Old school setup

subcamper wrote:

dodge guy wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:

prichardson wrote:
That's a mid to late 60's Cadillac. Probably has a 429 ci engine and tips the scales around 4700# on a 224" wheel base. They were built on a frame that was probably as hefty as todays pickups. Only got at best 10 mpg even without a trailer.

Early 70's was when the auto makers went to "uni body" construction.

That means NO ladder frames, and thus towing became a pick up's job.

Towing, even light towing, with a uni body would twist the whole car and often crack the windshield.

Don't ask how I know.

Actually full frame cars disappeared when Fords Panther platform (Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, Town Car) went away! Back in 2011!

And as the OP stated that is a mid 70's Buick. Possibly an Olds? Probably a 455!

The full frame is only part of it.

The 2010 Ford Crown Victoria is only rated to tow 1500lbs!

So there is a lot more involved.

For example, it had been a long time since a really strong rear axle was put in a car (like the old Ford 9 inch and GM 12-bolt). I am not counting the special rear axles in V8 Corvettes and Camaros, they are built for high HP and peak torque but can't take the strain of a trailer pull up and down grades repeatedly.

The big rear axles and strong rear-drive transmissions are all in the trucks now.

I am sure the automakers aren't unhappy about all of us buying high-profit-margin trucks and SUVs either;).

Steve

Yes, but the tow rating was around 5500lbs? Back in the late 80's or early 90's. The only thing that changed was the tow rating. The Panther cars always had the 8.8 axle in them.

I agree that auto manuf. like is buying the more profitable trucks/Suv's......which is a good indication of the reason behind lowering the tow rating. this way they could get people into more profitable trucks!