1960s or 70s Stationwagon tow vehicle?

[gtijewlr]

When I was a kid, my folks towed their 22 foot Scamper with a 1968 98 Olds did a fine job power wise, but I remember sitting on the side of the road a few times with both car and dad boiling over, until he finally got the proper cooling equipment installed and then had no more trouble-I sure wish I had that car now for my 25 foot Trade Wind-oh well, some day- Happy travels.
Garth & Joanne

[nymphfishin]

Originally Posted by 72Blazerod

Hi guys,

I just finished watching Barrett-Jackson and it got me longing for a 1960s or early 70s stationwagon. I was just wondering if a full-sized stationwagon of this era would be able to pull a 31 foot Airstream? Let me know what your thought s are?

Rod

I had a 9 passenger Town and Country, 440 ci engine, 3 speed auto trans, rode like a dream, just huge inside, room for the kids and lots of camping gear...I would not have any doubts that it would pull most, if not all AS's. That 440 produced a lot of HP and torque.. The engine size is comparable to GMC 454 and Fords 460 ci that are still used today in motorhomes.
Don

[klattu]

Wow
This is great reading the old stories.
C31, yours are really setting me back in time.

That Lincoln and Falcon photo says a ton...
Cars were built like trucks.
Guess we never imagined it would go away.
How did we make it without AC?

After our Pontiac Safari clamshell we moved 'up' to a 1988 Buick with the woodgrain, that has a dog of a 307 Olds, it will not pull a fat girl off a tricycle!
It is my work car these days.

[clboyd]

My folks used to tow their 34 foot Holiday Rambler trailer with their 1966 Dodge Polara wagon with a 440 V8 and factory towing package with no problems! Recently I saw a 1976 Chrysler Town & Country wagon on E-bay with a 440 and trailer towing package, and I was sorely tempted, as I am now in the market for a tow vehicle for both my recently acquired 31 foot 1976 Sovereign as well as a boat ...

[slowmover]

Our family used Chryslers and Cadillacs from 1966 onwards through the 1980's. The Chryslers were the much better tow vehicle. No other manufacturer made such a good handling big car, and none could match the drivetrain.

Yeah, I'd love to have a 66-71 Chrysler Town & Country with a few modern upgrades.

[DuFresne]

This is what I lug my Airstream with.

Got to stick with tradition.

Larry

[safari57]

Originally Posted by DuFresne

This is what I lug my Airstream with.

Got to stick with tradition.

Larry

Hey Larry

I love your combo. Look forward to crossing paths soon. TCT in Deming or one of the PNW Forums events are likely for us this coming year.

Barry

[72Blazerod]

Wow! I never thought this post would become so popular. I have settled for a 1978 F350 as my Tow Vehicle for now, but I'm always keeping my eyes open for a sweet vintage wagon (if I can covince the wife). Keep the posts and pics coming!

Rod

[72Blazerod]

I've kept my eyes open and I may have found my vintage wagon tow vehicle - a 1969 Mercury Marquis Colony Park. It is white with wood panelling, black vinyl int., power windows, front disc brakes, 6 passenger, with a 429 big block and no A/C. I am buying it from the second owner (who bought it back in 1970 - WOW). I was told by the son (who is selling the car for his dad) that they used to tow their trailer and their boat with this wagon all the time. I want to pull my 1986 29' Sovereign with it, do you think I could? Anything you would suggest for making it a great tow vehicle?

Thanks,

Rod

[richinny]

make sure you use oils designed for older vehicles that has a zinc level that is higher than the new oils on the shelf.

sounds like a great car. do you know what the rear gear ratio is?

[Bob Sheridan]

She,s been looking for a 1956 nomad for a couple of years. We are going to B&J in Vegas in oct. hope to find one to pull my 62 Bambi.

[Action]

Rod,

You want to look at the axle ratio. And that ride (429 with C-6) will tow your trailer. If the axle ratio is smaller than 3.00:1 you may need to make an axle gear set change. If you supply the code on the driver's door I will give you the axle ratio.

Suggestions;
Start with new fluids for everything except the rear axle. (flush out everything)
Make sure the cooling system is perfect
Add a transmission cooler
Replace shocks with the most HD you can get
The rear springs for that year were coil and a little weak. They may need some help.
Generally everything has to be in top condition

>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[safari57]

Rod,

Sounds like a good find. These are really nice wagons, you should enjoy it. Will we be seeing it at Lynden TCT next weekend?

