Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-21-2004, 09:15 PM   #1
3 Rivet Member
 
whistler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 121
Images: 9
vintage tow vehicle

I was just wondering if anyone with a vintage A/S has a vintage tow vehicle to go along with it? I have one and saw roger-n-cindy posted 2 photos earlier. Anyone else out there?

whistler
whistler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2004, 09:34 PM   #2
Moderator Emeritus
 
overlander64's Avatar
 
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna , Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,708
Images: 194
Send a message via Yahoo to overlander64
vintage tow vehicle

Greetings Whistler!

I have two vintage tow vehicles. One, was my first tow vehicle and is in need of some restoration before it hits the road again which it will sometime in the not too distant future. It is pictured with my first trailer (purchased new) a 1980 Nomad Light 18':



It is a 1965 Dodge Coronet 500 Convertible with 383 cubic inch V8, 335 HP, 3.90 differential, and all of the heavy duty trailering features. I have owned this car since 1973, and it will probably stay with me for a few more decades.

My second tow vehicle is a little better match for my Airstream as it weighs in at about 5,000 pounds. It is a 1975 Cadillac Eldorado convertible with the 500 cubic inch V8 and 2.70 final drive, with heavy duty upgrades for towing. It will be towing my Minuet to the WBCCI Rally in Lansing, MI this summer if all goes well. It is pictured with the Overlander after its introductory towing experience (200 miles - - Cedar Falls, IA to the Quad Cities in Illinois).



Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
overlander64 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2004, 09:36 PM   #3
Rivet Master
 
47WeeWind's Avatar
 
1948 16' Wee Wind
1953 21' Flying Cloud
Denver , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,169
Images: 20
Vintage tow vehicles

My newest vehicle, a 1970 Dodge 3/4 ton 4X4 truck with an enclosed utility body, is for sale. So my next newest vehicle, a 1968 Dodge W300 (1 ton 4X4) truck with a low side utility body, will soon become the main tow vehicle for the 1964 19' Globe Trotter. This summer I hope to tow the 16' Wee Wind with my 1962 Willys Utility Wagon (Ford 302 V-8, 4.27 axles and T-90 3 speed with Warn overdrive), and with the 1947 Dodge 1 ton Power Wagon when our Denver Unit attends the Yuma, CO. old thresher's meet this coming September. I'll probably need a kidney transplant after that last trip.
__________________
Fred Coldwell, WBCCI #1510, AIR #2675
Denver, Colorado - WBCCI Unit 24
Airstream Life "Old Aluminum"
Airstream Life
"From the Archives"
47WeeWind is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 04:41 AM   #4
4 Rivet Member
 
1986 32' Excella
vledder , drenthe
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 411
Images: 8
will be towing with my 1957 Imperial
hope the old 392 hemi will do the job
remcolent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 06:52 AM   #5
3 Rivet Member
 
Levon's Avatar
 
1981 22' Excella II
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Colbert , Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: 1948 22' Liner
Posts: 201
Images: 168
Greetings,
I use a 51 F1 Ford Pickup in the summer time because a heater was an option back then and it didn't have one. It's an off the frame restoration with the orignal V-8 Flathead engine. It pulls good at 50 mph, but dosn't do mountains...works fine for me here in Georgia.
My other tow rig is a 48 John Deere M tractor. I use it on the farm and to move trailers from time to time.
Levon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 07:02 AM   #6
Just an old timer...
 
85MH325's Avatar

 
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton , Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,760
Images: 37
Quote:
Originally posted by Levon
Greetings,
I use a 51 F1 Ford Pickup in the summer time because a heater was an option back then and it didn't have one. It's an off the frame restoration with the orignal V-8 Flathead engine. It pulls good at 50 mph, but dosn't do mountains...works fine for me here in Georgia.
My other tow rig is a 48 John Deere M tractor. I use it on the farm and to move trailers from time to time.
Wow... Levon!

My very first 'car' was a '50 F1 Ford pickup (in 1971, by the way) that came off a ranch in Nebraska. I think it had about 40,000 on it then, and a new snowball white paintjob over the mint green! It also had the flathead V-8 with the oilbath air cleaner. I think that it must have been the deluxe model though, as it came from the factory WITH a heater, ONE windshield wiper (drivers' side; the hole where the other, optional wiper would have been had a chrome cap), ONE sunvisor (driver's side), and a passenger's side outside door lock keyway (the driver's side just locked from inside). I never should have sold 'er <sigh>

What a great hauler she'd have been for a vintage trailer today!

Roger
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
85MH325 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 08:59 AM   #7
Moderator
 
Stefrobrts's Avatar

 
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,253
Images: 50
Blog Entries: 1
Awsome old Fold pickup! I love those guys. They just look so right.

The previous owner of my trailer had a 68 pickup, I think it was a ford. He siad he took them to the international one year as a matching set. We came pretty close to buying it for a tow vehcile, as we didn't have one at the time, but then decided vacations would be more fun with the comfort and reliability of something new.

I think something like a mid 50's four door chevy station wagon would be pretty cool to tow with. I'm not holding my breath for one of those to come along though.

So Whistler, you started this thred - what's your vintage vehicle?
__________________
Stephanie




Stefrobrts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 09:04 AM   #8
3 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 184
Images: 55
Steph,

Funny you should mention that. I actually have my eye on a 57 4 door Chevy wagon to restore (its a basket case, but all trim pieces are there).

