Another unique trailer hitch idea was develeped by Glenn Curtiss, who lived in hamondsport ny. Not far from me. He designed one of the first 5th wheels. He actually put a hitch over the rear wheels of the car, instead of behind the car. For more information look at the link below or look up Glenn Curtiss Aerocar.

http://rvbasics.com/techtips/Glenn-C...fth-Wheel.html

 

Changing weight distribution or moving axles to artificially reduce tongue weight is highly dangerous. Unless the center of mass substantially favors the tongue, yaw stability goes out the window. Have a fabricator reinforce the hitch area and throw some Air Lifts at it. Be safe!! Also, add a transmission cooler if you're towing with an automatic. BTW, that's a beautiful woodie. Did you get it from a dealer?

 

Reading this finally gave me insight as to why the '71 Firebird Formula 455 I once owned was not recommended for trailer pulling.I knew the powertrian could do it,but I thought the structure was the culprit.Now I see that I guessed correctly.

 

I am new to this site, but I tow a teardrop trailer I built that weights 850 lbs. It has 165 lbs of tounge weight. The teardrop trailers by design have a higher tounge to trailer weight ratio, most trailer should have 15% on the hitch, teardrops are much higher mostly. Long story short, you should be able to move the axle foward some,(keeping at least 15% on the hitch) as I wish I had done with mine. Also, look into custom 1/14 inch weight distrabution hitches. Not sure if anyone makes one or not. I agree with the previously mentioned fact that the hitch mounting to the subframe is the weak point. The torsion beam suspension is perfectly suited for overloading because you will not wear out the inside of your tires like you would on Multi-link like my old CR-V.

 

Here is my teardrop from the above post 170lb tounge wt and some stuff packed in back of car and it isn't squatting too bad towed great, but I only have 2.2 L w/5speed so a little slow off the line as I had a gross vehicle weight of almost 5000 lbs. (yeah I know it says not to tow with manual, but I towed 2000 miles in one trip with no problems... look up astra tow specs in australia w/ 1.8 ecotec and 5 speed)