Towing Airstreams

[Michael Vogler]

Hi Group.

Does anyone regularly tow a camping trailer with their 63/64 such as a smaller Airstream?  I'm curious about this, particularly with the 429's in the 64's.  (Seem like it would be a fun way to go camping...or am I just asking for breakdown trouble??).

Looking forward to reading your answers.

Mike Vogler

[Chris McBride]

Hello Mr. Volger,

Congratulations on owning an Airstream; they are beautiful trailers.  We vacationed frequently in trailers when I was young and a family member had a gorgeous Airstream.  A classic Cadillac towing an Airstream would indeed be a lovely sight and was once fairly common. Nevertheless, I would not tow the Airstream with anything except a modern vehicle optioned appropriately for the task. Safety first - not only for you and yours but also others on the highway.  

Think of the physics. Your trailer is a pendulum potentially pivoting around the hitch in certain conditions. It also adds significant mass to your equation (force equals mass times acceleration)

Consider not only towing but braking as well as hill climbing and descent. Our cars, even if modified with disk brakes, are wholly inadequate compared to modern vehicles in not only braking but in all other major systems.  Given the lack of courtesy, consideration, and common sense of modern drivers, it is not unreasonable to think you may encounter a panic stop.  A brake overheating situation can arise even descending modest hills.  A modern towing vehicle would be a better alternative in such scenarios.

Modern towing vehicles also have additional cooling capacity for the engine and transmission, beefier suspensions, bigger brakes, ABS systems, efficient gear ratios, side mirrors, et cetera.  

While the 1964 powertrain was robust in its time, towing in its old age may indeed possibly precipitate a major breakdown.  Vacations are supposed to be fun and relaxing.  You don't want to be 200 miles from nowhere trying to finding a front spindle, rear ball joint, or a timing chain cover for the Cadillac let alone a mechanic who still works on our era of cars.  I'd rather have to source a part for a modern Dodge, Ford, Chevy, or Toyota truck than my 64 CDV.

One of the members here did intend to tow an airstream:

http://6364cadillac.ning.com/profiles/blogs/towing

Maybe you could reach out them for more information and their experience?

I would enjoy the Cadillac and the Airstream, just not together!  

Again, congratulations on owning both and an Airstream and 1964 Cadillac.  

HTH