On Jul 13, 2012, at 7:33 PM, AirstreamList@yahoogroups.com wrote:
> b. Re: Need a vehicle to pull a 1967 Overlander
> Posted by: "KevinA" overlander_64@yahoo.com overlander_64
> Date: Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:45 am ((PDT))
>
> Greetings!
>
> --- In AirstreamList@yahoogroups.com, "NANCY NELSON" <njnelson@...>
> wrote:
>>
>> I am finally ready to purchase a vehicle to pull my airstream.
>> Can anyone suggest a vintage car capable of pulling it? I think
>> the weight is listed as 5500 pounds in the manual. I really don't
>> want to purchase a 3/4 ton truck, but I will if there isn't a
>> reliable car that can to the job. I'm open to suggestions. Thanks.
>>
> There are any number of possibilities when it comes to Vintage
> automobiles that would be capable of towing your Overlander. The
> one caution that I would add is that preparation cost increases
> significantly if the car was produced in the pre-low-lead gasoline
> era. Starting in 1970 and later, the motors in new cars were
> equipped with hardened steel inserts to prevent valve recission.
> It is possible to "convert" an earlier motor by having a machine
> shop install hardened valve seats, but the process can become quite
> expensive. Beyond that, the primary factor to look for is the full-
> size family automobile with the largest V8, such as: GM -- 454,
> 500, 472; Chrysler Corporation -- 440, 426, 383, 361; Ford Motor
> Company -- 460, 390, 400. Some vehicles in this class would
> include: .........<snip> .........
Hey Kevin,
Awesome reply. You hit the nail on the head. Thanks for spelling it
out so clearly. My wife and I have caravanned with you. I recall
arriving at one highly regarded dealership only to find you there
searching for parts - while I was knee deep in searching for
specialized service.
We have seen your technical knowledge and digital wizardry
demonstrated in ways unrelated to any of your vintage vehicles. Your
memory for details continues to astonish us. Thanks for the
encouraging and realistically practical reply to Nancy. I'm sure
others on the Airstream list will offer additional perspectives.
Hi Nancy,
There are other factors you may want to consider if you become an
owner of a Vintage tow vehicle.
1 - If you ever thought towing a Vintage Airstream brought more
attention upon you, then be ready for doubling the attention you will
have to endure if your tow vehicle is also Vintage.
2 - If you ever thought owning as Vintage Airstream meant you would
become exquisitely knowledgeable about where to find Airstream parts
and service, then be ready for doubling that knowledge if your tow
vehicle is also Vintage.
You can see where this kind of thinking is going. Now add at least a
dozen more sentences beginning with "If you ever thought...." and
that's only the tip of the iceberg.
On a different slant - one of the most crucial concepts to consider
is unrelated to either of your vintage vehicles. It begins something
like this:
If you and your mate ever thought ........
You can see where that one is going. <grin>
My wife and I have been towing Vintage Airstreams with Vintage Tow
Vehicles for the bulk of our 56 years of married life. We started out
exploring the North American continent and ended up becoming full
timers for 20 years (1989-2009). It's a fun filled adventure filled
with unbridled enthusiasm and joyful camaraderie with friends and
acquaintances sharing a similar lifestyle.
In case you didn't read between the lines, there is one very
noticeable disadvantage to owning ALL Vintage. It's VERY LIKELY
you'll end up with vehicles which are showroom or near showroom
condition. Likewise, they tend to become ingrained within a family
and rarely sold. Of course, there are exceptions - aren't there?
Go Vintage !!
Terry
'67 22' Safari w/2 solar panels & inverter
'87 Suburban 6.2 diesel w/factory trailer towing pkg
'89 32' Excella w/4 solar panels & inverter
'78 Ford Van E-250 & 460 V8 w/factory trailer towing pkg
'75 Mercury Colony Park & 460 V8 w/factory trailer towing pkg
This site is not sponsored by or affiliated in any way with Airstream Inc, Thor Inc, or the WBCCI.
0 comments:
Post a Comment