Old style styling, drop a new 502 and OD tranny in it and roll!



Tripp
Tripp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 10:58 AM   #9
1 Rivet Member
 
1987 25' Sovereign
Signal Mountain , Tennessee
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 10
Quote:
Originally posted by Levon
Greetings,
I use a 51 F1 Ford Pickup in the summer time because a heater was an option back then and it didn't have one. It's an off the frame restoration with the orignal V-8 Flathead engine. It pulls good at 50 mph, but dosn't do mountains...works fine for me here in Georgia.
My other tow rig is a 48 John Deere M tractor. I use it on the farm and to move trailers from time to time.
Levon,That sure is a good looking truck you have. I know a guy that had one that looked like it's twin. When you get your mid- winter project done see how the truck will pull it. I bet they will really look good together.
James Witt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 01:56 PM   #10
Moderator
 
Stefrobrts's Avatar

 
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,253
Images: 50
Blog Entries: 1
Quote:
Originally posted by Tripp
Steph,
Funny you should mention that. I actually have my eye on a 57 4 door Chevy wagon to restore (its a basket case, but all trim pieces are there).
Old style styling, drop a new 502 and OD tranny in it and roll!
Tripp
Yeah, that would be cool. The nice thing about those Chevys is that they are popular enough that you could buy pretty much anything you need for them. You could practically build one out of a catalog. I'll bet you could even mail order a new frame if you needed it. Just pick up a Street Rodder mag and check it out. I used to just drool over the goodies available for them!
__________________
Stephanie




Stefrobrts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 04:29 PM   #11
4 Rivet Member
 
1986 32' Excella
vledder , drenthe
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 411
Images: 8
found this pic of my tow car
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	imperial.jpg
Views:	645
Size:	99.4 KB
ID:	4522  
remcolent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 04:52 PM   #12
3 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 184
Images: 55
remcolent,

Very cool! I love how a lot of people on this forum have the same "gearhead" mentality! Its not just the trailer, but the whole package!

My dad and I were talking today about buying a "radio bodied" 101 Forward Control Land Rover and stripping/polishing it to be a pull vehicle/off roader. Big Tires, strong axles, loads of room for a diesel conversion, loads of space, 2 1/2 ton capacity. Too much fun!

I need a "stable" of cars! I don't think my wife would let me kick her Tennessee Walkers out of the barn though!

Tripp
Tripp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 04:58 PM   #13
Rivet Monster
 
wahoonc's Avatar

 
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak , North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
Images: 40
Quote:
Originally posted by Tripp
I need a "stable" of cars! I don't think my wife would let me kick her Tennessee Walkers out of the barn though!

Tripp
Tripp,
You got those too? We have some friends that have Tennessee Walkers and are trying to get us hooked. We got the cars just no stable for them...yet

Aaron
wahoonc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 05:07 PM   #14
4 Rivet Member
 
1986 32' Excella
vledder , drenthe
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 411
Images: 8
land rover that is build in the UK
its the same as with the triumph motor cycles
if they are not leaking oil there is no oil left
they are almost worse than the italian cars
piza great
pasta exelent
lasagna can't be better
BUT DON'T TRY TO MAKE CARS
remcolent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 05:21 PM   #15
3 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 184
Images: 55
Aaron,

Yep, currently have 4 of them. The wife shows regularly. Lots of fun, and beautiful to see move.

Remcolent,

Know all about the leaking motors, and the "prince of darkness" Lucas electronics! Get one running good though and they'll take you some interesting places. Been up many a hill that my Jeep buddies couldn't tackle with my series 1 Disco I used to own. Miss that car. Pulled out a H1 Hummer that got stuck too! Nearly tore my plate steel winch bumper off doing that one!!

Tripp
Tripp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 05:24 PM   #16
4 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 261
Images: 14
Vintage Tow vehicle

I tow my 63 Globetrotter with a 57 Chevy Townsman wagon. It's OK for 100 miles or so but probably would have trouble in the mountains. This is a picture of the pair at Mystic Springs Airstream Park when we served as park host in November.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	chevyglobe.jpg
Views:	595
Size:	67.0 KB
ID:	4523  
bjond is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 05:57 PM   #17
3 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 184
Images: 55
jbond,

Very nice! That's exactly the model I've been eyeing for some time. Is it all original set up, or did you modify the drivetrain, etc?


Tripp
Tripp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 06:43 PM   #18
4 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 261
Images: 14
Its original and unrestored. Somehow it survived in good condition. It has a 283 V8, PS, Powerglide and factory AC.
bjond is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 07:33 PM   #19
3 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 184
Images: 55
Unbelievable! Nice car!

Tripp
Tripp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2004, 08:16 PM   #20
Creampuff
 
Creampuff's Avatar
 
2022 27' Flying Cloud
2016 25' International
Airstream - Other
Malibu , California
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 526
Images: 60
Thumbs up

Hey JBond ,how ever did you get the wife to agree on taking out the walls of the house like that so you could fulltime indoors??
Cool car I've got a 1950 Pontiac Sedan Delivery back in Canada that I hope to get in front of the A/S someday. Sorry no pics.
__________________
Murray
AIR #189

"If aluminum isn't magnetic- why am I so attracted to to it?"
Creampuff is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:51 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.