Free-wheeling hubs-old style towing

Kris Kristofferson · 06-09-2011, 09:43 AM

Hey guys,
My car is close to ready to get some racing in this year. I really don't want to drive it to the track anymore and I might not be able to get insurance on the car due to roll cage etc...

I am bucks down right now so I can't afford to buy a decent open car trailer.
I recall back in the days people used to "flat tow" their cars. They had a "free wheeling hubs" attached to a suitable tow vehicle with a tow bar.

I can't seem to find these hubs anymore, but after talking to some people I think I could make some. I would remove a front drum application off a GM A-body (to get the hubs) and make some mounting plates (1/2 steel). I would also construct some type of tow bar...

I would need to find a small thin tire that would act as the wheels for the hub..I also don't have a e-brake anymore due to c-clip elims install..

Hopefully there are some guys out there who did this back in the day and can give me some advice..
Thanks,
Kris

mike natoli · 06-09-2011, 10:43 AM

I may have two sets in my ex mother in laws garage. For Large bolt pattern chrysler , ford also have tow bar. Make me a reasonable offer and pay for shipping. These are cool because they have one hole bored to make R&R easy you just have to drill a hole into the tow wheels you will be using.
Mike

Kris Kristofferson · 06-09-2011, 12:41 PM

Cool! I have the GM 4.75 bolt pattern with 1/2 studs. Can I assume the "large" Chrysler pattern is 4.5? Could I just drill out the holes a addition 1/4 inch to make them work?

If so, I am very interested!

mike natoli · 06-09-2011, 01:22 PM

no i don't think they will work out for you. I'd rather see you find the 4.75 bolt pattern. I'd hate to hear that you had a towing mishap. There out there keep looking.
Mike

Kris Kristofferson · 06-09-2011, 02:47 PM

Thanks Mike,
I found a old post on here from a few years ago with a guy (Ronnie Hamlin) who might have some for sale...I will e-mail him and see..OR I can make them myself. I know of a front wheel drum setup in a pick-a-part yard.
KP

henrys57wagon · 07-07-2011, 08:27 PM

I used those for years on my different stockers before I got a trailer, I just sold them this spring. We have e brakes on the Nova and my 57 wagon with C clip eliminators.

06-09-2011, 09:43 AM	#1
Kris Kristofferson Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ont Posts: 68 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Free-wheeling hubs-old style towing Hey guys, My car is close to ready to get some racing in this year. I really don't want to drive it to the track anymore and I might not be able to get insurance on the car due to roll cage etc... I am bucks down right now so I can't afford to buy a decent open car trailer. I recall back in the days people used to "flat tow" their cars. They had a "free wheeling hubs" attached to a suitable tow vehicle with a tow bar. I can't seem to find these hubs anymore, but after talking to some people I think I could make some. I would remove a front drum application off a GM A-body (to get the hubs) and make some mounting plates (1/2 steel). I would also construct some type of tow bar... I would need to find a small thin tire that would act as the wheels for the hub..I also don't have a e-brake anymore due to c-clip elims install.. Hopefully there are some guys out there who did this back in the day and can give me some advice.. Thanks, Kris __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2qQX4TDTVU

06-09-2011, 10:43 AM	#2
mike natoli Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Valley Stream mini Gasoline Alley & Div I Posts: 100 Likes: 25 Liked 52 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Free-wheeling hubs-old style towing I may have two sets in my ex mother in laws garage. For Large bolt pattern chrysler , ford also have tow bar. Make me a reasonable offer and pay for shipping. These are cool because they have one hole bored to make R&R easy you just have to drill a hole into the tow wheels you will be using. Mike

06-09-2011, 12:41 PM	#3
Kris Kristofferson Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ont Posts: 68 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Free-wheeling hubs-old style towing Cool! I have the GM 4.75 bolt pattern with 1/2 studs. Can I assume the "large" Chrysler pattern is 4.5? Could I just drill out the holes a addition 1/4 inch to make them work? If so, I am very interested! __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2qQX4TDTVU

06-09-2011, 01:22 PM	#4
mike natoli Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Valley Stream mini Gasoline Alley & Div I Posts: 100 Likes: 25 Liked 52 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Free-wheeling hubs-old style towing no i don't think they will work out for you. I'd rather see you find the 4.75 bolt pattern. I'd hate to hear that you had a towing mishap. There out there keep looking. Mike

06-09-2011, 02:47 PM	#5
Kris Kristofferson Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ont Posts: 68 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Free-wheeling hubs-old style towing Thanks Mike, I found a old post on here from a few years ago with a guy (Ronnie Hamlin) who might have some for sale...I will e-mail him and see..OR I can make them myself. I know of a front wheel drum setup in a pick-a-part yard. KP __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2qQX4TDTVU Last edited by Kris Kristofferson; 06-09-2011 at 03:59 PM.

07-07-2011, 08:27 PM	#6
henrys57wagon Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Carleton Place, On. Canada Posts: 107 Likes: 5 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Free-wheeling hubs-old style towing I used those for years on my different stockers before I got a trailer, I just sold them this spring. We have e brakes on the Nova and my 57 wagon with C clip eliminators. __________________ old 1608 stock racer Last edited by henrys57wagon; 07-07-2011 at 08:30 PM.