New (vintage) trailer- best tow vehicle?

[Unchained]

I knew that I had been waffling on the van, trailer, camper, RV question a little (read: wayyy) too long. I had pretty much settled on a cargo trailer conversion/ van combo, but things are unexpectedly speeding up job-wise and I'm not going to have time to save up for an enclosed cargo trailer and do the conversion, as well as afford a tow vehicle. I have a vintage Shasta trailer, but I have not had the time to restore her/ go through the registration hassle and time is suddenly getting short.<br><br>So when I saw a little '73 Travlo travel trailer come up for sale on Craigslist last weekend, I had to go see it. Long story short, it is old but sound and has all the comforts of home, even a tiny shower stall that doubles as the port a pot space. The registration is current and it has permanent PTI plates. The seller also knocked $150 off the price once we got talking, putting it within my price range.<br><br>In other words, it is now mine <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>Now I find myself waffling (yes, I am an Olympic quality waffler) over the tow vehicle. The trailer is a knockoff of the Aristocrat Low Liner- 15 feet, 1700lbs or so dry weight and low profile (about 7' tall), so it will tuck in behind the tow vehicle much better than a normal tt would.<br><br>As my plan is to get the tt looking respectable and use it most of the time, dropping it for excursions into town as well as into places that tts fear to tread, what would be the best tow vehicle- van, truck with shell or SUV? Also, would I be better off mileage-wise with a V6 or a small block V8? I really like Astros, but I'm thinking that the 'drag' of the trailer may be less with a full sized van. I also have a misspent-youth love for pickups with camper shells, and would love to have another unless a van or SUV will be better for towing the new trailer. <br><br>Opinions?<br>Pics of new trailer below.<br><br>&nbsp; <br><br>

 

[offroad]

liking vintage trailer. make sure you get the frame checked for structural integrety. would not want a rusty frame weld to break and cause the trailer to fall apart. &nbsp;old stuff rusts. &nbsp;also check electrical and gas lines and connections. shorts and bad connections are fire hazards. enough of the doom and gloom, as its a cool trailer.&nbsp;<br><br>am thinking a chevy van tow vehicle. eight cylinder. chevy is less expensive parts. plus more than enough power. van can by used as alternative storage and living space. else get a chevy pickup with eight cylinder engine.&nbsp;<br><br><br>

 

[user 423]

Nice little trailer. It's small enough that you 'could' tow it with a V6 but if you plan on visiting mountainous or very hilly areas, a V8 would be better. Not a lot of difference in MPG either.<br><br>Would you have a need for the extra space of a full-size van?&nbsp; Storage for a road business, passengers, a hobby, bikes, tools, a motorcycle? A PU w/shell would have less volume and may be a little less secure.<br><br>A PU and shell would also cut the air in front of the TT and would be a little more aerodynamic at the front than a van. Overall MPG may be slightly higher with a PU because the weight is a little less also.<br><br>Would you ever attempt major repairs?&nbsp; Pulling and replacing a motor in a PU would be easier.<br><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Good deal and congrats. &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;Go there but don't get to scared, everything doesn't have to be as perfect as they do, but they are loads of help about every thing from stainless steel screws to putting on brakes and greasing wheel bearings and where to buy foam for cushions. Real friendly forum of very willing people. &nbsp;Also&nbsp;vintagetrailersupply.com &nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Go 8 cylinder.<br><br><strong><span style="color: #ff00ff;">Dragonfly<br><br><span style="color: #000000;">this is my set up. &nbsp;My bathroom and shower are inside to, til I unpack it and move it outside.<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"></span></span></strong>

 

[BC Guy]

I hauled a Trillium Outback (1200 lbs dry?) with a Ford Escape 6cyl 3 litre.&nbsp; The trailer dropped the gas mileage from 24 mpg to 21.5 mpg (I have a bit of a heavy gas foot).&nbsp; It made very little difference in acceleration going uphill on Hwy 1 through the Fraser Canyon and on Hwy 97.

