The Ford Barn

Chris28SC · 03-05-2026, 08:16 AM

I have a tow bar that I got with my Model A. It is my understanding that my great uncle used it to tow from Tennessee to California and then back to Virginia in the late 50’s and early 60’s. It bolts to the front axle and drag link and effectively steers the car like a hay wagon. I’m not sure how popular these were, but I have not been able to find any information online. I have a couple trailers so I have no interest in using. Just sharing.

Ordsgt · 03-05-2026, 09:21 AM

Any chance you could post pictures of what you have. I am trying to make up a rig to tow a Model A running chassis behind my Model A and am having problems with the steering doing what ever it wants. I am told there is not enough weight on the chassis to self steer. Right now when I take the cars to display I have to trailer the chassis and take it there with my truck return home and get my Model A and go to the display then reversing everything to return. Be much easier to tow with my A. Pictures would help me alter my tow rig

Big hammer · 03-05-2026, 09:53 AM

I flat towed my 31 chassis and the only issue I had was backing up, towing down the road I watched the steering wheel turn left when I turned left and right when I turned right ! Your chassis has to be in good drivable shape ! I tried tying the steering solid , that caused the chassis front tires to slide sideways . My homemade tow bar mounted to the front axle near the spring perches so not to bend the axle . When I next towed it the body was mounted to the chassis but it wouldn’t steer at first , I had to jack the frontend up and hit the grease fittings with grease and exercise the steering gear ! This happened over a too long of a period of time, the restoration/ rustoration took me several years. Before I towed it with the body on the chassis I thought it now looks more like a complete car so I contacted the state police and asked if I need it licensed to tow and the officer said why not rent a trailer, I said because I have this homemade tow bar , he said well he wouldn’t give me a ticket :-)

1928Mik · 03-05-2026, 10:09 AM

BTW I have a tow bar that attaches to the bumper brackets I'll sell cheap if anyone is interested. Don't use it on a car without an engine tho, like mentioned above, it won't self-steer.

100_0179.jpg

Swingle · 03-05-2026, 10:24 AM

Have used the axle mounted tow bar several times, they work very good. Have never been a fan of the bumper mounted tow bars, fear of the bumper getting pulled off, and losing the car.

When my dad would pull his Model A with a tow bar, he would always put the Model A in 2nd or 3rd gear (never 1st), and then engage the clutch by chaining it down from underneath. The reason for this is to make sure that the transmissions countershaft spins, so it will splash oil to lubricate the bearings.

If you leave the car in neutral, the main shaft spins without the countershaft slinging the oil, which could run your bearings dry.

katy · 03-05-2026, 10:53 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Years ago we towed a Model A w/a tow bar that clamped onto the front axle. We used my buddy's '47 or '48 pickup for towing. I rode in the car for 5 or 6 miles to be sure it followed w/out problems. Then, while we were going I got out of the car on the RH side, onto the running board, over the fender, bumper, tailgate, into the box, reached around, opened the door and got in the truck. Buddy looked at me w/a puzzeled look and asked: "where in the heck did you come from?" We had a good laugh and continued the next 60 miles or so back home. Them were the "good old days".

Trapdoor2 · 03-05-2026, 12:33 PM

One of my earliest memories is from when the family moved from Norfolk, VA to San Diego. Had to be ~1960-61. All I remember is that I was in the back of the Mercury station wagon and suddenly the '29 Roadster pickup we were towing tried to climb into the back seat with me. I can see the "A" of the towbar poking straight up...and Dad using his entire 20+yr. USN vocabulary at white heat.

I wish my brother hadn't sold that A when Dad gave it to him. Typical 50s hot-rod but I loved riding in it.

Chris28SC · 03-05-2026, 12:58 PM

Sorry. Thought I had attached the photos. Rookie mistake.

