Towing info

Streamline Message Board: Message Board Postings: Towing info
By philip del hagen on Tuesday, September 26, 2000 - 09:31 pm:

I was wondering if any one could give me some info on towing 1962 royal rover? I have 1972 chinook{con version van}with a 307 engine and a G.V.W. of 6000 pounds.I have been unable to get weight info on trailer.But would like to use the van to tow it with.

By flytyer on Thursday, September 28, 2000 - 02:22 pm:

Could anybdy please give me some info,on towing 28foot empress. I have a 1972 chevy 20{conversion} van with 307 engine and a G.V.W. of 6000lb`s.If at all possible I would really like to keep the van, since I just purchased it.THANK YOU.

By philip del hagen on Thursday, September 28, 2000 - 02:27 pm:

Could anybdy please give me some info,on towing 28foot empress. I have a 1972 chevy 20{conversion} van with 307 engine and a G.V.W. of 6000lb`s.If at all possible I would really like to keep the van, since I just purchased it.THANK YOU.

By ww1 on Thursday, September 28, 2000 - 09:27 pm:

First, find out the weight and length. Remember you only have a 307. So you have a 1/2 rear end, light duty bearings and light duty brakes. What gear ratio do you have? Do you have a transmission cooler? How about size of radiator? Electric brake controller? You gotta be able to stop the weight also. Weight distribution hitch? LT tires, NOT passenger tires. I wouldn't go over probably 4000lbs in total weight of trailer, including all the stuff you plan to put in it.A conversion van weighs more than the standard van because they put more stuff in it. EVERY OUNCE adds your C.G.V.W. (combined gross vehicle weight, adding the van and the trailer)) and lowers your safe towing capacity. the G.V.W. means your van should not weigh more than 6000lbs when you put all the stuff you want into it including all the people.That is it's safe capacity including it and all that goes in. When you read towing capacities of vehicles, it's based on 2 people of average size. If you add people, subtract from the towing capacity. Best way to know your trailer weight is take it to the scales. also, get a pen and paper,write out EVERY item you would put in it to take, WEIGH those items, add it up. You'd be suprised. Remember water weighs 8.3 lbs per gallon. I have a friend that kept blowing tires on his motorhome. Once we figured out he was carrying 7 people and all their stuff, we figured he was over 4000 lbs overweight! Hope that helps....

By Carrie Wilder on Sunday, November 04, 2001 - 08:06 pm:

Hi Tom,I will be aquiring a late 60's Streamline trailer from a storage yard that just wants it outta there.I have a '56 Mercury wagon with a 312V8.Would there be any problem towing this trailer? It looks like its about 16-18 feet,it's a medium size,smaller than the Countess's I've been seeing alot of around here.Thanks,Carrie

By Tom Patterson on Sunday, November 11, 2001 - 05:31 am:

It is possible, but you need to know what the Mercury wagon is rated to tow, and for sure, you would need a weight distributing hitch.

By MikeKinney on Monday, November 12, 2001 - 09:04 pm:

HMMM COOL That should make a great combination. The 292/312 series Ford should be able to handle it but as Tom said a weight distributing hitch is in order. Also these Mercs came with a weak cooling system. Your local mechanic can make some recommendations add elect fan, larger radiator core etc. If the trans is an automatic it can have an air cooled torque converter or may have cooling lines going into the radiator. If it has cooling lines a seperate transmission cooler can be installed. This might even help lighten the load on the radiator a little. Good luck and happy towing.
Mike