Greetings. I don't own a station wagon at the present time. I do, however, have a really cool Casita fiberglass camper that I pull with an aging Mitsubishi Montero. The camper is pretty lightweight, about 2700 lbs dry, 3500-ish loaded. Soon, I will need to replace the Montero. I'd love NOT to do the SUV/Crossover thing, and I really don't want a truck either. I hear many older station wagons can tow as effectively as modern day pickup trucks, especially with WDH's and anti-sway bars. I remember seeing stationwagons pulling Airstreams and Prowlers when I was a kid. I haven't completely scoured this site, but I'm planning to use this site to learn! Who tows with their wagons? What are you towing? Any issues? Things to look for? In mid/late 70's when emission controls brought horsepower down so much...does that impact towing capability? In other words, is a '75 less "tow worthy" than a '70? I like a variety of wagons. My dad had a '72 Polara wagon when I was a kid, wonder how something like would do? Or....Country Squire/Colony Park? Or...more recent Roadmaster/Caprice with beefy V8? Or a mid 70's Torino or Montego? Anyway, I look forward to learning. And eventually procuring a new (to me) tug. Thanks for the help! Tom Gerth Florence, SC
ou're gonna love this site. There are several member here pulling antique RV trailers with older wagons and loving it. Before I get carried away, check out "tincantourists" when you find time. Just don't stay gone from this site long. There are many friendly members who can give you a lot of tips and ideas. I personally pulled an old 23 foot RV with a new 72 Gran Torino with no problems what so ever. I was building a 1948 Chevy customized 1/2 ton panel truck with 350 to pull a vintage Airstream or Shasta type RV. Then considered a Casita or similar type for the light weight and modern interior. Never completed my project but have seen Casitas at the early RV campouts decorated to resemble older models and often pulled by old cars, trucks, or wagons. Don't be swayed into buying an SUV or minivan, follow your dreams.
Welcome to the SWF, Tom. You've got a lot to choose from. Most modern wagons should be able to tow that Casita. Do some research on tow ratings for any prospective wagon you are looking at. I can give you one recomendation - do not pick a full-size GM B-body wagon with a 307 like I have - it just doesn't have enough power. The earlier B-bodies of this style ('77 through '90 model years) - '77 to '79 or '80 could be had with larger horsepower engines. Probably the best combination is the Olds 403. Some of the later ones had the Chevy 305 with a 4-barrel. That might be OK. A good pic for sure would be the next generation GM B-bodies - Olds Custom Cruiser, Chevy Caprice, Buick Roadmaster Estate, built from '91 through '96 model years (Olds only built '91 - '92). A few of these early ones had the 305, but I would restrict your search to the 350-equipped models. TBI in '91 - '93, the LT1 engine in '94 - '96. Quite a few members here have these. They are the last of the true big American Station Wagons. The big Ford and Mercurys from '65 through '78 are good choices and have a lot of engine options. Anything from a big 6 (avoid) up to a 460 V8. If you are looking at an older model, be sure your frame is solid. Lots more advice coming from my cohorts....... Marshall
Welcome to the forum, Tom. I'm sure you'll get lots of advice and input on your question. I would probably choose a 94-96 Buick Roadmaster wagon or a Cadillac Fleetwood sedan of that same period. They have the LT1 engine and are a joy to drive. The 94-96 Caprice has the same chassis/drive-train, but I found the Buick more comfortable for long trips. The Caddy is not available in a wagon, but it was available with a higher tow capacity than the wagons. Just do your homework and understand how to live with the LT1's "Opti-spark" ignition system. Happy hunting!
The trick to the vehicle is also what equipment was installed at the factory. That makes a HUGE difference. On the Fords, the towing package could make the difference between a 2,000 pound rating and a 6,000 pound rating on a car that appeared identical. The Crown Victoria and Colony Park from 85 - 91 are rated for 5,000 pounds with the fuel injected 302, and 6,000 with the 351W, but the latter are as rare as hen's teeth. The giants from the 70s could be rated up to 6,000 pounds in wagon form. The sedans could be up to 7,000. That is the full-framed models from Ford and G.M. The unibody Chryslers are rated for 5,000 pounds, but only with the 440 cid engine. The mid-sized Fords from the 70s are rated to 5,000 pounds as well, and do a great job of towing. Lots and lots of choices out there for a sub-4,000 pound trailer! Any of them are rated for well above the maximum rating of the trailer you are looking at, so there should be no problem at all.
gerth theres a few of us that tow trailers...this year i'll be towing my Silver Streak Sabre with a Ford 68 Country Sedan ...or my 66 Squire if i get the frame done... and Im thinking about buting my Shasta Compact back..and towing it with 63 Falcon Squire.... the biggest GURU on towing and vintage trailers is Safari....he should show up soon....although I think he may be Snow birding with his Airstream right now
I remember the Country Squires my Dad had in the 70's for towing the family camping trailer. The 71 Country Squire with it's 429 was a blast to drive, could light up the tires with no trouble and had no trouble towing the 23' Terry travel trailer. The 77 Country Squire that replaced it had the 400 under the hood, had no power, and got about 10 miles per gallon highway without the trailer and maybe 6 or 7 miles per gallon towing the trailer. I remember taking the '77 wagon and camper to the beach for a week with friends after high school graduation. Its a 3 hour drive and we had to stop for gas twice each way. We spent more on gas to get there and back in 1978, then we did for the camp site and beer for the whole week. The 71 with the 429 actually got significantly better mileage than the 77 with the 400. Both wagons were loaded with options including the trailer towing package. The mid to late 70's wagons were severely handicapped by the emissions equipment. Now, can we see a picture of the trailer?
tow wagon tom, I have a '64 ford country sedan that i am getting ready to use for a tow vehicle.The nice thing about the '63 and'64 fords is that they came with the same equipment as the hi po [427 406 cars] they had the six leaf springs and 3" breaks. There have been a couple of nice '64 country sedans on ebay recently. You should start looking because,the wagons are quickly becoming popular. The reason i say that is because i have a lot of '61,'63 and 64 ford NOS mouldings and i am getting a lot of calls for the station wagon items. Good luck in you search.