Chris28SC · 03-05-2026, 01:46 PM

Trapdoor2 - my cousin says she remembers towing it back to Norfolk from Lemoore, California in ‘63 when my uncle retired from the Navy. They towed it with a station wagon and the dog had to ride in the Model A because there was no room in the station wagon. Small world.

Trapdoor2 · 03-05-2026, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris28SC

Trapdoor2 - my cousin says she remembers towing it back to Norfolk from Lemoore, California in ‘63 when my uncle retired from the Navy. They towed it with a station wagon and the dog had to ride in the Model A because there was no room in the station wagon. Small world.

How cool is that?!? Dad got Xferred to Alabama in '65, so the A stayed in San Diego and went to my eldest brother...who by that time, hated it (he'd rebuilt the Columbia 2-speed rear end so often, he could do it in his sleep). Within a week, he'd traded it for a Hemi powered muscle car. I often wonder what happened to it. Dad had altered the body by cutting off the square back and adding a section of roof (off of a Hudson, IIRC) giving it a rounded back...and more leg room. It also had a '32 grill shell, V8 wheels, juice brakes, etc.

Y-Blockhead · 03-05-2026, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trapdoor2

How cool is that?!? Dad got Xferred to Alabama in '65, so the A stayed in San Diego and went to my eldest brother...who by that time, hated it (he'd rebuilt the Columbia 2-speed rear end so often, he could do it in his sleep). Within a week, he'd traded it for a Hemi powered muscle car. I often wonder what happened to it. Dad had altered the body by cutting off the square back and adding a section of roof (off of a Hudson, IIRC) giving it a rounded back...and more leg room. It also had a '32 grill shell, V8 wheels, juice brakes, etc.

I bet he wishes he still had that Hemi powered muscle car. Big bucks today!

CarlG · 03-07-2026, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swingle

... Have never been a fan of the bumper mounted tow bars, fear of the bumper getting pulled off, and losing the car...

Been there, done that!

ronn · 03-10-2026, 04:12 AM

I towed a coupe from PA poconos to NJ many yrs ago with a flat tow bar mounted to the bumper. Used an old uhaul box truck with a straight 6 and had trouble making over 50 mph. It had no problem towing straight. as mentioned, somethings up with your chassis if it wont steer.

katy · 03-10-2026, 10:29 AM

Years ago we towed many cars w/a towbar clamped onto the front bumper and never had any problems w/that setup.
I once towed a VW van w/a tow bar, it didn't want to follow around corners, a PO had overtightened the steering box. Loosening off the steering box adjustment solved the problem.

03-05-2026, 08:16 AM	#1
Chris28SC Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2026 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 9	Model A Tow Bar I have a tow bar that I got with my Model A. It is my understanding that my great uncle used it to tow from Tennessee to California and then back to Virginia in the late 50’s and early 60’s. It bolts to the front axle and drag link and effectively steers the car like a hay wagon. I’m not sure how popular these were, but I have not been able to find any information online. I have a couple trailers so I have no interest in using. Just sharing.

03-05-2026, 09:21 AM	#2
Ordsgt Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Yorktown Virginia Posts: 263	Re: Model A Tow Bar Any chance you could post pictures of what you have. I am trying to make up a rig to tow a Model A running chassis behind my Model A and am having problems with the steering doing what ever it wants. I am told there is not enough weight on the chassis to self steer. Right now when I take the cars to display I have to trailer the chassis and take it there with my truck return home and get my Model A and go to the display then reversing everything to return. Be much easier to tow with my A. Pictures would help me alter my tow rig

03-05-2026, 09:53 AM	#3
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,631	Re: Model A Tow Bar I flat towed my 31 chassis and the only issue I had was backing up, towing down the road I watched the steering wheel turn left when I turned left and right when I turned right ! Your chassis has to be in good drivable shape ! I tried tying the steering solid , that caused the chassis front tires to slide sideways . My homemade tow bar mounted to the front axle near the spring perches so not to bend the axle . When I next towed it the body was mounted to the chassis but it wouldn’t steer at first , I had to jack the frontend up and hit the grease fittings with grease and exercise the steering gear ! This happened over a too long of a period of time, the restoration/ rustoration took me several years. Before I towed it with the body on the chassis I thought it now looks more like a complete car so I contacted the state police and asked if I need it licensed to tow and the officer said why not rent a trailer, I said because I have this homemade tow bar , he said well he wouldn’t give me a ticket :-) __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