My buddies dad used a 1969 Ford LTD to pull a 30 foot Airstream for several years and never a problem. As noted by others, trans cooler is good - if it is an older one consider putting a new one on as they tend to flow and disapate heat better than the earlier ones, and you may want to consider flushing the systems and replace with new fluids (antifreeze and also trans). It should be a 9" rear end so gear change is pretty straight forward if you don't have a good towing set. Lee may have a spare set of 3:50's so let me know and I can check with him if that is a ratio that would work for you. You had the Blazer so you know all the stuff, but one thing that seems to get forgotten is rear tires. You want to make sure they are good and the right load range. If they are elcheapo tires I'd encourage you to grenade them.

Barry

[72Blazerod]

Hey Barry,

Yep, I'm picking her up later this week. That means the 1978 Ford F350 is for sale. I'll check out the gear ratio when I pick it up. I'm going to change all the fluids, get new rear tires, and possibly air shocks (airbags) so I don't bottom out. I am putting the Hensley Arrow on the Sovereign later this month. That should help I hope. I'l post pics, when I get it.

Rod

P.S. It has Collector Plates on it already, so cheap insurance!

[safari57]

Wow, nice car. My dad's was green where yours is white but otherwise it's like old home week. He towed a very heavy SOB 19' single axle around with that car and other than a weight distribution hitch and careful packing he never had a problem. Look forward to seeing it in person at one of the events. Ah, yes, collector plates, a huge savings in insurance costs.

Barry

[Rodger with a D]

Hello All

When the Chrysler Corperation introduced the 413 in 1959 it had 470 pounds of torque at 2800 RPM's. In 1966 when the 440 showed up it had
480 at the same RPM's. The 429 cubed Caddy's had 480 when the engine
was at 3000 RPM's. It was not until after the 454 that a Chevy had more
torque than MoPar. At FoMoCo the 1968 429 had as much torque as the 1966 MoPar. For Linclon it took a 462 after 1966 to equal MoPar's Torque.

Motorcade Magazine used a 1965 4 dr Dodge Polara with a single exhaust 2 bbl 383 to pull a like year OverLander at 92 + MPH in a "Road Test" with the standard ratio ( non optional ) rear axle ( what a way to go camping ).

Rodger & Gabby
COS

[StingrayL82]

This was going to be the Sovereign's tow vehicle, a 1972 Chevrolet C-10 Highlander Suburban, with the 402cid/TH400. Fully loaded with front and rear A/C, auxilliary heater under the 2nd bench seat and Avocado Highlander cloth...sadly, I had to sell her a few months before we bought the Sovereign, so I could pay some of Sherri's health care bills that Tricare wouldn't cover.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by 72Blazerod

Hey Barry,

Yep, I'm picking her up later this week. That means the 1978 Ford F350 is for sale. I'll check out the gear ratio when I pick it up. I'm going to change all the fluids, get new rear tires, and possibly air shocks (airbags) so I don't bottom out. I am putting the Hensley Arrow on the Sovereign later this month. That should help I hope.

Gears should be, ideally, at 3.21/3.23 with no OD transmission. Those were GM and MOPAR towing gear ratios.

No airbags or airshocks. Stick with MOOG "Cargo Coils". Personally, I'd start by replacing ALL body-to-frame bushings and then start on steering and other suspension components. All new hoses, fasteners, filters, fluids. Completely new brake system (every single component). Rear anti-roll bar and increased size front bar (ADDCO). BILSTEIN shock absorbers Bilstein - KYB - Rancho - Monroe - Edelbrock Automotive Truck Shocks and Struts - Shockwarehouse.com

See if LEE POWER STEERING can provide you with a re-man power steering gearbox. Don't skimp here . . be really nice if you can go with a variable ratio box. Pay for the best on this item. Parts store boxes are UNACCEPTABLE.

I owned a '66 Ford wagon, every option. Soft suspension, mushy steering. Do every "handling" upgrade you can that is appropriate to towing.

ATF and PSF auxiliary coolers and filters as well.

[richie rich]

The '72 Burb is a station wagon on a truck frame.All the truck guts are there w/ no mods.The 350 is strong.Hard to find 3 door gets looks.All I did was tune it and buy 4 Uniroyal load range C tires on sale at Walmart.The barn doors make things easy too.

[Action]

Rod,

Axle ratio's for that year for all FLM products are;
2 = 2.75
3 = 2.79
4 = 2.80
6 = 3.00
7 = 3.10
9 = 3.25
A = 3.50
C = 3.08

Letters from K to W = limited slip axles.

I also invite you to the Mercury Forums at IMOA

>>>>>>>>>>>>Action