Vintage Towing -- Testing the Waters

blt2ski wrote:
Keep the frontage to as little as possible, then the wt should not be as much of an issue. Frontal area and wind drag can kill you way more than lbs can! So if you have an option on a trailer that weighs say 500 lbs more, but has smooth sides etc, everything else the same, it will pull easier use less fuel than a lighter one that is say aluminum sided!

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind when shopping for trailers. I love the look of those vintage airstreams, but they may be out of my price range.

blt2ski wrote:
You are out of warrenty, so manufacture tow ratings mean nothing. So if you do as you are saying you will, add a decent hitch, brakes on the trailer, etc etc......go for it. You will not be the fasted on the hills, but should keep up on level to 1-2% hills. If you could find a drop in 5 sp with an overdrive, I would do that. Even on a level you should be able to handle that vs what you are running in direct. I could also be wrong depending upon the HP at 4000 vs 2500-3000 with a typical .7-.75 od!

I think the 5 speed from a '76 or '77 truck would drop right in (if I could find one) but I don't think it would help anything other than gas mileage without the trailer. The rotary engine really doesn't mind 4000 rpm. The tach redlines at 7000. I made a 300 mile journey (unloaded) last weekend to a car show hovering between 4000-4500 rpm. I averaged 18 mpg.

F105 wrote:
The Madza Wankel engine - I remember that one. Didn't they have problems with the rotor tips wearing prematuely? I think that was one reason the engine never was successful.

The engine has never been very successful in a street car but it has stayed with us due to its superior racing prowess, whenever politics didn't get in the way. Mazda used a 4-rotor version to win Le Mans in 1991. The following year they outlawed the engine. In a street car, however there were issues. First off, oil is injected into the chambers to lubricate the seals...until there is no oil left. In the hands of average joe, the seals would dry out in 5,000 miles. Second, gas mileage could never be improved. Mazda has struggled to get anything better than 20 mpg. It likes to run rich and with such a short combustion cycle gas is inevitably wasted. Third, torque was never its strong suit and therefore it never did well with automatic transmissions. Turbo charging worked wonders, but didn't help with the longevity of the apex seals.

Golden_HVAC wrote:
100 HP to tow a trailer?

Not my idea of a fun and relaxing trip. Sure you might get good mileage, but I would rather be comfortable and have daily showers inside a 30' gas RV. Yes it only gets 7 MPG, but I have satellite TV, 400 watt solar system, and probably use less energy each year than a 2,000 square foot house in New York, when considering the home heating oil they use, and propane, and electric too.

What you describe sounds more like living in my home than camping to me. That's not really why I want to hit the open road. As for 100 HP. I'd say the truck is around 130 HP right now with its free flowing exhaust. I plan to add about 50 HP more via porting. My gas mileage will take a hit, but these engines respond exponentially to modifications making them a favorite at drag strips.

I pulled our 25 foot 1972 Airstream Trade Winds with our 1949 ford for some years. However never for long trips. I did end up taking the Ford down to the frame and installing independent front end, power disk brakes, power steering, ect. In general making it a new truck under the old body. Was fun and always enjoyed doing it. But pulled the Airstream with or Subarban for long trips. Had the Airstream for 20 years.

That's essentially what has been done with this truck, except I don't have power steering. In fact the only accessory running off a belt is the alternator.


I'm also curious as to your opinions on towing with a manual transmission. It seems like manufacturers set lower towing capacities for manuals these days. Is that more politics at work so they don't have to replace clutches for owners that don't know how to back down a boat ramp? Do you think I'm safe towing with my 4 speed or should I invest in a transmission and rear differential cooling system like they use on race cars?