anyone using a Reese 66069 on their scamp

[Pinto-One]

HI , just ordered a single bar Resse hitch # 66069 for my 16 foot scamp, is there anyone using this one , just noticed that part of spring attachment might end up under the propane bottels , planning a trip to the Grand Canyon this sept and will be carrying more supplies, thanks , Blaine in Mississippi

[Bob Miller]

Etrailer sez that hitch is designed for use on a "Small "A" frame trailer" and doesn't seem to be intended for an FGRV like a Scamp.

Reese Light-Duty Weight Distribution System - A-Frame - 4,000 lbs GTW, 400 TW Reese Weight Distribution RP66069

And that tension bar holder is in about the worst possible place on a Scamp. Right under the LP bottle. Can't see the advantage over a conventional 2 bar system except maybe cost, but I'd bet that's also small.

[Pinto-One]

well it is small and the thought is also easy to pack away when I am finished with it, saw a few 17 ft casitas using them and looked simple and fast to hook up once you got the thing set up, and also had a place for a anti sway bar, but at the last moment I noticed I may have to move to Lp Bottles around (yep this has two of them) and relocate the battery , and with everything full and loaded the TW is around 300Lb , plus stuff in the trunk of the car,

[Bob Miller]

An "A-Frame" trailer is like an A-Liner or a Chalet: Aliner - The original A-frame pop up camper
Me thinks if you contacted Reese that they would give a thumbs down on using this hitch with a 16' Scamp and/or a 17' Casita. But it does look like it would save a little on hitch weight

Using a conventional two bar set-up would take an extra 3 minutes and you wouldn't have to move anything. I think I paid $215 for the complete two bar set-up I bought to pull a 3500 lb Coleman sticky with last year.

[Pinto-One]

thanks for the info, got the hitch on ebay , half for what other stores are selling, had a two bar set up I used on my truck but the bars were too long, and the brackets for the frame were to big also, just wanted something light and simple and most of all less parts to lose, just will have to figure it out and post photos when done and the test results , bad thing is they do not make air shocks for my old car any more and feel this is better and safer ,

[Bob Miller]

You didn't mention what your TV was, but "Air Springs" are pretty much available for almost all cars and truck built since 1979.

Air shocks are a bad idea anyway as they put load on shock mounts that weren't designed to support the vehicle.

[Pinto-One]

yes I know the load but back in the 70s it was the norm to use them, but you alway had to keep some air in them or the would go bad real soon, my tow vehicle is a (dont laugh ) is a 1976 ford pinto sedan, with the 2.8 V-6 , rare class 2 hitch , have a few photos posted on the registry under pinto one, I often pull the scamp to car meets , nice when you have a place to rest and clean place to take a leak if know what I mean, just rebuilt the engine and a few other extras, engine is the same as they used in the ford ranger, so power is there,

[Bob Miller]

I wouldn't be as concerned about being able to pull over a ton of scamp with a Pinto, but being able to steer and stop it is a major concern

I have an original Hunter brochure and it shows a Pinto towing a hunter Compact, but that weighs about 900 lbs. And, putting a WD hitch on that unit chassis.... not a chance.

I'm out, but let us know where and when you will be towing so we can be aware....

And let me introduce you to a guy named Ralph Nader, nobody liked him, but he was correct.

[Pinto-One]

yep I know about old (I think he,s dead now) Ralph Nader , but to this day I never seen a tow hitch on a corvair, pintos yes, this year was the last for the heavy pinto, a ton and a half with me it it, to me I would be more concerned with people using a short wb jeep doing the same thing, but they buy the right stuff for it to do it, I do have people ask why, I say would it be better If I use my bronco II , the say yes , I reply why use a smaller vehicle, look up the specs, stopping and steering is no problem, had many dummy,s pull, stop , and swrve at me, over the years, but have a good one, but I will (warn) let you know if I ever pass your way, later Blaine

[Bob Miller]

Still alive and very active.... Ralph Nader - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Pinto-One]

thanks, looks like some good reading, also I driven a few corvairs, I think with todays tires it might have changed things, but thats like closing the barn doors after the horse,s are long gone

[Borrego Dave]

Blaine if your ever in SoCal I'd like to see your Pinto and tow set up, as a Ford guy it sounds cool. I've had three Corvairs and my '65 convertable was the best. Still a nice looking body style to me. Chevys answer to the Falcon in the day. As far as Nader's war against it went, I think an IRS axle like VW came out with later in their production to get away from the swing axles possible folding under during hard tight turns would have pretty much taken the wind out of his major complaints about the car, (I read his book). I do think that was done in the last few years of production but it was to late to save it. There were a few other problems that GM could have changed but to me they were minor whoopes. The motors were great, just a bit gas thirsty. With a sand bag or two up front and snow tires on the rear it was a good car in the snow.
Sorry folks as this is a bit off the egg subject but it ticks me off of the knocking today of the technoligy from back in the day. Everything evolves, just like our trailers with new ideas. The designs and tech of 30/40 years ago may or not be the way to go today but some things are still good today. Personally I like the video and idea of a shock on a torsion axle and may add that.
OK, off the soap box.....

