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**Action** · 01-05-2006, 04:53 PM

Bill,

The 70's was the last decade for big cars with big block engines. That is because the car companies did not retool for new engines that were designed for emmissions and better fuel efficiency untill the 80's and through the 90's. Towing or heavy job responsibility was shifted to trucks and later SUV's. The car no longer is used to that kind of job.

So what was done instead was the car companies took the existing (1960's and earlier designed) engines and added things to make them emmission compliant. This created so many driveablity issues (pinging, surging, hesitations) because the engine was not designed for all of the things that it was asked to do. (starting in CA for '66) So by the time the 70's came along the big blocks used in cars were choked down, untill big block engines in cars did not exist any more. In fact all of those engines are no more. Not because they were not up for the job of moving cars, people and towing trailers and running smoothly to boot. Because the government mandated any vehicles under 8500 GVW comply to emmission standards and later to CAFE. (Corporate Average Fuel Economy)

Ford big block product Examples that would have been used to tow:
The 460 in your late 70's Lincoln is not the same as the 460 in the over 8500 GVW truck. Or even the 460 of 1968 to 1971 in Lincolns.
The 400 lived a short life in the 70's only! And it was too sensitive to the emmission devices to make it a keeper in most vehicles. Pinging and surging.
The FE block 360/390/410/428 was taken out of cars all together in the 70's. It was too stinky. But it could pull big loads. So it was kept in trucks only for the 70's.

You have a big car with a big engine. And if you were to up the compression, increase the carb size to a CFM pre-1974, remove the smog stuff the change would be unreal. If you ever get the chance to tow with a late 1968 to 1970 Lincoln Continental with a 460, do it. I'm not saying the 70's should be avoided for a classic tow car. It's just one may have some driveability issues with using that era car for a tow rig even when it's in great condition. It is also an engine that has more items to break.

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igor · 02-15-2006, 09:05 PM

I do not know if it quite qualifies as classic but I tow with a '82 3/4 ton K20 Suburban, currently 350 (big block going in when I get it put together), sm465 4 speed, A/C but oddly does not have a tilt column.

Les

safari57 · 02-15-2006, 09:15 PM

We have been using our 1957 Pontiac Safari wagon as our tow vehicle for the last many years. From 1970 to 1979 we had a 70 Chevelle SS we always really liked and for my birthday my wife kindly bought me the twin to that car, completely blown apart and repainted and ready to be reassembled. A big jigsaw puzzle to play with. It should tow the Airstream just fine as an alternate to the '57 when we want A/C and just to drive something different yet still older (like us - but not too old). This is the twin to the car, mine is still in my shop in many bright red pieces. Barry

robandzoe · 02-15-2006, 09:20 PM

This is a vehicle we are going to go pick up this weekend. It'll be our tow vehicle eventually for our 1958 Sovereign of the Road

SYDTR!

moogie32 · 02-15-2006, 10:06 PM

Wow! That's one cool truck, Rob! Where did you find it - it looks relatively rust-free. Are those the original colors? Love that two tone....

Di

wkerfoot · 02-15-2006, 10:28 PM

Yeah, its ok for a cornbinder, but here is a real truck.

Bill

robandzoe · 02-16-2006, 05:47 AM

I found it through a fellow member - RideAir and WBCCI member Paul Waddell.

It is located in Douglas, Mass - and we are heading from here in Plymouth to Plattsburgh to Boston to get it this weekend... I have a bunch of parts to leave for Colin and the SOTR.

Rob

Craig T · 02-16-2006, 09:28 AM

Here is what we are using.

robandzoe · 02-22-2006, 09:33 AM

It is now home next to my dad's barn. Lots of work ahead!

**Action** · 02-22-2006, 11:55 AM

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh the love/hate of a new project!

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bjond · 03-02-2006, 08:40 AM

Just drove our new future tow truck home. Its a 1963 Chevy Suburban Carryall. I need install the hitch and will replace the engine and transmission and go back to more original looking wheels and tires. Will sell the 57 Chevy wagon now.

Mel · 03-02-2006, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbond

Just drove our new future tow truck home. Its a 1963 Chevy Suburban Carryall. I need install the hitch and will replace the engine and transmission and go back to more original looking wheels and tires. Will sell the 57 Chevy wagon now.

Herb, I'm so jealous. My father found a '66 in the exact same color in a lot near him, and emailed me several pictures. We went to the lot on Sunday to take a look - it was gone. Probably for the best, as if it was there, I'm sure we would have left with it (and are running out of room as it is!). Could you please post some more pictures so I can live vicariously through you?

safari57 · 03-02-2006, 01:30 PM

Herb - that sure looks like a neat suburban. I like them a lot. I thought it was illegal to sell anything 1957 and particularly a wagon. That's what I've told my wife now for 26 years......

