Towing Capacity

Jean-Marc Dugas

Jean-Marc Dugas

PCS Member
Having arrived from Albany a couple days ago, and thinking of going to Ohio next year, Susan and I discussed the fact that on the way there, we’d like to get there in the shortest time. It will be a 20ish hour trip to Ohio, therefore 2 days. On the way back, however, we should take our time and do the tourist thing, go with the flow and get home when we get home.

In order to achieve this, an options is to book rooms in hotels or in B&Bs. This requires planning and will cost ~$100 per night. I do not want to plan everything to the nth degree, and I am cheap and do not want to give all of my money to those evil Hotel folks that will then turn around and acquire a collection of ambulances….. The other option is to camp as we go. This will require either living in the car or tenting. I hate tenting and I do not want to live in the car for a week.

The only option left is to build a travel trailer that will look like a 60s EMS command post that could have been towed to a major incident. This could be built on a tent trailer frame that the neighbour is no longer using and that I can buy for $200.

Having said this:

1. Does anyone know what is the towing capacity of a 1967 Pontiac Superior Ambulance
2. Does anyone have any pictures of what such a command post could look like
3. If any of you is talking to my wife, building my own trailer, buying a mig welder and learning how to weld is a really, but really good idea.
 
I met up with Fraiser when he was in Moncton. We had a good chat and I got to check his ambulance out.

Actually, that is where I got the idea about the trailer. Most of the folks that take part of this cross Canada tour are towing travel trailers, but some also stay in local hotels and help support the hotel folks.

Hope you did not take it the my earlier comment the wrong way Richard, I should have included :yankchain: at the end of it to avoid any misunderstanding.
 
Jean-Marc Dugas said:
I met up with Fraiser when he was in Moncton. We had a good chat and I got to check his ambulance out.

Actually, that is where I got the idea about the trailer. Most of the folks that take part of this cross Canada tour are towing travel trailers, but some also stay in local hotels and help support the hotel folks.

Hope you did not take it the my earlier comment the wrong way Richard, I should have included :yankchain: at the end of it to avoid any misunderstanding.
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I did not take it in any other fashion than it's intention....:peek-a-boo:
 
Jean-Marc, it was great to meet you and Susan this week. I look forward to seeing you again.

I was just looking through old photos and passed some of exactly the kind of trailer you are looking for. I'll have to search for it again tomorrow. It was basically a '50's camper trailer.

Remember, though, these were tough cars but not built for towing. I would assume that the towing capacity would be rather small.
 
The vehicle can handle any Class 1 hitch and trailer that is designed for a class 1 hitch. Where you will run into problems is with the tongue load capacity of the vehicle, since the vehicle is already handling a lot more weight than the original passenger car chassis was designed for. For this reason, I would install load leveling air shock absorbers to help with the load. I have no doubt that the drive-line can handle the additional weight, since that is a very powerful engine. The brakes on the other hand are already marginal for the vehicle. Lots of variables need to be considered, including installing either an electrical or mechanical braking system. I also would be very leery of using a pop up trailer frame, which isn't designed to carry much weight. I would suggest that you find a factory built camper that is both lightweight and roomy. In the end, it will actually cost less and give you greater comfort and convenience. There are other things to consider also, such as engine and transmission cooling.. Paul
 
On the subject of towing capacity and old vehicles, here is something I stumbled upon recently that startled me:

wagon.jpg


wellscargo.jpg


dover2.jpg


Apparently when the old TV series batmobile was taken around on promotional tours it rode in an enclosed trailer pulled by a Ford Station Wagon! For the record, the TV series Batmobile weighed in at 5500 pounds, NOT including the trailer!
 
Since you want to stick to a retro theme, try to find one of these old Serro - Scotty campers. They were used alot for mobile command centers by police & fire rescue groups. I've found several examples online of them being painted up & used as command centers after buying the one pictured, it's a 1967 model "Goucho" and they are very light. The styling of them is timeless & they are very popular, unfortunately they used a steel frame & all wood structure, skinned with aluminum. Most you find will be rotted under the aluminum but there are all kinds of websites that show you how to blow them apart & rebuild them. This one isn't too bad off. It was a mess when I bought it. It'll be a winter restoration project & also the reason I haven't taken the trailer hitch off the '66 ambulance!

IMG_0619.jpg
 
If the Int'l Meet is held in South Dakota, I'm installing a trailer hitch on one of the ambulances and towing the Harley out. Pam and Sam Gill have towed their Hudson Fire Truck behind their 71 Oldsmobile ambulance as far away as PA!
 
Dwayne Brooks said:
Since you want to stick to a retro theme, try to find one of these old Serro - Scotty campers. They were used alot for mobile command centers by police & fire rescue groups. I've found several examples online of them being painted up & used as command centers after buying the one pictured, it's a 1967 model "Goucho" and they are very light. The styling of them is timeless & they are very popular, unfortunately they used a steel frame & all wood structure, skinned with aluminum. Most you find will be rotted under the aluminum but there are all kinds of websites that show you how to blow them apart & rebuild them. This one isn't too bad off. It was a mess when I bought it. It'll be a winter restoration project & also the reason I haven't taken the trailer hitch off the '66 ambulance!

IMG_0619.jpg
Click to expand...

Oh I so want one of those little Scotty trailers!!!!:toocool:
 
in business

When I was looking for a small trailer I looked into Serro Scotty trailers. They are still in business and the trailers look the same (updated inside). Also, I found many for sale online. Not cheap but "cute".
 
Yes they just started reproducing the old Scottys again. The original factory burned to the ground & when they started back up they explored other ventures in manufacturing making police & fire command units. The demand for the old style Scottys got them back into the game.

Oh I so want one of those little Scotty trailers!!!!
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Come on up to Ohio Jeremy, bring money!!! I'll set you right up with one...
 
Jean-Marc, it was great to meet you and Susan and have breakfast with you on show day. I wish you success in your trip to Ohio, however you decide to get there. Try not to get the hard-luck award.
 
the man I got that 71 superior from had a hitch welded on it and was shagging cars on a car trailer with it. he liked the way it rode. said the long wheel base of the coach made towing a breeze. the 472 did not lack for power and the th400 was tough enough to handle any load.
 
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