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Heavy duty towing package 1964 Valiant
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Author:  phogroian [ Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:37 am ]
Post subject:  Heavy duty towing package 1964 Valiant
I like to tow a small trailer on my '64 and '65 Valiants for camping, Hershey/Carlisle visits, etc., but the only trailer hitch setups that I have gotten my hands on over the years are aftermarket kits made in the 60's and 70's that are class 1 and bolt to the bumper (bad) or to the trunk floor pan (worse).
I came across a 1964 Plymouth trailer brochure that shows a '64 Valiant 2-door hardtop pulling a monstrous motorhome-type trailer and stating that you could purchase a heavy duty, load equalizing, 3,000 (!) pound Valiant tow setup with a high capacity radiator, fan shroud, six-blade fan, heavy duty springs and shocks (front and rear), 3.23 Sure-Grip, and 70 amp hour battery with heat shield. Wow! Not that I want to pull 3,000 pounds, but I want that hitch! Has anyone actually seen this in real life?
Author:  Slanted Opinion [ Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
Interesting. I have been debating for quite a while whether I can tow my (2035 lb empty weight) popup with my '68 Dart.

The '68 had an optional tow package that was supposed to bring it up to 2000 lbs towing capacity. This included the following items:

-17", 7 Blade Fan
-Hood Seal
-3.23 axle
-Heavy duty front and rear suspension with sway bar
-Heavy duty flasher
-10" drum brakes
-High Capacity Radiator
-Wide Rim Wheels
-D70x14 Tires
-Automatic Transmission

Disc brakes, power brakes, Power Steering, Sure Grip and a 46 amp hour alternator were optional, but recommended.

I'm surprised that your older Valiant brochure states that it can tow 3000 lbs. I was under the impression that the older a-bodies were of lighter duty construction than the 67 and up models.

Now, the brochure photo I have includes a diagram for building a tow hitch that connects to the frame rails and the bumper, both. All the measurements are there. If you PM me your email address I will be happy to send you a copy.

PS: My popup trailer is equipped with electric brakes, and I am upgrading my Dart to front disc brakes, so I think I'm going to try it with light packing of the trailer.

-Mac
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Wed Apr 25, 2007 4:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
I'm surprised that your older Valiant brochure states that it can tow 3000 lbs.
So am I, mostly because in '64 the wheels and tires and brakes and springs and torsion bars and radiators and rear axles available were smaller! :shock:
Quote:
I was under the impression that the older a-bodies were of lighter duty construction than the 67 and up models.
Not correct. Some aspects of the '63-'66 cars are heavier-duty than the '67-up cars, and some aspects are the other way round, but neither group is heavier-duty all around than the other.

There are no P/Ns in the '64 or '65 FPCs for trailer hitches or related parts for A-, B-, C-, or D-body cars. There is no mention of such equipment at all in the '66 FPC except for some exhaust pipe and power steering system differences in C-bodies with trailer towing package. I'd surely be interested to see that '64 trailer brochure you found, Phogroian...any chance you can scan it in?
Author:  Slanted Opinion [ Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Bishko has a brochure called "Hitch your trailer to a star", that apparently gives towing packages for all the 65 Plymouths. I wonder if that is the manual under discussion. Here is the link:

http://www.autobooksbishko.com/item.cgi?id=4334

The only 3000 lb towing reference I've ever found for an "A" body was for a '76 Valiant that was also used for police packages. Apparently there was extensive reinforcements in critical stress areas.

BTW - Many popup campers, as well as some of the A-frame campers, fiberglass campers, and the teardrops, are well under 2000 lbs. If I decide that the Dart isn't comfortable pulling my big popup I will trade for something lighter... like this:
http://www.tab-rv.com/story/index.php
:D

-Mac
Author:  ceej [ Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
My 74 came to me with an equalizing hitch and master cylinder activated trailer brake. It had a really lousy cruise control as well. The cruise and the trailer brake system came off right away. The hard line that ran from the master cylinder to the trailer brake controller was leaking due to corrosion. I think it's still floating around somewhere in the shop.

I went to pull the hitch, and discovered that it had been "Reinforced" to the rear subframe by the expediency of a barnyard stick welding job. Soooo it remains. The PO had made a custom flap in the license plate for the receiver.

Since Gas is getting a bit pricey this season, my wife and I have decided to pull the boat up to the lake and tent camp instead of firing up the Pace Arrow for 6 mpg. The choice is to use the Valiant, or my '64 C-10. The Valiant get's better mileage and has more power, but it's firewood capacity is somewhat limited. That, and she thinks the Valiant is icky. A guy's got to have hooptie toys doesn't he? :D

The hitch on the valiant is a class three job. This on a car with a 1bbl? Well, I suppose the bottom end grunt was pretty good.... The 2.76's couldn't have helped though!

CJ
Author:  sixpar [ Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ceej, You can borrow my teardrop trailer. :P
(please pardon the hijack)
Paul
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