Mel - I notice there's a '63 in the BC Buy and Sell if anyone is interested. I believe it's www.buysell.com and it was in two week ago Vancouver issue. Said it's a WA unit so wonder if it is the same one you were going to look at? I just looked and did not see it on line so it may have been sold, but there were three '72's (http://www.buysell.com/search/result...d=3546&id=3560) BC is darned close to you and your exchange rate makes buying a vehicle here a better deal.

Barry

Mel · 03-02-2006, 01:42 PM

Hi Barry,

Thanks for the tip! I will add that site to my list of ones I am checking. You're right - BC is an easy trip for us. We're in the early stages of looking, and having a lot of fun doing so!

bjond · 03-02-2006, 06:50 PM

I just uploaded a few more pictures of our "new" suburban to the photo area of this forum as requested.

kdenault · 03-02-2006, 06:56 PM

I'm on the cusp of purchasing a '65 Overlander--my first AS!!

And as usual I'm doing it all backwards--ya know, purchase the AS and then purchase something to tow it with!! (I just couldn't help myself).

Seriously, I do not have a tow vehicle currently. My plan is to purchase a tow vehicle that has that primary purpose--it will not be used as my daily commutation vehicle. So, why not purchase a vintage tow?!

That being said, I've become just infatuated with the concept of using a vintage tow vehicle and I've been looking around and have read this thread with much interest. My concern is that I will towing the AS from the Philly area to FL and back 3 times a year for the next two years (for grad school long weekend residency requirements), not to mention any other traveling I might want to do.

My question is, is a vintage tow vehicle a reasonable choice for that kind of long-distance traveling? And, if so, what type of vehicle would be better able to handle it?

Kathy

wkerfoot · 03-02-2006, 08:01 PM

Kathy,

I believe that a vintage tow vehicle is a reasonable choice. I have two, a 1973 Dodge W200 Powerwagon and a 1977 Lincoln Continental. We drove the Lincoln from So Cal to Tampa last year and picked up our new 1954 Double Door Liner and towed it back - 5,605 miles total with absolutely no problems. Like any other tow vehicle, you must make sure that it is in good shape and you will need to add a transmission cooler and perhaps a heavier radiator. The Lincoln has all the comfort you could want as well as the cool factor. The Dodge will go anywhere a newer truck will, but the suspension is very stiff.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Bill

kdenault · 03-02-2006, 08:22 PM

Bill, thanks for the feedback. What types of things should i be looking for in a good vintage tow vehicle (engine type, truck/car, 2WD/4WD, etc.) that could tow the Overlander? Are there cars that I should avoid? I think i might want something from the mid 60's (but not sure). I also think I like the look of a vintage pickup, travelall, wagoneer, or something like that. Right now I'm just kind of exploring different vintage car options. Any other advice would be helpful?
Kathy

wkerfoot · 03-02-2006, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdenault

Bill, thanks for the feedback. What types of things should i be looking for in a good vintage tow vehicle (engine type, truck/car, 2WD/4WD, etc.) that could tow the Overlander? Are there cars that I should avoid? I think i might want something from the mid 60's (but not sure). I also think I like the look of a vintage pickup, travelall, wagoneer, or something like that. Right now I'm just kind of exploring different vintage car options. Any other advice would be helpful?
Kathy

Kathy,

The 1965 Overlander has a dry weight of about 4,000 lbs, your gross would be 5,000 to 5,500 lbs. I don't know what you want, but in the 1970's trailers were pulled with cars, mainly the full sized, they had the large engines, up to 500 CI, strong transmissions and large frames (except for Chrysler which mainly used unibody along with the 1960's Lincolns, not that they won't work, just need a good hitch installer). Pickup trucks in the 1970's and earlier were work vehicles with a minimum of creature conforts. My Dodge was top of the line, no power windows, seats or mirrors, but automatic transmission and air conditioning.

Vehicles from the 1960's and earlier will probably need upgrades to the engine, trans and brakes. Some of the Vintage Airstream Club rally reports show vintage tow vehicles also. If you are near Washington DC stop by the Cherry Blossom Rally, I am sure that you will see vintage tow vehicles as well as vintage trailers.

Bill

kdenault · 03-04-2006, 05:57 PM

Having just purchased a '65 Overlander, I'm now looking around for a cool vintage tow vehicle. I'm leaning towards something like a late 60's early 70's International Harvester Travelall. They have a V8. Would it be able to handle a wet weight of around 5500lbs as a tow? (PS, this vehicle will be used only for towing, but it will need to tow long-distances-1,000 miles one -way and back again-a few times a year). If the Travelall is not a good choice, does any one have any other suggestions for good strong tow vehicle that may have a similar look? I like that early SUV look.

Kathy