The Ford Barn

Karl · 01-05-2016, 04:01 AM

Interesting article in the V8 times about trailers. The author seemed to feel that the rod brakes on the early V8's weren't up to towing a trailer. My 34 brakes are fantastic and I suspect would be ok to tow a trailer and if I could find a period trailer I would be very tempted to purchase it . I would be interested in what Lawrie thinks as he had towed his trailer thousands of miles with his 33. Karl

colin1928 · 01-05-2016, 04:46 AM

I do not think Lawrie uses brakes just pulls the chute

Marv · 01-05-2016, 07:52 AM

If i were going to pull a trailer with ANY CAR I WOULD HAVE A TRAILER WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES with the master cylinder in the tongue. Just my opinion. I have built them and theyh work fine.

51 MERC-CT · 01-05-2016, 08:05 AM

Remember pulling a trailer with my '36, was probably 1000lb. max.
And with just a bumper mounted trailer ball.
Probably wouldn't do it today without a trailer brake and sufficient trailer hitch.

FlatheadTed · 01-05-2016, 12:08 PM

Lawry uses a electric brake of the tail light ,I considered the same my self ,Ted

Admiral · 01-05-2016, 12:23 PM

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I see no reason why properly maintained and adjusted mechanical brakes wouldn't work just as well as hydraulics in these old Fords. When bushings and clevis pins are worn out, shoes not properly arced and brake rods bent all kinds of issues can surface.

That being said, if I were to do any trailer towing with my '36 (I actually am thinking about building a teardrop camper) it would damn well have a proper hitch, the trailer would be light and have some sort of supplemental brakes. The mechanicals in my car work just fine, but I wouldn't think about pushing them too hard.

Lawrie · 01-05-2016, 03:54 PM

My caravan weighs 760KGs empty.
I shouldn,t be letting all these secrets out.
I have two 12 volt batteries in the caravan to work the lights and fridge,and the electric brakes, these batteries are kept charged by a 40 amp alternator driven off one of the wheels on the caravan via a vee belt.
My 33 i still 6v pos earth and my van is 12 neg earth, I run a 12v pos and neg feed from the caravan into the 33,it runs my UHF,and most importantly the electric brake controller ,this is activated by extra brake light with that also works on 12v.
When building the caravan,I knew right from the start I needed electric brakes on it,
I have a modern Tekonsha primus brake controller in the 33,
I towed a smaller camper(350kgs loaded) I made before without brakes ,both in the 33 and also my 28 A,this was unbaked.
Lawrie

Pete · 01-05-2016, 04:51 PM

3500 lb trailer (total). Electric brakes with carbon fiber lining.
Tow car has 4 wheel discs and 8 inch rubber all around.
Will tow at 70 where legal.

Karl · 01-05-2016, 05:08 PM

Thanks for the secrets Lawrie. Having a period caravan to tow around would be fantastic !

01-05-2016, 04:01 AM	#1
Karl Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manawatu, New Zealand Posts: 1,416	Towing a Trailer with an early V8 Interesting article in the V8 times about trailers. The author seemed to feel that the rod brakes on the early V8's weren't up to towing a trailer. My 34 brakes are fantastic and I suspect would be ok to tow a trailer and if I could find a period trailer I would be very tempted to purchase it . I would be interested in what Lawrie thinks as he had towed his trailer thousands of miles with his 33. Karl

01-05-2016, 04:46 AM	#2
colin1928 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Australa Melbourne Posts: 878	Re: Towing a Trailer with an early V8 I do not think Lawrie uses brakes just pulls the chute

01-05-2016, 07:52 AM	#3
Marv Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 875	Re: Towing a Trailer with an early V8 If i were going to pull a trailer with ANY CAR I WOULD HAVE A TRAILER WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES with the master cylinder in the tongue. Just my opinion. I have built them and theyh work fine.

01-05-2016, 08:05 AM	#4
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Towing a Trailer with an early V8 Remember pulling a trailer with my '36, was probably 1000lb. max. And with just a bumper mounted trailer ball. Probably wouldn't do it today without a trailer brake and sufficient trailer hitch. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

01-05-2016, 12:08 PM	#5
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,705	Re: Towing a Trailer with an early V8 Lawry uses a electric brake of the tail light ,I considered the same my self ,Ted __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,

01-05-2016, 12:23 PM	#6
Admiral Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Oakland County, Michigan Posts: 562	Re: Towing a Trailer with an early V8 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I see no reason why properly maintained and adjusted mechanical brakes wouldn't work just as well as hydraulics in these old Fords. When bushings and clevis pins are worn out, shoes not properly arced and brake rods bent all kinds of issues can surface. That being said, if I were to do any trailer towing with my '36 (I actually am thinking about building a teardrop camper) it would damn well have a proper hitch, the trailer would be light and have some sort of supplemental brakes. The mechanicals in my car work just fine, but I wouldn't think about pushing them too hard.

01-05-2016, 03:54 PM	#7
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,216	Re: Towing a Trailer with an early V8 My caravan weighs 760KGs empty. I shouldn,t be letting all these secrets out. I have two 12 volt batteries in the caravan to work the lights and fridge,and the electric brakes, these batteries are kept charged by a 40 amp alternator driven off one of the wheels on the caravan via a vee belt. My 33 i still 6v pos earth and my van is 12 neg earth, I run a 12v pos and neg feed from the caravan into the 33,it runs my UHF,and most importantly the electric brake controller ,this is activated by extra brake light with that also works on 12v. When building the caravan,I knew right from the start I needed electric brakes on it, I have a modern Tekonsha primus brake controller in the 33, I towed a smaller camper(350kgs loaded) I made before without brakes ,both in the 33 and also my 28 A,this was unbaked. Lawrie

01-05-2016, 05:08 PM	#9
Karl Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manawatu, New Zealand Posts: 1,416	Re: Towing a Trailer with an early V8 Thanks for the secrets Lawrie. Having a period caravan to tow around would be fantastic !