OLD TOW COUPLINGS

[nugget]

Thanks Cobber ;D, This old homemade van is a bit of a mystery The old owners said it was 50-60's, I have found nothing to I/d it with so thought I would throw the couplings out there see what response came back It looks like a late 50's to me but am no expert. ;D The fridge and a faded plywood stamp are the only other clues prior to searching through old homemade van plans I have plowed through the pics here and think the last pic is the closest. What can you tell me about the over ride brakes - Why special Someone mentioned the suspension leaves (13) of them where quiet rare also. When I brought the van they said I could turn these upside down for more clearance Any Ideas on this Cobber?

[cobber]

G'day Nugget,

WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT YOUR COUPLING …....... mate, it's the first example we have seen of that flat mounting type of coupling adapted to fit the round shaft of an over-ride brake....THAT'S SPECIAL
Don't let 'em talk you out of keeping it on the 'van when you take it to get registered.

Turning your springs upside down could be a first too
They probably were talking about putting the springs on top of the axle instead of under it.... might have to turn the axle upside down depending on the set up you have.

Cobber

[cobber]

This here is the tow coupling on Reddo's latest acquisition.


Don't know if it has a brand name on it or how the hand brake locks 'on'...... Reddo might fill us in there

Cobber.

[Franklin1]

This coupling is currently listed on ebay. No information about what it's from or why it's being listed on its own...

[cobber]

G'day Al,

That coupling appears to be in good nick for what it is.
It's the same coupling that earlee had that started this whole tow coupling thread back in 2005.
I also had it on "Free to a good home Mk 1". back in 2004.

Be interesting to see what it fetches on ebay

Cobber.

[Franklin1]

cobber, for some reason the ebay auction "ended" without any bids.

By coincidence, another little van has been listed that appears to have the same coupling...



The seller says the van has something to do with being the first aluminium van built in Shepparton, Vic. in 1954, although the stable door points my attention towards Qld.

Al.

[Jikah]

Hi Al,

That tow coupling looks like a "Henderson" brand made by Henderson Springs, which was around Newtown or Alexandria, in Sydney, from memory. They supplied springs, axles, brakes, couplings and other bits and pieces for caravan builders. Don't know if they still exist.
I accompanied my Dad to Hendersons where he purchased this coupling for the caravan he was building, when I was about 9 or 10 old, in the early fifties.
Had great times in that caravan.

Cheers,
Ian.

[cobber]

G'day Ian,

Thanks for that information..... now that you point it
out if we look at the Henderson
thread in DHL we can see the coupling in photos
there. Apparently in those days there was no
requirement for manufacturers to brand their
couplings, which can cause restorers problems
with the "Blue slip" inspectors if we want to retain
these old couplings and they don't know the relevant rules.

Cobber.

[cobber]

This coupling is fitted to Sportsman 1's Clipper.


The original one looked more like this.... home made I suspect


Cobber.

[sportsman 1]

if you have a look at the pics of the original Treg type coupling it showed the tube part welded to the drawbar and the coupling through it.

I have several possible tow cars and the thought of having to put on and take off the other part of the Treg to each car every time I wanted to go somewhere seemed a lot of trouble as well as the fact they are notoriously hard to put the two halves together.

Some time ago I advertised for a 50mm override coupling to do a conversion. Seeing as the override coupling has the same diameter shaft as the Treg I figured if I take the ball coupling off the override and shorten it to suit I could fit it into the original tube. This gives me a ball coupling for multi use without destroying any of the original bits. If I want to I can just take the nut off the end of the ball coupling, remove it and replace the original.

I did cut the handbrake bits off the ball mount as they were not required. I know it is not original but hey, it works for me!

Cheers, Leigh.

[cobber]

This coupling is fitted to kazandadams Quest caravan.
We need to know what the vertical bit does..... it slides independently of the override brake shaft



See how the hand brake ratchet appears to have been broken and originally may have flipped over to engage the vertical bit in question


Made by "Western"...... maybe Tucky or Cus or the "Sunliner" boys have seen this coupling before ?


Cobber.

[minor man]

hi all a mate of mine was given a boat trailer









a little dude trailer with a differant coupling
brian

[cobber]

Photo off an un-named 'van on e-bay.
A variation of a coupling we have seen before



Cobber.

[cobber]

And still they keep coming....... variations on how to hook a caravan to a car.

This one is from the 1938/39 edition of the “Australian Caravan Magazine and Log Manual”.I would have called it the "Crocodile coupling"


Cobber.

[cruisindoug]

The coupling that was on our Skyline:



Won't be using it (it isn't in great condition underneath) but will be keeping it - any takers as to date and / or if its the original?

Cheers
Doug & Tracy.

[cobber]

G'day Doug 'n Tracy,

This coupling appears to be a 2 ¼ '' coupling... which is very interesting.

This add from 1959 gives a bit of a clue as to its
approximate age ....... all we have to do now is
find out when it first appeared, and when it was
replaced by the 2 '' ball.
Stay tuned.


Cobber

[cruisindoug]

Thanks Cobber, it seems to fit in as being as an original coupling for the van, amazing its still there. Cheers Doug & Tracy.

[cobber]

An ingenious English tow coupling from 1937 that I haven't seen in Australia..... if you have, show us a photo of it



Cobber.

[firefighter]

::)G 'Day olfart

Dave that handle and threaded spindle in photo 2&3 is from a fire sprinkler installation in factorys/shops/office blocks etc that turns the water off & on
f/f ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[JBJ]

Hi Dave,

They would be the prototype experimental aluminium windows in 1952. Like the 52 sunliner on ebay at present ( really more a 62)

Cant make people accept reality if they aren't interested.

Nice van still.

JBJ

[cobber]

Thanks for those photos Dave and thanks to F/F for the information about the Jockey wheel on the Bethanga van.... you didn't notice what brand name was on that one did you Dave ?

The other one on the home made job we have seen similar before I think but we didn't know it was a "Dymwood"........ or did we

Cobber.

Yes..... back on page 3 reply # 43 we got the clue it was a "Dymwood"

[cobber]

This I was told is a “Show Van Coupling”.
The screw on lid pictured is used when the coupling is not in use but....... the ball passed through a similar lid that also screwed on and held the ball in contact with the socket.... plus the weight of the van would have kept it in contact.



I am assuming this part attached to the tow vehicle.....I am also assuming we are talking about Showmans 'vans or “living vans” as the Poms call them.

[RS 1990]

Jan 9, 2011 9:12:31 GMT 10 cobber said:

An ingenious English tow coupling from 1937 that I haven't seen in Australia..... if you have, show us a photo of it



Cobber.

That looks similar to Lego pieces!

[Jennison]

Enquiries from another member of the forum have prompted me to go get some more comprehensive photos for this towball connection thread of a complete jones dolly wheel setup.
It's on a VV that I have had in my wish list book for a while now.
The owner wishes to REMAIN anon
I will send the photos to Cobber to add when and where he thinks fit
Enjoy ;D
jennison ;D

[cobber]

G'day Jennison

I have put these photos over on the thread devoted to "Dolly wheels".

Thanks for sending them to me, the Dolly Wheel thread is HERE.

Cobber.