Guest NikeAjax Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 Is there anyone out there that tows with their Buick? I have a little 1959 Field & Stream "canned ham" trailer, it doesn't weigh much as I can tow it with my 1997 Toyota 4-cyl, but my little truck is very light and underpowered as a tow vehicle. Is there a tow package I can just bolt on? Any tricks or recommendations advice? BTW I just had the tranny rebuilt, and the motor has less than 1K on a rebuild too, so there should be no issues there; yes I know, start out in low.Jaybird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted September 19, 2010 Share Posted September 19, 2010 I'm pretty sure I've seen photos of these cars towing small campers, so I'd suggest there is no real issue with it. Doing so would simply prove you are braver than many of us with our old Buicks. ;):eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted September 19, 2010 Share Posted September 19, 2010 There was a '57 Estate Wagon that towed a moderate-sized travel trailer from their home base in OR or WA to Flint in '03. Seems like there was some discussion in here, at the time, of what it took. Others were there too, with similar tow rigs.Just some thoughts,NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fr. Buick Posted September 19, 2010 Share Posted September 19, 2010 I would advise instaling electric brakes on that thing - which would likely mean a whole new axle...And a big trans cooler for the Dynaflow. I have also seen period pictures of Buicks pulling trailers, and always thought it must be a 3-speed car, because a Dynaflow would sure heat up under a load like that.Buicks certainly have the torque to pull, but brakes and trans are the weakest links in the chain.Doug Cook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Koala Posted September 19, 2010 Share Posted September 19, 2010 HiTwo weeks ago I towed a 500kg Teardrop Camper that has over ride brakes with my 56 Special for the first time without problem but I suggest that it would be better with some sort of spring uplifts in the rear. The springs are very soft and my car sagged quite a bit.I went down and back up a long mountain with winding roads using `L' and there was no problem with power or overheating but the brakes were marginal and heated up quite quickly even though I used them as little as possible. I agree that a transmission cooler (and a electric fan)would be a good idea if pulling in hot climates or mountainous regions but out on the highway the car is just not working hard enough to require it.Construction of the towbar was easy, a straight piece of 50X50X4mm box section steel with a piece of 50X50X4mm angle welded at each end is sufficient for my little camper. This is drilled and bolted to the underside of the chassis at the rear with some plates on the inside of the chassis for strengthening. I also added another piece welded to the bar but bolted to the bumper bar mounting bolt at the rear.Koala Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted September 19, 2010 Share Posted September 19, 2010 My 54 Roadmaster came to me with obvious signs of a tow package installed at some point.There was the "tell tale" sign of the hole in the trunk area and the cut of wire leads that were patched into the tail lights.Not apparent was where the tow bar was installed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NikeAjax Posted September 19, 2010 Share Posted September 19, 2010 I upgraded my brakes to disk about a year ago; mid 1950's Buick brakes stink, some times quite literally! Also I have air shocks in the back, so I can make them stiffer.What type of cooler do y'all recommend?This is what I'm towing:1959 Field & Stream trailer front | Flickr - Photo Sharing!Thanks,Jaybird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted September 19, 2010 Share Posted September 19, 2010 Tell me your Century is two tone with a white roof and a Lido Green Body!Wow that would look great behind that car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NikeAjax Posted September 19, 2010 Share Posted September 19, 2010 No, actually it's pink, black and white:'56 Buick under oaks | Flickr - Photo Sharing!Yeah, I know, the whole thing is very colorful together, but I like it!Jaybird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest South_paw Posted September 20, 2010 Share Posted September 20, 2010 You should be just fineIn fact, here's a whole fleet of assorted mid 50's american cars towing trailers across Europe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NikeAjax Posted September 20, 2010 Share Posted September 20, 2010 Anyone see Kitchen Stories? Here's a scene from it:It's VERY VERY droll, what else can you expect from Scandinavia:):Kitchen Stories (2003)Jaybird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthbob Posted September 20, 2010 Share Posted September 20, 2010 Great Pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 A BUNCH of Volvos going slowly and deliberately . . .NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 For what might be the ultimate "what went wrong" movie of trailer towing . . . "The Long Trailer", circa 1953 or so, with Ricky and Lucy in a new Mercury convertible.Seems like the '57 Buick wagon and trailer at the 2003 Flint meet ought to be in that meet's pictures . . . archived somewhere in here? Looked really neat!NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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