Hi Jill,
The comments by Marc Weimer (below) are exactly what we experience with our 1978 Ford
E-250 Van when
towing either our 31' or 32' Airstream. This winter, our 23 year old Van has
introduced us to
several mechanics so far. Each time, we have needed a minor part. Fortunately, the
part was readily
available from the local NAPA dealer. The same thing has occurred with our 1975
Mercury when towing
one of our 22' Airstreams. Some people get bent out of shape by such delays. We're
used to it, know
how to handle it and don't consider it a big deal.
The reply by Pat Ewing (below) is right on the money. When towing our '67 22' Safari,
I use our 1975
Mercury Station Wagon. It has all the bells and whistles, 460CID with dual exhausts,
extreme
transmission cooling capacity, over size radiator and numerous upgrades to the factory
trailer
towing package.
The wagon provides the storage space we need (several tool boxes, electric wheel
chair, lawn chairs,
pet carrier and satellite receiver), the roof easily accommodates our canoe (I cn load
it on and off
without grunting) and the stiffened suspension provides excellent manners at all
Interstate speed
limits. There are additional features and modifications than what I've listed here.
As the owner for more than 25 years, it has always been kept in mint towing condition
and used
regularly for towing. It has needed only minor restoration of one rocker panel. The
guys in our
local performance shop want to chrome everything under the hood, but that's too
indulgent for me.
This Mercury was used on the Ohio VAC caravan in 1999 and used extensively last year
in the
Adirondack Mountains. It performs superbly, is always in command of the situation
while towing and
does it all without strain (on regular gas, too).
Our newest tow vehicle is a 1986 GMC diesel suburban and is not turbo charged. It has
every
performance modification our diesel specialist can legally do. We used it in 1998 when
towing our
'67 22' Safari to the west coast from New England. We followed the Oregon Trail its
entire length,
then caravaned with VAC through the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho, attended
International and returned
to the northeast.
The 6.2L diesel engine performed flawlessly, provided 14 miles per gallon while
towing, but never
had enough oooomph to get out of its own way. At 45 mph, I could press hard on the
accelerator and
the only thing that occurred was the engine became louder (much louder). The way to
accelerate was
to feather dust the accelerator and wait patiently while the speedometer needle slowly
crept up.
This usually took several miles of flat Interstate highway. We quickly learned to
anticipate any
need to accelerate and to never expect to keep up with traffic unless going downhill.
It's a
handsome truck inside and out, very comfortable, mechanically sound, a pleasure to
drive solo and
the radio/tape deck works great.
Jill, I know neither of these three tow vehicles are the brand you want, but knowing
the
configuration of features and performance we've experienced - maybe it'll provide you
with ideas
about what sort of capability could meet your needs, in circumstances you expect to
encounter. We
travel the length and width of the continent several times a year. Our muscular 1975
Mercury Station
Wagon is by far our best vintage tow vehicle.
Terry
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." Anon
===============
>Jill,
>
>Having lived full time in various RV's off & on over the years there's two things that
>you need to consider very carefully. Number one is that a full sized van or a pickup
>with
>a shell on the back will give much needed storage space for the various things you
>might
>want to have with you. Number two is that ANY vehicle and especially a vintage one
>will
>probably need to be repaired more frequently than a newer one. Parts availability is
>extremely important when one is out on the road. Having a common vehicle that parts
>are
>readily available helps out a lot. Being stranded because of waiting for a replacement
>part that can't be readily found isn't much fun.
>
>I'm a retired parts dept. manager and one example that I remember is back in about
>1976
>in eastern Washington a couple was passing through on their summer vacation with their
>brand new VW camper bus. It was VW's very first year of having an automatic
>transmission
>in the bus and guess what? ........... The transmission went out. There wasn't another
>one available on the west coast, ............... had to be shipped out from the east
>coast. Those poor folks had to spend their much planned for (had even purchased a new
>camper bus) vacation sitting in a motel room in Moses Lake, WA waiting for their
>vehicle
>to be fixed.
>
>When I travel I usually like to bring along a canoe, bicycles, several pieces of
>outdoor
>furniture. So I suggest that you think about just what "things" you might like to have
>along with you when you travel full time. When I towed with a car I'd have to have
>things
>in the trailer and then would have to empty it out when I wanted to use it. Having
>things
>securely locked up in a van or pickup has a lot to be said for it.
>
>I wish you well.
>
>Pat
>(GMC Suburban)
>(Several vintage Airstreams)
>(Several vintage cars)
===============================
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "jim clark" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>
>> As it has been pointed out, the problem is that even if in new condition,
>> the unit would be near 40 years old and a lot of strange things would be
>> breaking... just due to old age...My recommendation would be to go with a
>> modern truck... not because the old wagon couldn't do the job, but for the
>> reliability
>
>That's easy to say if you've got the bucks. I don't know about there, but
>around here trucks are out of sight price-wise. Even old broken down trucks
>are going for big money. When I hear friends talking about blown engines,
>busted transmissions and serious break downs in their relatively new trucks,
>I shudder to think how much they paid for the truck in the first place.
>
>Vintage vehicles can be somewhat reliable if you pay extra attention to
>maintenance. You have to replace things that are just old, BEFORE they break
>on you. For instance, my old 440 engine in my tow car was running OK. It
>used a little too much oil, but it was running fine. It had 167,000 miles on
>it and it's 28 years old. I replaced it last summer with an overhauled
>engine. The transmission was a little leaky and it shifted funny on cold
>mornings. It had 100,000 miles on it and it was 20 years old. I replaced it
>with an overhauled transmission. This year I should buy new front wheel
>bearings and new tires.
>
>Every spring, you go out to the car, open the hood and say, "OK, you guys!
>Which one of you is going to break this year??" Whatever looks weak or old,
>you buy a new one and replace it. Of course, it costs money to do that, but
>it's still cheaper than a new truck.
>
>This year, when I use it to tow the trailer to Washington DC or wherever,
>it's going to have some stupid thing break anyway. Last year it was fuses
>and poor connections in the tail lights. This year, the gas tank might get a
>hole in it. Who knows? It'll probably get me home, however. It always has
>so far.
>
>You have to have a special desire to use a vintage tow vehicle, but it has
>it rewards, and I don't find it too expensive. It's certainly not for
>everyone ....but neither is fixing up old Airstreams!!
>
>MARC WEIMER
>Punxsutawney, PA - Home of the Groundhog -- Still 3 more weeks of winter
>to go!!!
>#15767
>1963 Globe Trotter
>1971 Globe Trotter
>http://users.penn.com/~mweimer
>
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