Trailer Hitch

[Russell Petry]

Hi, everyone!

I am going to pull my 400 engine and replace it with a rebuilt 440 in my 77NYB. I am a mechanic and know how to do this. My question is about trailer hitches. I know that these cars are rated for 7,000 towing capacity and 1,000 tongue weight. Has anyone found a trailer hitch that was made for these cars? I see them for about every other make in 1977 but not Chrysler.

Thanks in advance,

Russ

 

[Big_John]

Hi, everyone!

I am going to pull my 400 engine and replace it with a rebuilt 440 in my 77NYB. I am a mechanic and know how to do this. My question is about trailer hitches. I know that these cars are rated for 7,000 towing capacity and 1,000 tongue weight. Has anyone found a trailer hitch that was made for these cars? I see them for about every other make in 1977 but not Chrysler.

Thanks in advance,

Russ

I think the question that needs to be asked is how much weight do you plan to tow? For the heavy stuff, you need to go to a Class III hitch.

I used various C-bodies over the years as tow cars for race car trailers with no problems. Hitches used to be available, but not for years. So, find one used or have one made.

 

[Russell Petry]

I think the question that needs to be asked is how much weight do you plan to tow? For the heavy stuff, you need to go to a Class III hitch.

I used various C-bodies over the years as tow cars for race car trailers with no problems. Hitches used to be available, but not for years. So, find one used or have one made.

Thanks for the information. I don't know yet, but looking for a travel trailer that weighs around 5k to 6k tops. At what point would you recommend a class III hitch?

 

[Snotty]

I've had hitches installed on two of my past Mopars. Both times I went to U-Haul and had them custom make them. They do good work.

 

[Big_John]

Thanks for the information. I don't know yet, but looking for a travel trailer that weighs around 5k to 6k tops. At what point would you recommend a class III hitch?

Class III is for everything over 3000lbs. Quite frankly, I'd look at one even if I was towing 2000 lbs. It's just a better hitch and you have more flexibility. For example, I had my weight distribution hitch setup with the bars etc. and then I had a simple 1 7/8" ball on a piece of 2" tube that I could slip in for a utility trailer.

At 6k, you want about 600lbs tongue weight. I'd suggest looking at weight distribution hitch setups to go along with the Class III hitch.

Do I Need a Weight Distribution Hitch? (What It Is, How It Works & More)

Hitch classes: Trailer Hitch Classes: The Ultimate Guide & How To Choose

 

[Russell Petry]

Class III is for everything over 3000lbs. Quite frankly, I'd look at one even if I was towing 2000 lbs. It's just a better hitch and you have more flexibility. For example, I had my weight distribution hitch setup with the bars etc. and then I had a simple 1 7/8" ball on a piece of 2" tube that I could slip in for a utility trailer.

At 6k, you want about 600lbs tongue weight. I'd suggest looking at weight distribution hitch setups to go along with the Class III hitch.

Do I Need a Weight Distribution Hitch? (What It Is, How It Works & More)

Hitch classes: Trailer Hitch Classes: The Ultimate Guide & How To Choose

Excellent! Thank you for the information. I'm hoping to get an old Airstream that I can tow behind it on trips. I think that would be a lot of fun. Now to find a hitch, I might need to have one custom made.

 

[CBODY67]

Seems like there was a recent thread on load-equalizing Cless III hitches on here? A good bit more involved than just bolting something to the rear bumper! Best to plan for MORE weight than less, generally.

DO make sure your 440 replacement motor has hard valve seats in it, for best durability of the cyl heads in that HD Towing use.

CBODY67

 

[Russell Petry]

Seems like there was a recent thread on load-equalizing Cless III hitches on here? A good bit more involved than just bolting something to the rear bumper! Best to plan for MORE weight than less, generally.

DO make sure your 440 replacement motor has hard valve seats in it, for best durability of the cyl heads in that HD Towing use.

CBODY67

Thank you for that tip. I will do another search to see if those hitches show up somewhere. On the 440 replacement, I am rebuilding it myself, this will be the second one I have rebuilt. I will definitely be doing it up right with a few minor improvements! I will post on that rebuild when it is done. Thanks again.