----- Original Message -----
From: "jim clark" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> As it has been pointed out, the problem is that even if in new condition,
> the unit would be near 40 years old and a lot of strange things would be
> breaking... just due to old age...My recommendation would be to go with a
> modern truck... not because the old wagon couldn't do the job, but for the
> reliability
That's easy to say if you've got the bucks. I don't know about there, but
around here trucks are out of sight price-wise. Even old broken down trucks
are going for big money. When I hear friends talking about blown engines,
busted transmissions and serious break downs in their relatively new trucks,
I shudder to think how much they paid for the truck in the first place.
Vintage vehicles can be somewhat reliable if you pay extra attention to
maintenance. You have to replace things that are just old, BEFORE they break
on you. For instance, my old 440 engine in my tow car was running OK. It
used a little too much oil, but it was running fine. It had 167,000 miles on
it and it's 28 years old. I replaced it last summer with an overhauled
engine. The transmission was a little leaky and it shifted funny on cold
mornings. It had 100,000 miles on it and it was 20 years old. I replaced it
with an overhauled transmission. This year I should buy new front wheel
bearings and new tires.
Every spring, you go out to the car, open the hood and say, "OK, you guys!
Which one of you is going to break this year??" Whatever looks weak or old,
you buy a new one and replace it. Of course, it costs money to do that, but
it's still cheaper than a new truck.
This year, when I use it to tow the trailer to Washington DC or wherever,
it's going to have some stupid thing break anyway. Last year it was fuses
and poor connections in the tail lights. This year, the gas tank might get a
hole in it. Who knows? It'll probably get me home, however. It always has
so far.
You have to have a special desire to use a vintage tow vehicle, but it has
it rewards, and I don't find it too expensive. It's certainly not for
everyone ....but neither is fixing up old Airstreams!!
MARC WEIMER
Punxsutawney, PA - Home of the Groundhog -- Still 3 more weeks of winter
to go!!!
#15767
1963 Globe Trotter
1971 Globe Trotter
http://users.penn.com/~mweimer
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