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Ganaraska · 02-23-2010, 11:07 AM

For laughs I have been looking at ads for Rolls Royce cars. There are some great buys out there if you look at models from the 80s and 90s.

Here is a typical example, a 1987 Silver Spirit sedan with 57000 miles on it for only $21500. There are other examples on offer for $15000 or even less.

Rolls Royce 1987 Silver Spirit--GORGEOUS! 57,000 miles

This is a heavy powerful V8 car that should handle any Airstream with ease.

So what do you think? Has anyone ever towed their Airstream with a Rolls?

Road Ruler · 02-23-2010, 11:35 AM

Extreme quiet and comfort.

Doesn't get much better than that for cruising the roadways.

Since I enjoy driving and towing the bullet I would pass on the idea of a chauffeur.

That Rolls is one beautiful piece of craftsmanship!

PS... Back in high school our chemistry teacher owned and drove a Rolls to school.

irshmerc · 02-23-2010, 11:45 AM

Hi lads, how ya doing
That sure is a pretty motor, and even at US gas prices it's gonna be costing a fortune to move.
Good luck
Pete

Ganaraska · 02-23-2010, 12:12 PM

I understand it will burn a lot of gas but let's be reasonable. Weight requires power to move it. If you want to tow a 31 foot trailer that weighs 5000 pounds or more you need a suitable tow vehicle.

The Rolls Royce is comparable in size, weight and power to the large American cars (that are no longer being made) used to tow Airstreams in the 50s and 60s.

Also similar in size to the Suburbans and pickup trucks used these days.

Do you know what kind of mileage the Rolls Royce gets? I assume it would compare to American vehicles of similar size and weight, 15 to 18 MPG when towing.

Road Ruler · 02-23-2010, 12:22 PM

This 2006 gets 13 MPG combined and weighs 5,577lbs.
Engine: V12, 450HP/530TQ
Wheelbase 140 inches.

If that silver beauty doesn't look good leading and Airstream nothing does.

jjustice · 02-23-2010, 12:33 PM

OK you have my attention! I love that silver beauty! It could even tow my Argosy and I would not complain. LOL

I was in Real Estate in the early 80s in South Florida. I was just trying out the industry just as interest rates went from 16% to 14%. I shared an office desk with another Real Estate agent, a woman of "means" and high end clients in the office. She spent on day ordering her Rolls. It would be fun to own one. [smile]

rluhr · 02-23-2010, 01:04 PM

An associate of mine is planning to do the same thing as soon as he gets his Airstream (he already has the Rolls). I've talked to a few Rolls Royce owners, and uniformly they say:

-- If you have to ask about the fuel economy you can't afford it. 15-18 towing? Not a chance. Most of these cars don't even get that when they are solo.

-- Maintenance is a huge expense and there are few people capable of doing it. Specialized tools are often required. Have a fully-equipped Rolls mechanic picked out before you buy, and do plenty of research in advance.

-- It's all about the bling. A 1980s-era Rolls isn't better than a current model tow vehicle, but you sure will get a lot of attention!

-- Don't expect to find a tow hitch that will fit the car off-the-shelf. Do you have a custom hitch installer that can fabricate one for you?

This isn't to dissuade you. I think you'd have a helluva sparkly combo. Just go in with your eyes wide open.

nswhite · 02-23-2010, 01:18 PM

Would a Rolls pickup work better?

Silverhobby · 02-23-2010, 01:24 PM

A pic of a 1960 unpolished Avion with unidentified year Rolls.

StingrayL82 · 02-23-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganaraska

...Do you know what kind of mileage the Rolls Royce gets? I assume it would compare to American vehicles of similar size and weight, 15 to 18 MPG when towing.

If it's anything like the '89 XJS I abandoned in Monterey (5.7 V12), you can count on 10MPG.

I'll stick to American cars....less electrical problems, unless the Brits have solved that problem with their cars.

WBCCI9898 · 02-23-2010, 01:47 PM

how does a Jag compare....