[Bob Miller]

First, 1965 was the first year for IRS v. the earlier swing axle. But it wasn't the axle itself that cause the problem, but that of owners and mechanics NOT following the tire pressure requirements that prevented the oversteer that led to the swing axle folding under.

Here's more than you need to know about the Corvair (6 of which were at the Temecula Rod Run about 2 weeks ago)
Chevrolet Corvair - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

But apparently the new generation of engineers at Toyota and GM did not learn from the past and, perhaps, should re-read Mr. Nader's book.

Did I say Floor Mats & Ignition Switches????? How many more billions $$$ and how many more lives will it cost?

And now back to our regular programming.... Towing with a Pinto....

[Pinto-One]

Good reply Bob , there out there and a mater of time when A good idea at the time goes bad, I work on aircraft and even with a 40 plus year old plane problems pop up, and with anything moves or rolls maintenance is very important, how many people look over there campers and tow vehicles before they go on a long trip, or even a short one, how many wrecks could have been prevented by a good inspection , finding a crack in the hitch, or broken rear spring on the camper, bad wiring to the trailer brakes when your going to the big hills, now back to towing with my pinto, adding the hitch to add more safety and less stress, and not going the cheep way , the hitch is kind of pricey , but now I got it, bad new is I have to change some to make it work on the scamp, (should have asked first if anyone used one first before I brought it) . I liked it because it looked simple and a snap to hook up, but if it does not work I will ask again on a new thread what are you using on your scamp camper and how do you like it, thanks everyone for there input , last note , I am also a pilot and fly also , I use a prefight check list before I take off , and post flight check when I return, every year I inspect everything on my vehicles, catch things that if they break they will hurt you and others , later Blaine

[Bob Miller]

Pinto + Pilot.... Now I get it.

There is the perfect bolt-on (?) accessory that will make a Pinto into the ultimate Get-Away RV:

AVE Mizar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Pinto-One

HI , just ordered a single bar Resse hitch # 66069 for my 16 foot scamp, is there anyone using this one , just noticed that part of spring attachment might end up under the propane bottels , planning a trip to the Grand Canyon this sept and will be carrying more supplies, thanks , Blaine in Mississippi

Good choice. Too many folks use W/D systems grotesquely oversized for the trailer. This one's perfectly sized for a Scamp.

Side note:

Use isn't limited by trailer "shape", but by weight. It can be used for any trailer weighing up to 4,000 pounds including standy-uppies, so long as tongue weight keeps within specs.

More info on choosing proper W/D at this link.

[Bob Miller]

Quote: "Use isn't limited by trailer "shape", but by weight. It can be used for any trailer weighing up to 4,000 pounds including standy-uppies, so long as tongue weight keeps within specs."
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Is that per Reese or per Francesca?????

For some silly reason (?) Reese specifies that hitch is for "A" frame and pop-up trailers weighing up to 4,000 lbs.

Maybe they know something we don't about frontal area and side area effects on the hitch and TV when used with a larger FGRV???

And if not, why don't they sell to that market?

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

---------snip----------
Is that per Reese or per Francesca?????

?

Neither- it's per "Bob Miller", who posted this link which, among other things, shows the following pics of an enclosed cargo trailer that's about the size of a Scamp and using the hitch in question. Dunno who, exactly, originated the language therein. The actual instructions for the system as published by Reese certainly use no such language . link to instructions

Can't say where the "A-frame" language came from on that page, or even exactly what it means except as a suggested use on a Chalet-type trailer. Limits of the hitch are governed by weight, period.

[Pinto-One]

Thanks bob, think your picking on me now, yes I know the Mizar , ck you tube you will see it flying , wings and tail off a Cessna 336, good idea if done right, (strut attachment failed) , nope I will pass on that idea , I may be nuts but not crazy, thanks Francesca for the photos , I see that I may have to move the bottles back to clear the frame attachment , and move the battery in front, or relocate it to the closet , as soon as it shows up will take some photos and post
thanks everyone

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Pinto-One

I do have people ask why, I say would it be better If I use my bronco II , the say yes , I reply why use a smaller vehicle, look up the specs, stopping and steering is no problem, had many dummy,s pull, stop , and swrve at me, over the years, but have a good one, but I will (warn) let you know if I ever pass your way, later Blaine

I agree with your mind set Blaine. I had a 71 Pinto and it handled and stopped well. It was even better with a suspension/spring/shock/swaybar upgrade kit. The 302ci v8 and 15" tires was the icing on the cake. Never did tow with it but sure it would be a great TV especially with the mods.