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Old 10-26-2010, 09:46 AM   #1
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1959 18' "Footer"
1964 26' Overlander
birmingham , Alabama
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Anyone tow with a Mid-seventies Suburban?

Looking at a mid-seventies bare bones suburban for a TV for our '64 Overlander.

350ci, auto, 4wd, etc,etc

anybody have an guess on mpg towing? currently using a E150 with 5.4l and getting 8-8.5 mpg!!!
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Old 10-26-2010, 10:06 AM   #2
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Years ago I towed with a '74 Chevrolet 3/4 ton pickup, 350, auto, 4.10 gears, 2wd, and it did the job handily. However, those were carburated engines, and the fuel mileage was not good. I do not remember the numbers off hand, but seems it was simular to your Ford van. I was towing a 24' Argosy at the time.
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Old 10-26-2010, 01:08 PM   #3
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1998 19' Bambi
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Mid 70's towed 23ft Square Box with 72 Blazer K10 4x4 350cid 3:53 axle no emmisions (super strong brute) ... Fla,NC,Va,ME, Maritimes CN,Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain NP,Glaicer NP and a lot more etc ran great when I sold it at 165,000 miles ....mileage towing 8 ............ 6 mountains.. but gas was much less then....
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Old 10-26-2010, 03:03 PM   #4
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The mileage probably won't be much different from what you're getting, but you might convert it to fuel injection and do better. It will certainly get you down the road.

Stephen
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Old 10-26-2010, 04:07 PM   #5
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1993 34' Limited
Ten Mile (near Knoxville) , Tennessee
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Yes I do but brakes, comfort and mileage suffer compared to modern units. We use ours on short trips when we want to look like we are 40 years late to the party............ I enjoy it but I am usually out voted by the creature comfort contingent. We do have a newer Suburban that is used most of the time.

1972' K20 Suburban w/350, 4:10 rear and GV over/underdrive.
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Old 10-26-2010, 04:56 PM   #6
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1963 24' Tradewind
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I tow with a '74 1/2 ton p/u with a 350. It gets about 10mpg towing my '63 tradewind. A suburban would probably get slightly less with it's extra weight and 4-wheel drive.
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Old 10-26-2010, 05:04 PM   #7
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1973 27' Overlander
Loganville , Georgia
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I have been checking Craiglist looking for a Suburban, Durango or something similar. I want something that has a solid trans, engine and rear end. I really do not care what it looks like in the inside or outside. As long as it works. We will be pulling a 1960 Overlander with it. Price is the big issue.

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Old 10-26-2010, 06:30 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 59er View Post
Looking at a mid-seventies bare bones suburban for a TV for our '64 Overlander.

350ci, auto, 4wd, etc,etc

anybody have an guess on mpg towing? currently using a E150 with 5.4l and getting 8-8.5 mpg!!!

It won't be any better, especially with 4WD. If you can find mpg numbers for the truck at 55 mph from the era, deduct 30-40% from that as a baseline (true even today).

You're much better with a modern truck just from the standpoint of reliability. I like old cars and have rebuilt them and used as daily drivers. But towing is a whole other set of strains. Start with new electrical harnesses, engine, dash, body would be my advice. Completely new cooling system, upgraded, is second. And a custom built T400 (not T350) transmission is third.

Good luck

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