Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Funny, Solex67 is looking for a trailer for his Roadster, and I'm looking to tow a trailer with my Roadster. Ofcourse my cars condition is just a step above a daily driver.

I've got an antique travel trailer, weighs about 500lbs, and I'd like to tow it around on a few trips. Question is, does anybody know if I'm out of my gourd or what? It seems like the first gear is pretty low, and she seems to have plenty of power. I noticed a Roadster on ebay with a tent trailer, the ad said it had a factory hitch. Anybody know if this really was an option? Anybody ever tow anything with your Roadster? Some of this info may very well be located in an owners manual, which I don't have.

Any help out there? Heck, anybody have one of those factory hitches? Maybe you could send me a picture and a few dimensions.

Thanks, Joe

There were no factory hitches. Some of the aftermarket hitch companies made a hitch for the Roadster, but they required drilling into the frame and into the bumper. They were pretty weak since the bumpers are glorified pieces of trim. All that having been said, a guy I knew in college towed a big Catamaran with his Roadster. He towed it pretty long distances and never had any problems.

I have been giving the hitch idea some thought as well. I don't like "fixed" hitches as I tend to beat my shins up on them. The receiver type hitches are much more attractive. A high school buddy had a receiver hitch for his roadster. He promised it to me, but seems to have lost it.

It would be easy enough to fabricate a receiver hitch if you have access to a plasma cutter and a welder. The end plates would use the stock bumper mounts - just measure the holes and have the plates drop down enough to support the bar behind the backup light while clearing the exhaust and gas tank. The center bumper mount (used through 68 - but not on 69 and 70 iirc) could also be employed for a center support. The nice thing about a receiver hitch is that it would be "invisible" with the ball mount removed. When I have time and money, I will pursue the design and make one myself.

My Roadster came with a fixed hitch. How soon do you need the photos?

I'm still unpacking after the move and working on my my wife's brakes that are "grinding." She was calling it a "squeek." A clear case of "English 2nd Language" - <sigh>.

Anonymous wrote:my god you are still random....isn't english your 2nd language?

Two words,... "Serenity Prayer." Know it; live it. <sigh>

If you need to know, "English" (with a capital "E") is my 1st. I actually know 2 1/2 languages. French is the 1/2. As I we can see your English is in dire, sadly worthy of admonishment by a 2nd grader.

Admit it! Your just jelous of me... Come on, give me hug. I forgive you.

You know, I was amazed to see what looked like a racial slur in this forum. As far as I know, you can be black, white, red, yellow, blue, green and speak whatever language you like as long you speak Datsun Roadster.

Minh decided to answer with grace and dignity instead of returning the ludicrous sentiment. My hat is off to you Minh. You have class, and that always matters more than what language you speak anyway.

Andrew Murphy
1967.5 2000 SRL311-00489

Minh, thanks for the photo offer. There is no big hurry on my end. I've still got to fit some electric brakes to my trailer before I attempt to tow it with the Roadster. It seems like it might be foolish to rely on my Roadster brakes alone.

I also like the idea of a hidden hitch as well. I am probably going to fabricate up whatever I end up with in the end anyway. At this point I'm gathering as much info as possible.

Any opinions on adjustable air or gas shocks in the rear, that I could stiffen up when I'm towing. For that matter, I wonder if I can even find some that will fit?

If you keep the tongue weight light enough, you won't need the boost that the stronger shocks can provide. If you are really concerned about it, check out the air shocks for the early Datsun trucks. They may be getting tough to find now, but they have the same mounting and collapsed length as the Roadster - just a little longer free length. That being the case, they should work just fine.

If you want to discuss the design of a receiver hitch, I would be happy to give you more details on what I was envisioning!

Oh, and regarding the language side bar, my grandfather always told everyone that he spoke 3 languages - profanity, slang and very poor English!

Jibah,

Cool. I will be able to snatch the photos for ya this weekend. If I can get the DSL and PC up this weekend too I will post them up.

Andrew,.. Thanks. It is to hard to really insult someone when you know nothing of em, so this can't faze me. Seeing a person's motivation and seeing that it is part of his character is obvious. It's not our fault this person has an inability to read "between" the lines.

Minh,

I know what you mean. Being an anonymous poster gives someone the ability to say things without taking any responsibility for them. I have had my own run ins with "guest" users and I did not behave nearly as well as you did.

Personally, I could care less what people in this forum think of me as this is not a personal place which is why I am often so disappointed when people make personal remarks here.

I find it amazing that anyone would waste their time making such remarks- you clearly are not offended and everyone I know of that has met you thinks highly of you and your devotion to the cars.

I doubt if "guest" has the same respect from others.


Andrew Murphy
SRL311-00489

Thanks again... Andrew.

After his last comment I believe it boils down to an expectation versus what is received matter. Basically my written style can not be digested because it is out of norm of what he is used too and demands of all that is around him. Narcissistic really - everyone else must be wrong if he disagrees. Not his fault at all really, He hasn't attained the wisdom yet to let go what annoys him and understand that people are just plain different.

So young... so angry... curses to that Rap music.

For the person who is annoyed. I will do you a favor. Whenever you don't understand, I will rewrite everything to in the Nationally understood 7th to 8th grade writting prose that most of our technical materials are written. I hope you are at least accustomed to this.

Guys,

I have to agree. This forum is supposed to be open to people who want to share roadster stories, info. and the like.

This spaz says to stick to the topic and he will leave Minh alone. I have a better idea for you, leave us all alone and take your commentary somewhere else.

Off the soapbox...TR

Amen TR!!!

Lets get this back on topic.....

I saw something today that should go a long way to assuaging any concerns about the Roadsters being up to the task of towing a trailer. I saw a Chevrolet Chevette (yes Alphonse, there are still a few of those on the road...) towing what appeared to be a 5'x5' trailer (a guess - I did not stop to measure...). It was loaded with a riding mower, so it had a decent load for the little beastie to handle.

If a 'Vette can handle such a load, surely a Roadster can pull some stuff around!

I know Gary C, in the San Fernando Valley, says he used to tow his dirt bikes with his roadster (the 1600 I think) back in the 70's.
If you are going to do a receiver hitch, it will be pretty low in back. I think I would try to have the receiver be behind the license plate, so you flip up the plate and install the hitch. (no need for trunk room now that you have a trailer, right?) No need to have trailer brakes if the trailer is only 500 lbs. You want to have ~100 lbs tongue weight, but can usually get this with an empty trailer by moving the spare tire forward. Airshocks to re-level with the trailer on is a good idea.
I like the trailer idea, and am eyeing an abandoned roadster as a "cut it in half and make 2 trailers" project!
FergO

Many years back I chased down a 2 liter roadster hitch towing a complete parts car (which still had the drivetrain in it). This was on the north side of Lake Superior where the highway was pretty twisty and had some good inclines and downhills.
The roadster seemed be able to handle pulling the 2300 lb vehicle behind at a good clip in a controlled manner.

The 450 lb metal trailer that I tow with the wifes 2 liter Cavalier is usually loaded up with 1200 lbs of camping stuff and it pulls easy thru the mountains.
http://www.rhinotrailers.biz/index1.php
The tongue weigth of about 75 lbs doesnt affect the cars handling but if I get it up to about 150+ lbs it definately puts off the cars balance.
Thinking of trying to tow the trailer with my 1600 roadster.

Ray B.