Towing - How

[RobertN]

Did we used to do it, with so little, but tow so much?

This was from before I was born(I have seen it a number of times...). How did people live with little 125hp motors, and towing with cars of all things?

The Long, Long Trailer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

How did we all live without 400HP turbo disel 4 wheel disc brake in dash brake control super radial tire G80 locker heavy duty everything?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Did we used to do it, with so little, but tow so much?

This was from before I was born(I have seen it a number of times...). How did people live with little 125hp motors, and towing with cars of all things?

The Long, Long Trailer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

How did we all live without 400HP turbo disel 4 wheel disc brake in dash brake control super radial tire G80 locker heavy duty everything?

Not me, you would get killed trying to run down the highway today with that thing.

Lets face it, things get better with time. Just look at the computer you are using, the TV you are watching, the furnace in your home, and the vehicle you drive. Its just progress. I drive under powered dump trucks with poor brakes, its no fun but yet its fun at the same time, for a hour or so that is.

Chris

 

[tcartwri]

It was also prior to the Interstate system...

 

[JESSE1]

Did you see the dolly they installed under the trailer hitch that carried most of the tongue weight and electric trailer brakes that had to be manually actuated?

 

[RobertN]

It has been a while since I have seen the movie.

Did you see the dolly they installed under the trailer hitch that carried most of the tongue weight and electric trailer brakes that had to be manually actuated?

 

[Sandlot]

And the cars in those days weighed more than my truck! :laughing:

 

[Raspy]

The main thing is people were not in such a frantic hurry, there was a lot less traffic and everyone was just used to going with what they had. Plus cars were way heavier and built like trucks, with cast iron V8s and big differentials. With smaller roads the 75 MPH hour after hour runs were not possible.

People used what they had instead of specializing or having several vehicles. The family car was also used for towing.

My grandmother had a friend that bought a brand new Dodge Power Wagon in about 1952. He drove it all the way out west from Detroit at 35 MPH. It was common for my family, when I was a kid, to go on vacation with our old '55 Dodge and tow a trailer. It had a bumper hitch and my Dad would also make dump runs or haul equipment or whatever with it.

Progress is all about small improvements over time. Now I can't get by without my Cummins. :laughing:

 

[Egon]

All it took was Patience and lots of gears or More Patience and a good low gear.:thumbsup:

Stopping was something much different!

I'm still in that same situation with an anemic old Dodge with a Cumins.:laughing:

 

[Renze]

Hmm 125hp ?? My brothers Mercedes Vito has a GVW of 2.8 ton and a combined GVW of 4.8 ton. It has a 90hp diesel with plenty of torque: It does everything it needs to do, within the limits of the law. It pulls its max allowed GVW in 6th and doesnt lug down when the wind is against.

You could better ask, how did we get by with 125hp and just a 3 speed ?

 

[ultrarunner]

I've often wondered about it myself...

I have the single axle trailer my uncle used exclusively during his race career in the late fifties and early 60's...

He always towed with either a snappy new convertible or station wagon... they normally took both cars to each race... the station wagon was to haul the extra equipment.

This trailer has been to almost every state in the union... never a problem. It has hauled everything from Shelby Cobra, Lotus, Shelby Mustang and even a Ford GT-40 to the International Car Show in San Francisco...

No one back then had a double axle trailer and most pickups were just not as comfortable as cars in the fifties.

Fast forward to today... I use the same trailer to move my little BX-23 around and frequently am asked when I will get a real trailer or is that trailer even legal...

Well, according the vehicle code in my State, it is legal based on the date of manufacture... just like my antique cars only require the equipment at the time they were made...

My 1905 Oldsmobile is fully licensed, insured and drivable in all 50 States... no brake lights, turn signals, 4 wheel brakes, windshield, seat belts, mirrors, manufacturer load rating etc...

I have a friend that regularly used his old double AA Model A flat-bed in his business... he will put many full rolls of carpet from the mill to his warehouse... it is exempt from weight fees due to age... his dodge stretch vans can only move one roll. The Model A has only 40 hp and never runs out of torque.

He was stopped once for being overweight.... the officer called his supervisor when my friend asked how the officer figured he was over... they let him go once they found out he was 100% legal under the vehicle code...

My best advice is take it slow and easy...