bacabunch

Idaho

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Joined: 06/08/2006

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this is in great shape, can you feel it when you're pulling?
"White Knuckles" Ben 
TV: 2003 Chevy Suburban 1/2 ton a.k.a. "The Burb" with Tranny Cooling System and Equalizer Hitch
TT: 1995 Sandpiper Cobra a.k.a "Baca Boat"
Ben Marisela Natalie Maria Emily Matthew Abby Scottie(Dog) Gato(Cat)
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nlscooby

Charlotte Area, North Carolina

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Joined: 12/01/2004

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LeBout wrote: My dad hauled our family of 6 around in a station wagon while pulling a 15 foot TT. This was in the 1960s and my recollection was that we overheated a LOT! 
I lived in AZ and I remember overheating a lot without pulling a trailer!! I remember having to pull over and seeing the coolant/water actually boiling in the overflow tank under the hood....and this was in the late 70's!
2006 Dodge 2500 Megacab Cummins Turbo Diesel
2008 Forest River Flagstaff 831RLSS
Reese WDH with Dual Cam Anti-sway
Prodigy Brake Controller
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PAFPCAMPER

CENTRAL PA

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Joined: 03/11/2008

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In the 70's my mom and dad had a 72 20'Terry . We 1st pulled it with a 65 Pontiac Catalina SW with a 389 cid, but it would overheat going over the mountains. So he upgraded to a 73 Olds Custom Cruiser SW with a 455 cid. We pulled it with that till my parents lost interest in camping. The Terry sat next to the garage for 4-5 yrs. I asked my dad what he planned on doing with it? So I bought it for a good price , I towed it with a 86 Dodge W150 .I had it till I moved to an apartment were I had no place to store it so sold it to a friends brother.
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rhondavid

Birmingham, Al

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Joined: 07/01/2003

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Was in the mountains of No Ga last month and saw recent (not sure how recent but certainly not from the mid 1900's) pulling an Airstream. Was doing okay from what I could tell but you certainly was not burning up the asphalt either. In todays world of SUV's being a large percentage of the vehicle on the road and being used at TV, it seemed strange to see this mock woody wagon with a pretty good size TT hanging off the bumper. To each his own!!
David,Wife,4 kids,SIL,1 grandchild
2003 Ford Excursion Eddie Bauer 7.3 PSD w/3.73 rear end
Jayco Kiwi Too 30T bunkhouse w/triple bunks
Prodigy Controller
Reese Dual Cam HP
Michelin LTX M/S
2001 F150 SuperCrew
Topsail Hill Cult Member
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sirdrakejr

Las Vegas, Nevada

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Joined: 11/18/2001

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The first trailer I pulled was in 1968 with a 1966 Plymouth Fury wagon. The wheel base on the Fury was 123 inches and the trailer was a Serro Scotty 17 footer. It was a great combo and towed effortlessly.
Then I bought a new 1974 24' Sportsmaster that I towed with a 1972 Dodge Ram Vam2500. That was also a great towing combo that I used with a Reese E=Z Lift equalizer. The ONLY problems I had with the TT was they have more of a tendency to bounce the towing vehicle than a 5th wheel does simply because of the leverage the hitch gives the trailer tongue.
I then used a 1980 Chrysler New Yorker to tow. I put helper springs around the rear shocks to carry the load since the car was really made to ride "soft". The 360V8 did well as did the auto tranny. I installed a 10,000# tranny cooler since they didn't make the car with a trailer package.
We've come a long way since those early days of towing. The one thing that never changes is the human factor that must always be aware of the towing vehicle's limits and requirements. That is never built into any vehicle we buy.
Frank
RV.net blog
For those of you looking for expert advice, here ya go!
Frank
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PApopup

Glen Rock, PA, USA

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Joined: 03/18/2004

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My favorite tow vehicle we used growing up was a 1971/72 International Travelall. The bench seat up front folded down and I would sit on it while we traveled. Was a great view! We went from PA to CA that year. Of course the vehicle was a piece of junk and we later swapped it out for a used 1975 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham. Thank God for slow speeds and less traffic.
Bob, Kim, Gabby, & Matt
2007 Coachmen Captiva 269 QBH 
2006 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4X4
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Badbowler111

Illinois

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Joined: 09/11/2007

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As a kid the first few years that we camped were in "Rental" TT's that ranged in size from 13 to 16 feet, and we pulled them with a 1962 Chevy Bel-Air with a 6 cylinder engine (Never knew the size) with a clamp on "Bumper Hitch". Then when we bought our own trailer 14ft. TT in 1965, we still pulled it for the first year with the Chevy, but also with a WD hitch. Then in 1966 we bought a Mercury "Colony Park" Station Wagon with a 390 V-8 and my Dad always said that he couldn't even feel it behind him.
2000 Coachman Catalina 264QBS
2000 Ford Expedition (Main Tow Vehicle)
2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Back-Up Tow Vehicle)
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