03-05-2026, 10:09 AM	#4
1928Mik Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Zanesville Ohio USA Posts: 311	Re: Model A Tow Bar BTW I have a tow bar that attaches to the bumper brackets I'll sell cheap if anyone is interested. Don't use it on a car without an engine tho, like mentioned above, it won't self-steer. 100_0179.jpg __________________ 1928 Niagara Blue Phaeton 1972 Olds 442 Convertible 455 5 speed Restomod 1976 MGB -Life's Too Short To Drive Boring Cars-

03-05-2026, 10:24 AM	#5
Swingle Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 57	Re: Model A Tow Bar Have used the axle mounted tow bar several times, they work very good. Have never been a fan of the bumper mounted tow bars, fear of the bumper getting pulled off, and losing the car. When my dad would pull his Model A with a tow bar, he would always put the Model A in 2nd or 3rd gear (never 1st), and then engage the clutch by chaining it down from underneath. The reason for this is to make sure that the transmissions countershaft spins, so it will splash oil to lubricate the bearings. If you leave the car in neutral, the main shaft spins without the countershaft slinging the oil, which could run your bearings dry.

03-05-2026, 10:53 AM	#6
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 6,071	Re: Model A Tow Bar Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Years ago we towed a Model A w/a tow bar that clamped onto the front axle. We used my buddy's '47 or '48 pickup for towing. I rode in the car for 5 or 6 miles to be sure it followed w/out problems. Then, while we were going I got out of the car on the RH side, onto the running board, over the fender, bumper, tailgate, into the box, reached around, opened the door and got in the truck. Buddy looked at me w/a puzzeled look and asked: "where in the heck did you come from?" We had a good laugh and continued the next 60 miles or so back home. Them were the "good old days". __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn! Last edited by katy; 03-05-2026 at 10:54 AM. Reason: Correction

03-05-2026, 12:33 PM	#7
Trapdoor2 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2025 Location: The Beach, South Carolina Posts: 195	Re: Model A Tow Bar One of my earliest memories is from when the family moved from Norfolk, VA to San Diego. Had to be ~1960-61. All I remember is that I was in the back of the Mercury station wagon and suddenly the '29 Roadster pickup we were towing tried to climb into the back seat with me. I can see the "A" of the towbar poking straight up...and Dad using his entire 20+yr. USN vocabulary at white heat. I wish my brother hadn't sold that A when Dad gave it to him. Typical 50s hot-rod but I loved riding in it. __________________ '31 Ford Deluxe Coupe "The Green Hornet"

03-05-2026, 01:46 PM	#9
Chris28SC Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2026 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 9	Re: Model A Tow Bar Trapdoor2 - my cousin says she remembers towing it back to Norfolk from Lemoore, California in ‘63 when my uncle retired from the Navy. They towed it with a station wagon and the dog had to ride in the Model A because there was no room in the station wagon. Small world.

03-10-2026, 04:12 AM	#13
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 7,873	Re: Model A Tow Bar I towed a coupe from PA poconos to NJ many yrs ago with a flat tow bar mounted to the bumper. Used an old uhaul box truck with a straight 6 and had trouble making over 50 mph. It had no problem towing straight. as mentioned, somethings up with your chassis if it wont steer.

03-10-2026, 10:29 AM	#14
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 6,071	Re: Model A Tow Bar Years ago we towed many cars w/a towbar clamped onto the front bumper and never had any problems w/that setup. I once towed a VW van w/a tow bar, it didn't want to follow around corners, a PO had overtightened the steering box. Loosening off the steering box adjustment solved the problem. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!