 

[Unchained]

Thanks for the replies, everyone!<br><br>Offroad- Not too worried about rust as this trailer has been in California (away from the beaches) for decades, and it shows. Wear and tear? Yes. Rust? Barely any, even on the hitch, amazing for a 40 y/o vehicle with original paint anywhere but here (I still see original 'bugs' on the road with no rust every day).<br>The propane connections and lines look good, as does the electrical, because the trailer was being used and not just sitting. The seller changed out the original shore power connection for a more universal plug in, and everything powered up just fine. Will have it checked and install fire and CO detectors, of course.<br>And it is pretty cool, eh? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br>As for the tow vehicle- thanks for saying what I was thinking! Chevys are harder to come by here than Fords or Dodges, but I think it may be worth the wait if I get the right one. <br><br>Slowday- I'm actually a crafty-type hoping to make some income on the road, so a full sized van would not be wasted, space wise. The trailer will fit what I need to live, but the sewing machine, fabric, yarn, beads, leather, tools, completed stock, etc would be pushing it. That said, a truck or SUV could work, hence my questions. <br><br>A p/u with shell will cut the air, but the trailer will still stick up unless the truck is raised or has a higher shell, wouldn't it? Same goes for an SUV. This is why I'm thinking van, even though I obsess over the pickups on Craigslist <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> and the seller told me that he almost forgot the trailer was there when towing with his Suburban.<br>I'm also planning on going solar, and a little concerned about mounting the panels where they can be seen from the ground when I drop the trailer and head for the hills, with panels on the tow vehicle. Solar panel theft is quite common in the sunny states.<br><br>Major repairs... as in do them myself? Not unless they can be done with a crochet hook and some knitting needles <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>Dragonfly- Thanks for the link! The former vintage Shasta trailer forum was cool, but is no more, so glad to see a new one. The guy I bought this one from is really into classic Shastas and such, and kept saying that the Travlo was 'just an old trailer'. Being someone who couldn't care less about whether my trailer is a 'classic' or not, I let him talk himself into lowering the price <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>As for the bathroom and shower- I plan on having them outside in a setup like yours whenever possible, but it's nice to have a 'Plan B' at 2AM when it is pouring out or if a cold snap hits and you NEED to shower. <br><br>BC Guy- Thanks for the info! How did the Escape do brakes and transmission-wise, and was it set up for towing?&nbsp; <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

 

[Patrick46]

<SPAN style="COLOR: #333333"><SPAN style="COLOR: #333333">Hey there....I like your little camper. <BR>We've got an older Aladdin much like yours. (my wife went nuts when she found the "Sisters on the Fly" book, and had to get one of her own!!<BR><BR>first, for the truck, unless you're gonna be spending ALOT of time high up in the mountains, I'd reccommend getting a Chevy S-10 or GMC Sonoma (exact same truck, different label...which is what we've got, and use it to&nbsp;tow EXTENSIVELY with...and we have a canopy on ours too)...or else an Astro van is very&nbsp;cool also.<BR><BR>The thing you wanna get is make sure it has the 4.3 V-6 engine in it. These are incredible engines!!! They have great pulling power, get very good gas milage, and are bulletproof!&nbsp;We absolutely love ours, and have towed all over the place in it....with no problems whatsoever!<BR><BR><BR>as for the shower, I posted this over on a shower thread...<BR><BR><BR></SPAN></SPAN><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=table_row><TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=3><TABLE class="tables post_body" border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="95%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD class=post>My wife and I went to a national teadrop gathering, and found one of the other camper's using onna these...<BR><BR><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://r.b5z.net/i/u/10008036/i/Eccotemp_Portable_Tankless_Water_Heater.jpg" rel="lightbox"><BR><BR>All you need is a water supply (like a bucket or a garden hose), and a propane tank, and as long as there's water, and propane...you've got an infinately long hot shower!<BR><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: large">$120.00!!!!!</SPAN></STRONG></EM> <A href="http://www.hotcampshowers.com/inc/sdetail/1257" rel=nofollow target=_blank><SPAN style="COLOR: #000000">http://www.hotcampshowers.com/inc/sdetail/1257</SPAN></A>&nbsp;<IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif"><BR><BR><BR>add onna these...<BR><BR><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/safetycentral_2272_21760573" rel="lightbox"><BR><BR>throw a porta-potty in it, and you've got a completely private portable shower bathroom!!</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR class=table_row><TD height=30 colSpan=3 align=right><BR>Hope this helps!</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[BC Guy]

