1979 International Harvester Scout

[crabbey1]

All I want is the perfect tow vehicle...

1. Not to long so that I can fit in and out of the driveway with the trailer.
2. Some back seat area for the dogs to travel.
3. 4 wheel drive to get in and out of fun camping spots
4. Some style preferably

That is it... Any help?

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by masseyfarm

What you need is a 68-72 Chev/GMC Longhorn, 3/4 for towing with the leaf spring suspension and heavier axle.

The Longhorn had a 8'6" box which would allow you to use an addon box mounted sleeper/canopy for the dogs. The 133"WB would give you great ride and handling.

Now you would be riding in style.



Chevrolet C/K - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I still have my original 67 GMC 1/2 in the yard with hopes of someday restoring it. They were great old trucks.

Dave

The '67-'72 body style is my favorite, but very expensive to buy. The '73-'86 body style is generally more affordable.

[Ganaraska]

Originally Posted by crabbey1

All I want is the perfect tow vehicle...

1. Not to long so that I can fit in and out of the driveway with the trailer.
2. Some back seat area for the dogs to travel.
3. 4 wheel drive to get in and out of fun camping spots
4. Some style preferably

That is it... Any help?

The only thing that fits your criteria is a 4wd minivan. If a full size station wagon is too long, a standard size pickup is just as long and a club cab is longer.

An SUV would work but not as stable as a minivan which has a longer wheelbase and lower center of gravity.

[mstephens]

I would go to a vintage rally and talk to people doing it. I recently learned a lot from some vintage AS folks. For one thing, they heavily modify these old TVs. For instance, it may look like a 1965 Chevy on the outside, but it has modern engine, trans, drive line installed underneath. The hot rod guys think nothing of doing such things. It's every day stuff for them. So, when you see those cool old TVs towing a cool old AS, "looks may be deceiving."

So, the Scout might be something that would be rebuilt with modern drive train, and then you could make it just right for towing. I've been amazed recently by what these hot rodders and vintage guys do.

[xrvr]

We had a 1960s era international pickup with 3 additional feet welded to the bed. We could not kill the thing. We always said it was too slow for a truck and too fast for a tractor. Someone may still be using it today?! Jim

[switz]

The Scouts were rust buckets in their sheet metal. I saw them at the factory already rusting inside the doors just outside they assembly line door in Ft Wayne, Indiana.

I had the longer wheel base Traveler with a diesel engine. The dealer insisted on a 4.10 rear end. At 60mph, the engine was nearly red lined.

They were built as trucks, so the amenities were few.

[noreen&sal]

Originally Posted by switz

The Scouts were rust buckets in their sheet metal. I saw them at the factory already rusting inside the doors just outside they assembly line door in Ft Wayne, Indiana.

I had the longer wheel base Traveler with a diesel engine. The dealer insisted on a 4.10 rear end. At 60mph, the engine was nearly red lined.

They were built as trucks, so the amenities were few.

The rust probably saved my life when I T-boned the junkie that cut in front of me when I was doing about 55-60 mph. The body actually broke off the chassis but not until I bent the steering wheel with my ribs and dented the steel dash with my knees. Sal

[rideair]

Here's a picture of one of my pullers. It's a 1968 International Travelall. Being 1/4 ton with the torsion bar suspension, it provides a great ride and very tight turning radius. With the 304 and auto, it gets me where I need to go, but not at a very fast pace.

The biggest problem if you want one of these is finding one that is not a rust bucket.

Enjoy,

[willapus]

I had one almost exactly the same. Mine had the 4sp manual with a wicked granny low. It was stout with a fully boxed frame, but I never really towed with it. The brakes on mine weren't great.

[m.hony]

I haven't seen one of those in this town since the 90's. An old Suburban is way more commonplace.

[m.hony]

Willapus got/had some cool rides!

[rideair]

Here's a picture of my other vintage tow. A 1962 Ford Galaxie, 390 4-speed. It's best to use it if the weather is not to hot and you don't have far to go. Since it only has a 20 gallon tank and very few miles to the gallon towing, after about 1 1/2 hours of driving you're looking for another gas station! So if you're trying to get some where fast, it's not the tow to take, but if you want to turn heads along the way, you'll enjoy the ride!

Enjoy,

[m.hony]

That is cool.

[TG Twinkie]

The IH Scout Traveller has a longer wheelbase than the Scout II.
I have the entire running gear from a 1980 Scout II installed in my 1946 Dodge 1/2 ton pickup.
It has a solid state ignition, Dana transmission and axles. Uses a Delco Remy alternator and starter.
It doesn't have much for rear suspension (really soft). Also solid front axle with leaf springs.
Disk brakes in front, drum brakes in the rear. Uses the same power brake vacuum booster as GM products.
I would not hesitate to tow something like a Casita or maybe a Boler. Not sure I would want to tow a 6,000 pound Argosy.