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Old 02-23-2009, 12:33 PM   #1
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1956 22' Caravanner
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Question Towing capacity of the Lincoln Navigator

Hello everyone. This is my first time in the forum so I hope I get my question asked correctly. We have a 1956 Caravanner - think 22 foot. However, I'm told that you measure from hitch to bumper and, if that's the case, it's a 25 footer. We just bought it last summer and have been pulling it around the flatlands of Nebrasksa with a 96 chevy 1500. It seems to work fine but we'd like to head west to higher elevations. So -- been looking at a 2002 Navigator that has everything you could ask for except information about towing Airstreams in the mountains. It has a 5.4 V8 - a 3.73 gear ratio and a 119 inch wheel base plus a towing package. I haven't been able to find out the weight limits yet. Can anyone provide any information? Thanks in advance.
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Old 02-23-2009, 01:26 PM   #2
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Yep/Nope (whichever applies) - they called it a 22' Caravanner. You can tell by all the windows. Great party meeting place! I'm not sure of the exact reference points used to come up with this measurement but 22' includes everything up to 22' 11".

Edmunds breaks out the Navigator to 2WD and 4WD that year. Take your pick and go to the following page -- click to open 'Specs' along the left column. eg, the 2WD has a towing capacity of 8800#. Following the 85% rule of thumb (only use 85% of spec capacities for best handling, durability, safety & performance) you'll have plenty for a caravanner. More important - subtract curb (empty) wt from the gross wt -- that gives you payload capacity. So that is 1600# for the 2WD -- fairly generous for an SUV. Weights of vehicle options (eg, did it really come standard w a Class III/IV receiver? ask a dealer), tongue weight, other cargo and people & pets aboard should not exceed this amount -- ideally 85% of this amount. Play the capacity numbers right and you'll about never exceed tow capacity for real world situations.

I think it should work fine for a vintage Airstream. Does it have extra tranny cooler as part of the tow package?
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Old 02-23-2009, 01:57 PM   #3
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In calculating the tow vehicles weight rating capacity do you add cargo, people and 100% of the tongue weight of the trailer, or does some the tongue weight get re-distributed back to the trailer axle when using a WD system?

Steve
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Old 02-23-2009, 02:15 PM   #4
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Forum member ROBERTSUNRUSS tows his '04 25 footer with a Navigator. I was a little surprise at such when I met him at a rally but he can tow his AS with little problem. So I think you will have no problem with your Caravaner. Robert wil surely post the next time he is on the forums.
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Old 02-23-2009, 06:44 PM   #5
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Welcome to the Forum.
I've towed my GlobeTrotter, which is similar in size and weight to the Caravaner, with an Eddie Bauer AWD Expedition, cousin to the Navigator.
It's working quite well for me. Plenty of power and stability for a small Vintage rig.
The only thing that I have found to be annoying is the rear air suspension. Bags only, no springs. If you're planning on using a weight distributing hitch, a good idea, you'll find the initial setup a bit involved. Peek underneath to check for leaf springs.
Additionally the ride height module will drop the rear of the truck when the hatch is open to facilitate unloading. Might freak you out the first time you see it happen.
Other than that, it rides well empty or loaded and has plenty of cargo space with the rear seat out and the centers folded down.

Good luck,
Tom.
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Old 02-23-2009, 07:22 PM   #6
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I am towing with a 06 Expedition and have no problems. We can't go very far out here without going up a mountain and we have been up and down several without any heart burn whatsoever.

I did put in a tranny aux. cooler to be on the safe side and, of course, a WD hitch.

You should be in good shape with your setup.

John
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Old 02-23-2009, 08:13 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rover 1 View Post
In calculating the tow vehicles weight rating capacity do you add cargo, people and 100% of the tongue weight of the trailer, or does some the tongue weight get re-distributed back to the trailer axle when using a WD system?
From guru 2air - http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...-in-17984.html

WD's purpose is to move some hitch weight forward to the TV front axle. The TV still carries the entire tongue weight the way I understand it.

Published trailer curb weights and tongue weights are only a starting point. For one, the published weights are for the base model of either a TV or trailer -- options are not figured in.

In the end a stable tow results from having 11-13% of overall trailer weight on the tongue. There are a number of optional weights that will run up the tongue weight -- LP in the tanks, hitch bar & WD gear so far forward, spare tire if you've got it. Probably figure a couple hundred pounds more tongue weight than published -- unless or until you take a ready-to-camp trailer to the CAT scales and prove otherwise. This is a summary only. Your results may vary...
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Old 02-23-2009, 08:14 PM   #8
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I would have no reservations town a vintage 22' unit with a Navigator. I think you'll be fine.
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Old 02-23-2009, 11:31 PM   #9
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Similar tow vehicle.

Hi, as mentioned above, I have a 2000 Lincoln Navigator, 2wd tow rated at 8,900 lbs. It has the factory tow package, 3L:73, 5.4 L, 32 valve, 4 cam V-8, 300 HP, and 355 ft. lbs torque at 2750 RPM. I tow a 2005 Safari 25-B rated at 6,300 lbs. We have taken our combination through California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Only modifications done to the tow vehicle were I removed the third row seat and replaced the original brake pads [when they were worn out] with ceramic pads.
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Old 02-24-2009, 01:19 PM   #10
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For that matter, why would the Chev 1500 have any problem with that rig?
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Old 02-24-2009, 10:48 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS View Post
Hi, as mentioned above, I have a 2000 Lincoln Navigator, 2wd tow rated at 8,900 lbs. It has the factory tow package, 3L:73, 5.4 L, 32 valve, 4 cam V-8, 300 HP, and 355 ft. lbs torque at 2750 RPM. I tow a 2005 Safari 25-B rated at 6,300 lbs. We have taken our combination through California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Only modifications done to the tow vehicle were I removed the third row seat and replaced the original brake pads [when they were worn out] with ceramic pads.
Bob, I seem to remember your coach had a blue stripe. Yes, it does. I remember now because I said once that your Nav. should have a matching blue stripe.
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Old 02-24-2009, 11:38 PM   #12
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Bob, I seem to remember your coach had a blue stripe. Yes, it does. I remember now because I said once that your Nav. should have a matching blue stripe.
Neil.
Hi, Neil. Yes my trailer does have blue stripes and an American flag. You have a great memory. The above pictures [post #9] were taken before the stripes were installed.
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Old 02-27-2009, 09:05 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS View Post
Hi, Neil. Yes my trailer does have blue stripes and an American flag. You have a great memory. The above pictures [post #9] were taken before the stripes were installed.
MEMORY.....Heck when parked next to you that time at Casini I awoke each morning saluting your (our) flag from my bedroom window. Great picture. You got cropped from the picture that I took.
Neil
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