Okay now that I have my 70 Safari 23foot, what type of tow vehicles from that era were used, mainly cars. zz
For most towing a passenger car was used. This was the case until the early 1980's when the full sized cars were downsized. Pickups and SUV's replaced the car at that time, except for the Suburban which was used in both time frames.
The exception would be on a rough caravan in which a pickup with four wheel drive and high ground clearance would make a better choice.
Bill
__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
Typically big Chryslers, GM's and Ford cars. Impala's, Ford LTD's and Chryco Imperials, but also many of their other models. Station wagons were popular because they were big enough for the family to travel and still offered cargo space. And of course Caddy's were a very popular tow vehicle for those who could afford them and they were typically bought by people who were willing to spend the bucks for all the options and maintained them very well.
If you do go down this route buy the best one you can find that's either already restored or in extremely good original condition. I can assure you that restoring a vintage car is far more expensive and time consuming than a travel trailer.
If possible try to find one that has the towing package. That would include a quality hitch although you may need to have a new one put on anyway given the old one is 40 years or so old and, well, you don't want anything to happen to the Safari.
You want one with disc brakes up front if you can find one and if not there are lots of conversion kits readily available. By 1970 though most of the bigger cars had disc brakes as an option and anyone buying a car for towing back then would likely have ordered them.
You'll need to add a transmission cooler if there is not one already installed. Cheap to do.
The larger the car the more likely you are to find nice options like tilt, A/C, power windows and locks, tinted glass etc.
There are a lot of these cars available but make sure you have anything you are considering buying checked thoroughly by a mechanic who knows what your using it for, and again, buy the best one you can find/afford.
You could also consider International's of the period, GM Suburbans, and some others I'm sure will chip in with their suggestions. Many of these were bought to tow trailers as well and were reasonably well optioned although they were nothing like the cars for quiet ride and overall comfort. But they were pretty OK for their day and would work well for what you want.
Keep us posted as you do your search. If you need suggestions as to where to look let us know.
Barry
__________________ Take care. Unlike your puppy, it is so embarrassing to put your Airstream to bed belly up.
Barry & Donna Life is short - so's the door on an Flying Cloud (ouch) 1951 Flying Cloud 21' 1957 Pontiac Safari 2dr wagon TV AIR #7364 WBCCI #8110 member 4CU
Your car choice depends on how high end you want to go.
Back in 1965 we were tent camping next to an Airstream pulled by a Rolls Royce.
They brought their butler too.
I wonder if the butler had to sleep in the car?
Some people have a tough life when they rough it - what a site heading down the highway though. An RR with an AS tucked in behind.
Barry
__________________ Take care. Unlike your puppy, it is so embarrassing to put your Airstream to bed belly up.
Barry & Donna Life is short - so's the door on an Flying Cloud (ouch) 1951 Flying Cloud 21' 1957 Pontiac Safari 2dr wagon TV AIR #7364 WBCCI #8110 member 4CU
I bought a '71 Chev Blazer new and towed several trailers with it. Best combination was with a '67 Caravel. In those years, we were beginning to see pickups used as tow vehicles, especially out west. A nice Chev Cheyenne 1/2 ton with 350 would tow your Safari very nicely. Some of those had air, tilt wheel, and power everything. Trick is to find a good one. I tow my '68 Tradewind with a '64 Pontiac Star Chief on occasion and it does a good job, too.
If I were to do that the second trip for it, after the first one getting it home, would be my wife and friends using it to get to the funeral home for my viewing I'm afraid.
It's not that Donna doesn't have a sense of humor but ...........
Barry
__________________ Take care. Unlike your puppy, it is so embarrassing to put your Airstream to bed belly up.
Barry & Donna Life is short - so's the door on an Flying Cloud (ouch) 1951 Flying Cloud 21' 1957 Pontiac Safari 2dr wagon TV AIR #7364 WBCCI #8110 member 4CU
Some people have a tough life when they rough it - what a site heading down the highway though. An RR with an AS tucked in behind.
Barry
Barry,
I was 5 or 6 when I saw that. I did not think of it then but I've wondered since where the butler slept.
P.S. He served hot dogs and Mac & cheese for dinner. I remember that as we were having the same and my Mother said. "See, we're eating like the rich folks." Of course we were in a VW beetle with a garage sale tent. But eating like the Rockafellers.
That's hilarious. What a thing to remember. No wonder you bought an Airstream. You were brought up with good taste right from the start.
Much to my wife's dismay mac and cheese and veggie wieners are still one of my top two food groups . It's tough to stick to a diet when those are the things I cook up for myself 3 or 4 days a week for lunch.
Barry
__________________ Take care. Unlike your puppy, it is so embarrassing to put your Airstream to bed belly up.
Barry & Donna Life is short - so's the door on an Flying Cloud (ouch) 1951 Flying Cloud 21' 1957 Pontiac Safari 2dr wagon TV AIR #7364 WBCCI #8110 member 4CU
If I were to do that the second trip for it, after the first one getting it home, would be my wife and friends using it to get to the funeral home for my viewing I'm afraid.
It's not that Donna doesn't have a sense of humor but ...........
Barry
Barry,
Check out the American ebay. Rolls Royces from the '70's & '80's are surprisingly low priced and with your strong Looney...
Mrs. 57 can be wheelin a Rolls around town and thinkin you finally did something right.
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