Trailer Tow Package

[unionjack1940]

I saw that someone had started this topic a couple years ago. Anyone besides me have the A35 trailer tow package on their bird? There is only 14 of us in the world haha

[redline337]

Do you have pictures? I had a hitch on my Satellite (i still have it, just not on the car right now). It looks well made. It bolts through the bumper and the trunk floor. I'm pretty sure it was not original, but I'm curious what the factory option looks like.

[unionjack1940]

No, when I purchased the car in 2011, it wasn't on there. Everyone asks me at Carlisle each year where it is and start looking, but I don't know what they looked like or where I can find one.

[dangina]

I use to have one on my 71 satellite, sold the car with it I almost bought one a couple years ago from a guy who had one he was selling from his car, it attaches to rear bumper, said if i didn't have the proper bumper holes I could always drill them out, I searched my old emails and I found the pics:

[unionjack1940]

awesome photos!!! THANKS!

[rradar71]

awesome photos!!! THANKS!

You're welcome. Yeah, spent half a day getting box and packing it up, then nothing.

[rradar71]

I don't think the hitch would fit with the exhaust the way it was. I cut out the valance and it probably would fit now.

[redline337]

Here's a photo of mine. One piece bolts through the trunk floor (the plates go inside the trunk for support), and the other bolts through two of the rear bumper mounting holes and onto the front piece. It looks like a pretty sturdy design.

[rradar71]

Looking at the length of those bolts, it must go through something besides the trunk floor. On the one that I had, the bolt went inside the frame {such as it is). If your's ever goes back on, I would turn that center bolt around. An otherwise small rear-ender might drive it into the bottom of the gas tank.

[unionjack1940]

Boy, I would love to find one of those. Are yours to a 71 RR as well?

[redline337]

It's been a few years since I took it off, and my car is out getting painted so I can't look, but I think it bolts through the rear frame rails and into the trunk. That's why the bolts are so long. I think I just put the bolt back in the hole after I pulled the rear piece off, so it probably was in the other direction. I think the rear bar goes under the front bar as well, it just wouldn't sit for a picture that way. I would think any of the hitches off a 71 would fit any other 71s.

[unionjack1940]

Anyone know where to start this search for a trailer hitch for my car? Ebay, forums? How would I choose the right one?

[rradar71]

From what I read, the tow package included a trany cooler and sure grip rear, not a hitch. Mine was a draw tite hitch installed at dealer. I took my hitch out of the shipping box I made, got tired of storing it and took it to scrapyard.

[unionjack1940]

From what I read, the tow package included a trany cooler and sure grip rear, not a hitch. Mine was a draw tite hitch installed at dealer. I took my hitch out of the shipping box I made, got tired of storing it and took it to scrapyard.

NO! haha That's too bad, I'm actively looking to buy one that would be period correct for the car. You are correct about the package, from what I have researched it was not dealer installed, like many on here have already said. Such a hassle trying to find one!

[rradar71]

I think you mean, not factory installed. The hitch on my Satellite was dealer installed, then again, I wasn't watching them install it. They could have taken it to a hitch shop and had them do it. This brings up another point. Of those handful of Road Runners with the tow package, I wonder how many actually had a hitch installed and of those, there were probably different brands of hitches. Does not having a hitch on your car make it any less rare?