Unchained - No problems at all with the Escape.&nbsp; I used the Trillium for 3 summers before I bought my current rig.&nbsp; The Trillium does not have brakes, so I gave a bit more braking distance.&nbsp; I thought of putting in a transmission cooler, but it did not need it.<br>In hotter climates, your experience may differ.&nbsp; I had a hitch and trailer brake controls installed by CAP-it after I bought the Escape (they were cheaper than the dealer).&nbsp; All I can say is, this was my first time towing something, and it did not bother me. On the other hand, backing up was quite an experience. &lt;g&gt; I did buy extension mirrors as the trailer was a bit wider than the Escape.

 

[wagoneer]

If you want to tow I would recommend diesel great low end torque they love a load.

 

[user 423]

Do you know the weight of this trailer?&nbsp; As long as it's not loaded down too much, maybe this would be light enough to tow with a smaller vehicle. If you plan on doing a lot of travel, then that's a real plus.

 

[Lostinspace]

Back in the mid 70's we had a "Love Bug". Kinda like the Casida, but before it was made. It was about a 1000-1200 pounds. I towed with a Datsun '74 4 cylinder Pickup and 4 speed manual, 1600cc. No problem at all. Just don't be in a hurry. Went up to st Louis, then Arkansas. It made a trip down to Acapulco. Had no trouble in Mexico city at 7500' elevation.

Then pulled it with an '81 plymouth Omni 4 cylinder, 1700cc. Manual again and front wheel drive. The last trip we made with it was to do the Blueridge parkway, all of it. Then on to Washington DC.

The trailer had no brakes. Both tow vehicles did the braking fine. I just wish I still had it. Gave it away to an Indian family to turn into a play house.

We're talking 4 cylinders here and small displacement. So a 6 cylinder will not have any problems with it. Manual tranny is best.

 

[Unchained]

Hi Patrick<br>Can't say that I blame your wife, Sisters on the Fly is awesome <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>I like the little Chevy/GMC trucks and love Asrtros. The thing giving me pause is that I also love places like the Kings Canyon/Sequioa area, and those switchbacks are pretty steep. I was up there with a friend over July 4, and we had to stop his (loaded to the gills, admittedly) Saturn and let the brakes/ tranny take a rest on the way down the steepest one, even without a trailer. OTOH, I won't be up there all the time and I sure would like the gas savings of a V6, esp when running around town or boondocking without the trailer. I have heard great things about the Chevy 4.3 V6, though! <br><br>That water heater is pretty cool. Having done Ren Faires for a decade, I'm pretty much used to 3 dark painted gallon jugs left on the dash all day, but that would be awesome for the cold and rainy season.<br><br>BC- SO not looking forward to the whole backing up thing! Depending on the tow vehicle, extended mirrors are def. on the list of things to get.<br><br>wagoneer- A diesel would likely toss this tiny thing off the hitch and look at me like, "Are you kidding? You want me to pull THAT? What would my friends say if they saw me!!??'<br><br>slowday- It's about 1700lbs dry, so it really depends on how much crap I cram into it and the tow vehicle <img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>Loistinpace- I used to have a Nissan 4 banger truck that I wish I still owned, esp since I saw one the same vintage just last week going for about the same $$ I sold mine for back in '95 <img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">. That said, I wouldn't want to pull this thing with something that small unless I had to. Loaded up, it will weigh 2000lbs or better, depending. On the manual trans, I agree, which is why a truck/ SUV is still in the running (well, that and the cool factor). It is pretty hard to find a van with a manual trans. OTOH, even a small van like an Astro is a palace compared to the cargo space of a shelled truck bed or SUV when you drop the trailer and head out for a few weeks of boondocking in the mountains.<br><br>To all- See what I meant in the OP? *waffle, waffle* <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[wagoneer]

Ha just now read your post unchained towed my ol 62 airstream with GMC 1 ton van blew some black smoke going up the grapevine. Backside (east) Yosemite is very very steep 4 banger Toyota chinook 1 st gear 5 mph on the shoulder I was afraid to stop.