1971 Streamline questions...

[gmaof20]

I have gone all through my trailer and have not been able to find any owner manuals or liturature of any kind. I have checked out Tom's website and there is nothing there for a 1971. Does anyone know where I could buy a manual or any helpful literature?

How can I determine what model I have? The title lists it as "C". Does that mean anything?

I notice that many have the number on the upper front. Where do you locate the number?

I am pretty sure the tail lights are not the right ones, however, I can't seem to find a picture of the correct ones. Can anyone drop a link to a photo of the correct tailights? Is there anywhere to find these parts? I am aware that original parts are almost non existant, but hoping there is someone out there that has a set

And last...for now...I see a lot of pictures showing cars pulling these trailers. Are they really towable with a car...just askin'

Thanks all, for all the great advice...
Beth

[dmcummins]

Go to Toms site and look under the broshures and articles. There is a Manuel there. Also if you look at the floor plans and specification there you should be able to figure out the model. First measure from the coupler to the bumper.

Also the pics there should help.

[Airline]

Beth
try ebay.If there is nothing today,do a "save this search" and you will get an email if anything is listed.

[webspinner]

Originally Posted by gmaof20

And last...for now...I see a lot of pictures showing cars pulling these trailers. Are they really towable with a car...just askin'
Beth

Back in the early 70's the trailers were a lot lighter than the current ones and the cars were a heck of a lot heavier than modern ones, and had longer wheel bases. If you had a powerful car from 1971, it could pull your trailer.

[slowmover]

A current Dodge Charger or Chrysler 300 with a V8 would be fine. And a lot more competent than a Dodge Polara from 1971. While we would have used a REESE Dual Cam then, one is better off with a PRO PRIDE today (I have a Hensley Arrow, but the PP is the improved Jim Hensley design. The H/A, if found used, can be refurbished fairly cheaply).

I don't know if there is an owners manual. For the most part one received an information packet with appliance manuals, and some very general info about the trailer and how to hitch & tow.

What is worth looking for is an electrical schematic, as well as one of plumbing. Short of the OM, this will cover much that is critical.

Not sure what is meant by "number on upper front". Numbers often just had to do with clubs, not with the manufacturer.

As to tail-lights, GROTE or one of the other truck lighting catalogs may well have an LED combination that will fit the original space. I would look at taillights from the year previous and ALL years past yours. Post the available dimensions for tail light mounting.

1973 Ad

Looks like run/turn on outside, reverse center, and brake/run inside. Reverse lights can be mounted elsewhere might be my approach. Earlier S/L trailers had a big single squared lamp. A problem to solve to get out of the way, IMO, and keep the "resto" problem for a later date.

[gmaof20]

Work is seriously getting in the way of my fun! I hope to get to play with my trailer tomorrow!

[Ganaraska]

Sure they used to tow them with cars. For up to around a 15 foot almost any American car would do, just add a hitch. I remember going on vacation in the early sixties, with my folks, and 2 brothers in a 15 foot trailer towed by a 57 Ford sedan with six cylinder engine and 3 speed transmission. Pretty slow on hills but everyone expected that.

For the bigger models a full size car with big V8, trailer towing package, hitch mirrors and brake control and you were away. All car makers made trailer towing models but Pontiac and Ford were favored by the old timers. Personally I would take a Chrysler.

Those old pics of a full size sedan or wagon towing a 32 footer are not fakes, that was how it was done.

This came to an end when emmissions and gas mileage laws killed the big cars. In the late 70s vans were the preferred tow vehicle, you could still get the big motor and no pollution control. Then in the eighties SUVs Suburbans and pickup trucks.

Mind you in the fifties no one expected a trailer to travel as fast as the car traffic. In The Long Long Trailer (1954) Desi freaks out when Lucy gets up to 45 MPH lol. But by the early sixties you could buy very powerful motors even in Fords and Chevs that would tow at high speeds meaning 60 MPH to 70 MPH.

[Ganaraska]

The design of Streamline trailers did not change very fast. If you find info within a couple of years it should be applicable. The appliances came with their own manuals and were standard units made by leading manufacturers. So you could try looking up info for Dometic, Coleman etc as applicable.