[FC] boat towing w/greenbrier

[James Davis]

Typical bumper hitches are rated for 100 lbs tongue weight and 1,000 lbs 
tow weight.  As the bumper brackets and the bumper itself are heavier than 
the cars, I would feel safe going to around 2,000 if you have very good 
trailer brakes.  As far as the hitch....  The main, stock bumper bracket 
bolts are 3/8 x 3 inch grade #1 fully threaded.  I would change all six of 
then out with grade #5 bolts.  The center bumper bracket  is fine, but I 
would change out the self tapping 3.8 x 1 bolts to like size grade #5.  The 
end bumper brackets and bolts carry no load so they are fine as they 
are.  While you are  at it, it re-torque all the bumper to bracket bolts 
and replace those that are suspect.  JC Whitney sells replacements.  If you 
are going to carry more than 100 lbs tongue weight, you can reinforce the 
bottom of the bumper by using a 1.5 x 0.25 inch steel plate bolted to the 
inside of the bumper using the same trailer hitch to bumper bolts.  This 
strap simply reinforces the bumper and distributes the load to the 
brackets,   I know of no air shocks available for the F/C's.  F/C brakes 
are good for about 1,200 lbs load and above that trailer brakes are a 
must.  I routinely tow as much as 3,200 lbs behind my Rampside, but the 
trailer I use has surge brakes on it.  The Rampside has Clark's 
reproduction trailer hitch and the bumper and bolt modifications listed 
above.  With 350 lbs tongue weight the rear end sinks about 1.5 inches.  It 
helps to have the transmission with the 4.26 first gear and a 3.89 rear 
ratio.  No problems in 12 years, but a lot of second takes on my way to the 
recycling yard or coming from the gravel pit.
Jim Davis

At 08:57 AM 11/28/2004, you wrote:
>hi all,
>looking for thoughts comments on boat towing, @16 foot deep V boat w/50 hp 
>motor, sorry dont have tongue weight handy now, just purchased the long 
>flat tow hitch that mounts to bumper
>
>new springs, bushings LOW pressure gas shocks, will the Brier pull w/out 
>dragging?
>
>my big question is does anyone have experience info on gas shocks for FC?
>
>thanks in advance
>keith
>'64 brier 140