• 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe/Trailer

Lot No. 4173

Auctioned on Saturday, September 1, 2012

Estimate: $150,000 - $225,000

Occasionally, a vehicle comes along that conveys the nostalgic allure of an entire era, propelling one back to a simpler, more genteel way of life. The astonishing rig that once belonged to marine products representative J.M. Keely is one of them. A combination of a 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Coupe and custom-built trailer, the unit served as both a sales platform and on-the-road accommodations as Keely plied his trade along the coastal towns of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.

The Model A Deluxe Coupe used to power this setup was modified with a heavily reinforced rear spring and cross member and uses the axle, hubs, brakes and wheels from a Ford AA truck unit. Its four-cylinder engine has two six-volt generators – one for the car and the other for twin storage batteries that power the trailer’s running, tail and interior lights. The trailer hitch is a “Glenn Curtiss Aero-Coupler,” designed by the aviation pioneer, also the maker of Curtiss Aerocar trailers.

Riding on a Ford AA truck rear axle, hub and wheels, the trailer’s brakes are vacuum-operated from a unit in the car’s engine compartment. A 110-volt “shore power” takes over for fans, lighting and the radio when the rig is at a trailer camp and can be run from a gas-powered generator, as well. The nautical-themed interior exhibits all the comforts of home with twin bunk beds, a hooded gas stove with exhaust fan, icebox, sink with running water, writing desk and cabinetry for the enamelware cookery and utensils. A 25-gallon tank with hand pump serves the unit, and an attachment allows "shore water" to be piped aboard.

The trailer’s exterior features include windows with Model A cranks and regulators with additional ventilation supplied from two brass-screened roof vents. All door hardware and locks came from a Model A. Canvas awnings provide shade, and the lovingly restored graphics depict the many companies Keely represented. The sale includes a boatload of these fishing supplies with lures, rods, floats, oars, small outboard motors, road maps and even letterhead that Keely used to reel in his Depression Era customers.

[Mike V. Florida]

I wonder where it is now?

[Mitch]

This one was at the MARC meet, it had a swivel rear wheel

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[CarlG]

At least it has Model A tail lights and a Tacoma Cream wheel.

[2manycars]

This is a small camper I built a few years ago. It pulled fine with the roadster.

[Mike V. Florida]

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[2manycars]

Do you suppose the cars were just held in place by parking brake and in gear? I dont see any chains or cables.

[BudP]

Photo looks staged: chains, clamps, stops, etc. may have been placed, fastened after picture was taken.

[CarlG]

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I am now the proud owner of a 1936 Mullins Red Cap Utility Trailer. I will eventually swap out the wheels for ones that match my pickup. I still have to wire my pickup for the trailer lights.

[DaWizard]

Hey Carl, nice buy, but did you notice, someone parked in your front yard, and almost knocked over your mail box doing it?

[Mitch]

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[Bill G]

Wow, the tail is going to wag the dog!

[Ray in La Mesa]

Being young & dumb, I cleared out a friend's shop of Model A parts using my '28 strechbed,(2' feet longer), p/u & similar trailer. I put 55 lbs of air in the rear tires & trailer tires and proceeded to load about 1500 lbs in the truck & 1000 lbs in the trailer. The drive home was about 5 miles & up about a 15 percent grade in one section. Second gear was fine till I hit the hill & grabbed first. The hill was about one mile long & by the time I got to the top at a stop sign I was doing about 5-6 mph. I didn't dare stop so drove right through it & on home. Nothing broke or quit so I was lucky but obviously won't do it again. The Model a has more power than you realize but wouldn't push it!

[Brad in Maryland]

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