[VAC] Re: Suggested vintage tow vehicles ...NOT!

["jim clark" <jec1938@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I pulled a 50's 26 footer with a new 63 Mercury station wagon (390 V8 and
automatic) and if I wasn't paying attention, I could forget it was back
there....The combo (trailer and wagon) would travel at 70 with no issues and
would stop faster than the wagon could stop by itself with a load of tools
and other crap...As I remember the mileage was about 12 with the trailer and
16 or 18 without the trailer...( but with the other crap)  The 60's were
still the horsepower days and full frames under cars and wagons...As I
understand the recommendations of the Canadian dealer, they would consider
the 63 wagon a better puller than one of todays 150/1500 series
pickups...The only special on the wagon was a set of "Monroe Load-Leveler"
air shocks....There was no towing package on the wagon and as far as I
remember, no oil coolers etc... I may have had a trans cooler added, but the
memory is just foggy enough, I can't be sure...

As it has been pointed out, the problem is that even if in new condition,
the unit would be near 40 years old and a lot of strange things would be
breaking... just due to old age...My recommendation would be to go with a
modern truck... not because the old wagon couldn't do the job, but for the
reliability.... Unless you want to transport via commercial trailer, both
classic trailer and classic tow... that is done with a lot of antique stuff,
but I think would seem strange to most of the list...

Jim