[george kujanski]

I used to tow a 15` outboard boat and 5 people in my 67 Lemans Sprint 3 speed manual. Didn`t have a problem IIRC.

George

[goatless]

Originally Posted by Stuart

You know, it's too bad the trailer manufacturer didn't spend a few more dollars to put nice rounded wheelwells on that thing - otherwise it pretty closely follows the old 'canned ham' trailer design of the 1950s and 1960s.

I don't know... my neighbors early '60s Winnebago trailer has squared off wheel wells...

[beemergary]

Its around 1960. Went to the feed store to get seed and fertilizer for spring planting. Got a big, long trailer behind 53 ford car. This trailer was made by my grpa for hauling shuffelboards so its long. Dad puts all the seed and fertilizer sacks in back of trailer. The first rise in the road and the back of the car does a little dance. The second rise the same thing only now were in the ditch with the car facing south and the trailer facing north. Not a pretty sight.

[jasonblair]

Originally Posted by geeteeohguy

Before pickups became the preferred everyday driver, back in the day, EVERYBODY towed with their car or station wagon. Big engines, lots of power. The mirrors were a combination of suction cup/strap on, like the old rooftop carriers. Remember those???

Since I'm 35, I can honestly say I don't! I grew up on a farm, and my dad always used his Ford F-250 and Chevy Suburban to tow everything. (Our Suburban was an 84, two tone beige and red... You don't see that color combo these days!)

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by jasonblair

Since I'm 35, I can honestly say I don't! I grew up on a farm, and my dad always used his Ford F-250 and Chevy Suburban to tow everything. (Our Suburban was an 84, two tone beige and red... You don't see that color combo these days!)

We got our first pickup in 1969 and since then have used trucks for our daily drivers and tow vehicles.

Working for GM Truck probably played into that decision a bit. (I've worked for GM for as long as you have been alive. ).

K

[mike nixon]

My 68 had a hitch, the 69 G/P has a hitch and I've used it. They pull fine. I'd look around I'll bet you find a class 3 hitch to bolt on the car.

Mike

[goatmanmitch]

It's fun to go from this....

[goatmanmitch]

...to this







Photography by Ali Humbrecht

[goatmanmitch]

Originally Posted by jasonblair

And another issue I'm thinking about... Is there a solution to mount temporary mirrors that wouldn't look totally stupid? I know they have extension mirrors that strap onto modern car mirrors, but the small round mirror on the GTO doesn't provide a lot of surface area... plus, there isn't a passenger side mirror at all! The trailer is just under 7ft wide, so I'd need SOMETHING in order to change lanes.

At least the pop-up is as wide as the car, no additional mirrors are needed for that.

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by goatmanmitch

...to this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Tex_HY7TbE

[uforacing]

I pulled 2000# with my 65 tempest wagon. It had the tow package that included the extra crossmember. With a 455 in it I almost did not know it was back there.

Looking at getting a G8 next month and since I am selling the 24' camper and my truck going to put a hitch on it or the 72 to pull a small trailer for getting landscape stuff and such.

[goatwgn]

Originally Posted by uforacing

I pulled 2000# with my 65 tempest wagon. It had the tow package that included the extra crossmember. With a 455 in it I almost did not know it was back there.

Looking at getting a G8 next month and since I am selling the 24' camper and my truck going to put a hitch on it or the 72 to pull a small trailer for getting landscape stuff and such.

Curious what kind of gearing/ tranny/ convertor you had on the '65?

[GT-36]

When thinking about towing you have two questions, can the equipment handle it and is it "legal". Because our old vehicles don't have towing ratings the legal question is more difficult.

I was told IF a tow vehicle is in an accident with a trailer, the insurance company will look at the trailer and if it is reasonable for that vehicle to be towing that trailer. Would a "reasonable" person safely tow it. If you fail this test, the insurance company may not have to cover the accident and you could be personally liable.

Second question is if the equipment can handle it. I think the old equipment will handle WAY more than a reasonable person would tow because back in the day big loads were pulled with front tires bouncing off the road! I have pulled some of these loads with A-Body's back in the 80's.

In fact, my wagon had bent coil spring pads on the rear axle when I purchased it. New springs and air shocks couldn't adjust the height because the spring pads themselves were bent. Some previous owner towed more than the equipment could handle and I must assume way more than was reasonable.

As for mirrors, you can see my fender mount mirrors. I don't use them, they don't work. They vibrate so much you can't see anything. My regular mirrors work fine enough to see down the sides of the trailer and now that is all I use.

I have a 455 with a 700r4 trans and I have towed quit a bit hundreds of miles in this trailer. I have power front discs.

Final question, will you really prefer sleeping in a small trailer over a hotel room? That much money buys a lot of hotel rooms OR that much money could buy a much larger used trailer and tow vehicle if you love camping.

Good luck.

[Hooter]

Good post. If I make drag week next year, I'll be pulling a trailer with my 65. Have to check out Mitch's set up more closely at Norwalk next year.

[geforc]

This is what I used in 1974 to get my car to Englishtown NJ from Connecticut.
1969 GTO purchased new in 1971 from the dealer for $1,800.
Towing a 1972 Luxury Lemans.

Gene

[goatless]

Damn Gene! That must've been some fun going down the Garden State!

[goatmanmitch]

I was having some issues with my power brakes at the time I was setting this up to tow, so I decided to add a hydroboost set up. Probably less than a hundred dollars all said and done. What a difference!

[The Boss]

Damn Gene, you've been doing this a lot longer than I would have thought!

[geforc]

Chris, that's the same thought I had last night as I was looking at all the pictures of cars I should have kept. The black Lemans was my first of three Luxury Lemans models and loads of GTO's, Firebirds, and a 72 triple black Grand Prix SJ, 71 TA, 69 black 427 Motion Camaro, a black Road Runner Convertible that I traded for a 69 375hp black Chevelle, and a good variety of other cool cars. Fortunately I grew up in the time these cars were new and could be had cheap in a year.
If only I was smart instead of good looking.

Gene

[goatwgn]

Originally Posted by goatmanmitch

I was having some issues with my power brakes at the time I was setting this up to tow, so I decided to add a hydroboost set up. Probably less than a hundred dollars all said and done. What a difference!

Added front disc to mine in 1990, added hydroboost within the last few years. It is like throwing out an anchor.