Greetings Kevin!
--- In AirstreamList@yahoogroups.com, Kevin LaLonde <kevinlalonde@...> wrote:
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> Kevin, this is by far the best info on vintage car towing that I have ever read on this blog. Thank you. By the way how did you destroy the plastic fender spacer in the '75 Eldo? I have owned a '76 Eldo Conv for 18yrs and you have convinced me to tow only a dingy. Heck, it sounds like you need a trailer just to carry around the spare parts. Kevin
> 1968 AS GT
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Thank you for the compliment . . . I can get a bit wordy with replies, but that comes with the territory as a Business Education Teacher who specialized in Typewriting/Keyboarding. My experience with this, my second 1975 Eldorado (first was a coupe that I purchased in 1985), has restored my faith in the model (the first was laden with electrical and engine problems. You may find yourself in the situation that I was in as I purchased the Eldorado several years before I purchased my Airstream. I probably wouldn't have attempted towing with the Eldorado if I hadn't found a mechanic that was excellent with diagnosing problems on my Edlorado and could repair the problems so that the same problem wouldn't come back . . . except for one failure of a new alternator that had a factory defect . . . discovered when I was 200 miles into my trip to the International Rally in Bozeman, Montana. It was that trip that saw the disappearance of my fender extensions . . . the front extensions just seemed to melt from the comgined heat of the sun (100 plus degrees on that particular day) and the heat generated by the egine with the air conditioning running. The one rear extension failed on the trip back from Glacier National Park . . . I think that was the result of heat and vibration . . . four years later the last of the original fender extensions is failing and likely won't make it through the summer. My Eldorado has been with me 18 years, and I purchased it from the first owner's estate . . . it was a good driver withe typical deferred maintenance items that can be expected on a car over 15 years old.
When all of my extra spare parts for Vintage tow vehicle, and Vintage Airstream, the weight can mount up . . . and what makes it worse is that I must carry the spare tire in the trunk with the full-size spare for the Eldorado . . . I estimate that I have about 300 pounds of "stuff" in the Eldorado trunk . . . and probably carry about 75 pounds of parts for the Airstream in various cubbies throughout the trailer.
Have a Great Weekend!
Kevin
P.S.: Your 1976 Eldorado Convertible may have one option that would be beneficial that my 1975 doesn't have, and that is the optional factory fuel injection . . . it would make elevation changes less traumatic for the motor.
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member), Vintage Airstream Club #6359
1964 Overlander Land Yacht International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 VORTEC, 4.10 Differentials).
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (500 cubic inch V8, 2.70 final drive).
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