Having trouble finding hitch

[Allegroman]

I am brand new to the forum. My goal is to acquire a 1990-1996 Airstream Limited model to tow behind my 1991 Cadillac Brougham d'elegance. I am working on getting the car prepped for towing. I have always loved the look of the 1990-1992 Broughams, and have spent the past two years bringing this particular car back to superb condition. It has all new coils and shocks and the transmission was recently rebuit to handle up to 450 horsepower and similar foot pounds of torque to the rear wheels. I plan to convert the rear differential to a posi-traction with a finned differential plate to help dissipate heat. The current 5.7 liter engine runs fine, but I have kept open the possibility of replacing that engine with a Crate or similar turnkey engine that will produce much more horsepower and torque to make towing more enjoyable (as in reaching cruising speed in less than two minutes). When all is complete with that engine/drivetrain, the vehicle should be rated to tow 8500-9000 lbs. with little problem.

My problem is finding a hitch. Every place I have looked, they say I need a custom hitch. Then when I ask, where there is a local company, no one knows anyone. The only place I have been able to find is a company in Ontario, Canada, but that is a long way from Fort Worth, Texas. Has anyone had a similar problem, and if so,, what recommendation might you offer.

Thanks for considering this request.

Allegroman

[Piggy Bank]

Perhaps try exploring businesses that cater to boat towing, and horse towing.

[AWCHIEF]

Amazon and Google can be your two best friends.

[A W Warn]

This thread may give you some ideas about what you are looking for.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...itch-8578.html

I suggest you should go to the local Yellow Pages and lookup welding shops that specialize in truck and heavy equipment repairs. Call a few shops and you will most likely find or get direction to at least one or two local business that will build custom hitches.

Another suggestion: Andy from CanAmRV is a hitching specialist, a member of this forum. You might contact him. I hear he is generous with his advice.

[joemikeb]

There are any number of trailer manufacturers, welding shops, etc. here in Fort Worth that should be able to fabricate a hitch for you if they are willing. Take a drive down East Loop 820 between I30 and I20 and there are several on both sides of the road. The UHaul at East Loop 820 and I30 does good hitch installations as well although I don't know if they make custom hitches.

I suspect the issue may not be as much unable as it is unwilling to install and/or create a hitch mount because of your tow vehicle make, model, and year and potential liability.

[AWCHIEF]

U haul response to my first search

https://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies...leId=1449&ship

[AWCHIEF]

http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-co...restige-54.jpg

[SteveSueMac]

I didn't know Caddy and AS did some tag teaming!

What do you that trailer weighed?

I think that rig looks very cool 😀

[Alluminati]

Advertising always over-promises, so of course they'll show the car towing something massive. But I did google the tow rating for your car, and it says certain models came with 7000 lb tow capacity from the factory. Sounds remarkable to me.

[Allegroman]

Thank you. The pictures are helpful, especially to give a fabricator some direction on making a hitch from scratch.

[Allegroman]

Yes, I am investigating local welders and am starting to receive quotes on getting a custom hitch fabricated. Thanks for your help.

[Allegroman]

Yes, I stopped by U-haul yesterday to inquire about a hitch. They used to make one for this vehicle but it is no longer available. As you discovered when you did a search, they will make one for free if you are willing to take your vehicle to Tempe, Arizona and stay for two or three days or, as I found out today in their response to my inquiry posted yesterday, if I cannot travel to Tempe, they will make one for me at the cost of $1000. Kind of leary at paying for a custom hitch if they do not have a physical car for which to take measurements. Even if they can fabrice one, it most likely will still need welding work to secure it to the car frame/bumper.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, if you are looking for a receiver for your tow vehicle there are hitch/welding shops that specialize in making these. Williams Welding In Long Beach, California made mine for my 1959 Ford. They can make a hitch for almost anything. There must be a place similar near you.

[Trnpk Crsr]

The large Caddy's and the Buick Roadmaster and Chevy Caprice clones were available with tow packages. The were the last body on frame cars that GM made. Perhaps you can find one with a hitch in a junk yard and you can salvage the hitch. The frames had holes pre punched so the hitch just bolts in place.

[Allegroman]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, if you are looking for a receiver for your tow vehicle there are hitch/welding shops that specialize in making these. Williams Welding In Long Beach, California made mine for my 1959 Ford. They can make a hitch for almost anything. There must be a place similar near you.

Yes, I am hoping some old school folks may still be around that can do just that. Great idea.

[Allegroman]

Originally Posted by Trnpk Crsr

The large Caddy's and the Buick Roadmaster and Chevy Caprice clones were available with tow packages. The were the last body on frame cars that GM made. Perhaps you can find one with a hitch in a junk yard and you can salvage the hitch. The frames had holes pre punched so the hitch just bolts in place.

That would be ideal. There are at least three pick-and-pull salvage yards in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I subscribe to Row 52, which alerts me when a car model I am looking for comes in. I know that no Caddies in the last 9 months have come in that have rear hitches. However, I can expand the parameters of the search, per your suggestion, to include Caddies of the 1993-96 vintage and also, B-bodies that would include the Buick Roadmaster, Chevy Caprice, Oldsmobile 98, Buick Electra 225 and Pontiac Bonneville. Who knows, I might get lucky.

[Jim Arnold]

Call Curt hitches. They are a great company and you can purchase the product at any NAPA Parts Store!!

[m.hony]

I'm thinking his Cadillac is the Fleetwood Brougham body style prior to the "bubble" Fleetwood, Roadmaster, and Caprice.
The last of the "elegant" Cadillacs, as referenced by its name "d"Elegance"-
The basic body style began with the 1977 "downsizing" with a refresh in '81 or so.
The '90-'92 was a little different with the cladding below the beltline and the one piece "Euro" look headlights.
These are very attractive cars.
As far as I'm concerned when Cadillac discontinued production of this particular body style they could have closed the factory and quit manufacturing Cadillacs.
This is the last "real" Cadillac.

[Airtandem]

Call Can AM and see if they have done a hitch for your auto. Maybe they have one or could give suggestions.

[Allegroman]

Originally Posted by Piggy Bank

Perhaps try exploring businesses that cater to boat towing, and horse towing.

If some of the other feelers don't work out, I will certainly consider this suggestion. Thanks.