I have seen other cars pulling a small camper trailer like an old Shasta. I have my eye on a 14 ft 50's Shasta that is close to where I live. I would think the Olds would tow it since it only weighs about 1800lbs. Has anyone towed something like this and where would I find or modify a hitch to attach to the frame?

 

I would think it will tow it, my dad towed a similar trailer when we were kids with a 64 Plymouth, 318/auto. As far as a hitch, Uhaul stores used to fab and install them or perhaps a welding shop.

 

If it is automatic DO add a transmission cooler. DON'T ask me how I found this out.

Roger.

 

If it is a jetaway it is setup for a transmission cooler....Tedd

 

I'm not sure all uhauls will fab a hitch for you. Where are located because? They have a place in Tempe, AZ that would do it. Otherwise go to a fab/welding shop to have them make one. A trans cooler and rear air shocks are a must. When I put one on the 71 to tow my 66 on a dolly I found a universal that was wide enough and didn't hang too low. (Had to call manufacturer for the specs) Then I just drilled holes and bolted it on. I wish I would have added the air shocks but it handled towing well.

 

Spend extra dollars and get the anti-sway option for the hitch. Without one if the trailer should start to sway back and forth it becomes hard to control and dangerous.

Hopefully you are the exception and have lots of towing experience and top notch equipment but I-5 in my area of SW Washington is littered every summer with wrecked camper trailers generally being pulled by cars with insufficient bumper hitches including no anti sway and independent braking on the trailers that depends on slowing down to set trailer brakes. Its the steep downhills or strong sidewinds that set up the swaying but poor equipment and lack of experience that turn swaying into wreckage and injuries.

For my buck there is nothing as good as having the trailer brake hooked to the car and integrated with car braking or at least a handle/switch in the car to activate electric brakes on trailer to help slow things down.
Jerry

 

I have been towing car trailers, driving motorhomes while towing cars and boats and also towing motorcycle trailers. I could tell a few sway stories. The trans cooler, elect brakes etc and all that was mentioned was on my list. This is just a small Shasta 14' camper so it only weighs about 1800 lbs. Looks just like the one in this pic.

 

Shouldn't be a problem, my '87 fwd Olds 88 copes well with a 1700lb trailerhome over here.

Roger.