StingrayL82 · 02-23-2010, 01:59 PM

While mine may have had the engine power, it only had a TH350 transmission (stock item, BTW) backing it up, and I defintely wouldn't have wanted to try and tow with it...I don't think the rear gears were very stout either. My XJS had the Lucas ignition system and it had a nasty habit of throwing out sparks every so often (a common problem for those models)...not a good thing, especially when it was so close to the fuel rail (the Magneti Marelli ignition supposedly solved that problem). My water pump leaked sporadically too. Oh yeah, the fuel tank had a hole in it, caused by rubbing on a rivet, which protruded through the trunk from the underside.

Maybe Jags got better, after Ford bought them, I dunno, but I wouldn't own another....mine was still sitting where I abandoned it, in Monterey, as of 2006.

I don't know if that pic is of your rig, but I'd be mighty worried if I had to brake suddenly.

Airslide · 02-23-2010, 02:04 PM

Maybe a bit of Ol school is in order..

The creation of the Rolls Pickup Truck

Denis4x4 · 02-23-2010, 03:32 PM

I actually looked in to buying an extremely clean 1988 RR with a bad engine for less than $10,000. Did some online digging and found a guy in Ohio that would install a 350/400R Chevy and dump the hydraulic suspension for $18,000. Very tempting.

Road Ruler · 02-23-2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WBCCI9898

how does a Jag compare....

A few years back at the Toronto RV show Can Am was showing a similar Jag/Airstream. Being the curious type I asked Mr. T how it towed. He replied "It was to best TV/combination he had ever driven". Considering the man drives 5 to 8?? different combination's weekly that says a lot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StingrayL82

I don't know if that pic is of your rig, but I'd be mighty worried if I had to brake suddenly.

Jags have very short stopping distances with high performance braking systems. Based on my experience towing with a similar vehicle braking is exceptional.

StingrayL82 · 02-23-2010, 06:49 PM

Maybe a smaller trailer, but a 34' triple axle????

That's too gutsy for me.

airstreamjudy · 02-23-2010, 06:59 PM

I had a RR many years ago and have had 2 Jag's. The big issue is: parts & mechanic.
I would still be driving any one of my past if my mechanic did not retire and disappear.
When he retired I went to American only. With a RR or a Jag you almost always have a second car to rely on. As is said "been there and done that".
Then again, maybe I'll take a lookie at the RR gig again (after speaking with my mechanic). What a great rig that would be.

bredlo · 02-23-2010, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganaraska

So what do you think? Has anyone ever towed their Airstream with a Rolls?

If I recall correctly, one of the most commonly overheard comments about our trailers is, "Oh brother - only snobby millionaires own those."
So allow me to give you a sense of the gravity of what you're suggesting:

You will be single-handedly unraveling YEARS of careful, calculated massaging of our public image by thousands of Airstreamers who've been shunned by society.

You'll DESTROY an entire grassroots campaign meant to spread the truth; that we're just down to earth folks.

And for every mile you drive with your little Rolls, know that you'll be stirring the souls of the anti-elitists, who give judgmental stares and cold shoulder treatments to your friends. Your poor, salt of the earth, fellow, aluminum-loving friends.

So thanks a HEAP, Ganaraska!

safari57 · 02-23-2010, 08:37 PM

I can't confirm this but I was told by a fellow who was looking at one that he'd been told a brake job, all four wheels, was three grand (Canadian) so about 80 bucks US

. He was intending to hot rod it, but had wanted to maintain the original suspension, brakes, electronics, just wanted to put a big block Chevy in it and lower it a tad. I don't know if he ever follow through but I thought at the time that it would be a fun thing to do.

If you are up to it you should go for it. If you get it for the right price and aren't happy you can sell it off again and in the meantime have some fun. And if you really like it you may be setting a trend. Get a sliver one if you can.......

Ganaraska · 02-24-2010, 09:36 AM

About 10 years ago I read an article in an English car magazine. A company in England was repowering Rolls Royces with Chev 6.2 diesels.

The engine bolts up to the stock TurboHydro transmission. People were buying cheap cars that had bad engines and having them done. Apparently the main market was horse owners who wanted a classy car to tow a horse trailer.