[A/S] Re: Towing with a car

["overlander_64" <overlander64@xxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings Bill!

I have been in the process of preparing my '75 Cadillac Eldorado to 
tow my '64 Overlander (less fequent basis) and my '78 Minuet 6.0 
Metre (more fequent basis).  My Cadillac handles both trailers with 
relative ease, but I would feel more comfortable with a little more 
usable power with the Overlander.  The car has the 501 cubic inch V8, 
but is limited by its final drive ratio of 2.70 which is very 
difficult (but not impossible) to change - - with currently available 
parts, it would be possible to achieve a final drive of 3.50, but the 
price for the front wheel drive system modification is cost 
prohibitive.  

A Lincoln Continental from the time frame you mention should be 
capable of handling the 5,800 GVW trailer so long as it has the 
factory trailer tow package.  I believe that with the factory trailer 
tow package, the Continental, of the model mentioned, could be 
equipped to handle up to a 7,000 pound trailer - - if it is like the 
Ford's of similar vintage, a part of the package included the heavier 
frame found under the station wagons, higher rate (capacity) springs 
and shocks, a differential ratio of 3.90 or 4.10, heavy duty 
engine/transmission cooling, and usually a heavier 
alternator/generator.

Potential pitfalls as you evidently have surmised will be to find a 
car with the factory trailer tow package.  It would be possible to 
upgrade an existing car that is in good condition (as I have done 
with my Cadillac), but it can be quite difficult to source some 
parts.  As an example, my Cadillac has required a custom (4-row core) 
heavy duty radiator, new heavy duty Cargo Coil rear springs, heavy 
duty load leveler shocks (rear), Air-Lift spring inserts (rear), 
heavy duty gas-charged shocks (front), heavy duty (severe service) 
starter motor, high output alternator, custom dual exhaust system 
including dual catalytic converters, and a custom weld-up Reese 
receiver.  Finding a welder willing to fabricate the hitch was one of 
the most difficult tasks while finding a set of wheels for the car 
that weren't bent or out-of-true has been the most expensive 
modification.  With a Continental, you wouldn't likely face the 
bent/out-of-true wheel problem as I don't think that you would be 
dealing with wheels having a positive offset of 5.31" like the early 
front wheel drive Eldorado/Tornado possessed.

I have been pursuing this process for more than a year now, and hope 
to have the final round of modifications completed yet this fall.  
Since I have neither the knowledge nor the inclination to do the work 
myself, I have also had to source the professionals to perform the 
work hence the protracted time-frame for completion.  I am down to 
having some front suspension work (torsion bars and alignment issues) 
that should have the project near completion.

What you are proposing is quite possible.(IMHO)  The down side is 
that it will likely cost considerably more than you might initially 
estimate.  I truly enjoy the car as a tow vehicle, especially for my 
smaller Minuet - - it seems rather appropriate to have a large 
vintage automobile towing the trailer as in the trailer's youth.  I 
use the Reese Dual Cam Sway control system with both trailers, and 
have never experience any sway when towing with the car - - the 
Cadillac weighs in excess of 5,200 pounds so it isn't greatly 
outweighed by the trailer -- I think that the situation would be very 
similar with a '77 Continental.

Good luck with your decision!

Kevin