Road Ruler
Canada
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This article was found in a magazine from 1955. No doubt the test data will be of interest to any towing enthusiast.
Motor Life Magazine July 1955
Drivers Report: Car performance with a trailer.
What happens to speed, economy, and handling when you hitch a trailer to a car? Here are some of the answers.
More than a million Americans, during a normal year, hitch trailers to their cars and embark on trips that last anywhere from a weekend to a lifetime. Some of these momads live the year around in such mobile homes; others use them simply to escape from routine and visit out-of-the way places with convienience and economy that ordinarily do not attend such adventurous travel. According to trailer saleperson, the average person who buys one of the travelling types is inexperienced and often raises questions about the problems involved. Many of these inquires deal with the handling qualities of a car-trailer combination and the effects upon performance of a passenger car when it is towing the extra load.
In order to arrive at the answers the Motor Life road test crew recently conducted a few ? modest? experiments. These consisted of a 500 mile trip into the California desert where braking, acceleration, high speed and handling tests were performed. The choice of a trailer was limited to a travel type as apposed a mobile home, since most of the latter are rarely moved and when they are it usually is under special cercumstances. In fact the large house trailer often are transported only by special trucks. Some are so large that highway regulations forbid their passage and they are loaded on railway flatcars for transportation. However in selecting a trailer for the test one of the larger travel types were perferred. Since anything smaller would not provide conditions exacting enough for both driver and machine. The choice for the test was an Airstream, 30 footer, tandum (four-wheel type) which has a reputation for road-ability. Its weight from the factory, amounts to 3,980 lbs, including the interior features such as furniture, stove, refrigerator, waterheater and bathroom plumbing. Not included in the weights are food, dishes and personal effects.
The double aluminum shell is fully insulated and cradled on semi-eliptical springs with beam axles. The center of gravity apparantly is low and rides on H 70 x 15 wheels and carry heavy duty tires for durability. Width of the trailer is 8' 1". In order to establish conditions as close to average as possible, a popular make of car was selected to tow the trailer. It was a 1955 Mercury Monterey 4 door with Merc-O-matic transmission and a 188 HP V8 engine. Since the matter of a proper hitch between the car and trailer is important the Mercury was taken to Howard F. Wards trailer Centre in Los Angeles where a Tour Aid hitch was attached to the frame. The Tour aid is one of several draw bar assists which have been developed to aid in removing the hitch load from the car's bumber and transferring it to the front hence all 4 wheels of the car. An adjustment makes it possible to shift the load back to front to helps keep the car level.
Electric brakes also installed were regulated by a control lever which was mounted on the left side of the steering column. In most tests the car trailer combination was halted by the Airstreams brakes only, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the system. Enroute to the desert the trailer was towed over a mountain road that followed a winding course to several thousand feet in altitude over a 30 mile stretch. The Mercury maintained a good average speed and was easily kicked down into passing gear when neccessary. The driver on this stretch remarked he could not have made much better time in the car alone under the same traffic conditions.
However, it was noted that the steering characteristics did change. As the curve was entered, the natural tendency of the 4 wheeled trailer was to go ahead in a straight line. This had to be compensated for by somewhat great turning of the steering wheel. When coming out of the turn the effort of oversteering had to be compensated for. The steering manouvers soon became instinctive and presented no problem.
The trailer itself, probably because of its aerodynamic shape seemed to offer no resistance to good cornering. Top speeds of the Mercury is in the 100 MPH plus bracket. While operating it with the throttle to the floor boards is not recommended with or without a trailer attached, several runs were made over the flat straight course to determine the handicap of the extra load. As the driver obtained confidence, the actual clocked speeds, considering the altitude factor, rose to a speed of 91.6 MPH. Acceleration of course was considerably reduced and gas mileage was expected to take a considerable drop when towing a trailer of considerable size. From a standing start the Mercury pulled the trailer to 30 MPH in 7 seconds, to 45 MPH in in 13 seconds, and to 60 MPH in 20.1 seconds. Overall mileage on the the test trip, which included the most adverse conditions for maximun results, numberous high speed runs, acceleration and braking, along with prolonged idling of the engine, produced a tank average of 10 MPG. Better figures would be obtained turing normal driving.
Braking through the mountains was with the trailer's system alone. Since this was expected to cause hot drums, a stop was made to check. They were found to be comfortable to touch, a condition that could be attributed to the large brake lining area and plenty of fresh air for cooling. In a severe test again using only the Airstream trailer brakes the car and rig were halted in a panic stop from 60MPH. The measured distance was 150 feet which is about par for the Mercury by itself.
What kinds of conclusions can be reached from the various tests? Obviously anyone can hitch, unhitch and tow a trailer of this type often, "without knowing it was there". A severe cross wind of extremely rough roads could create some handling problems. But under ordinary conditions any ordinary car, with or without power assists, can accomodate the load with ease. Performance will be reduced to approximately one fourth to one third, although a little care will produce average operating costs that are only slightly below normal. (End)
I found this article interesting. In 50 years how far have we progressed?
Here is the link to the original article with "pics"
http://www.airstreamforums.com/forums/sh........f9af2fae&postid=85809#post85809post85809
* This post was
edited 03/23/04 08:38pm by an administrator/moderator *
Airstreams.... the best towing trailers on the planet!
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Diesel-Lover
SW OH!
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From the MPG figures it looks like the airstream was pushing the mercury along! Cars of those days were not all too efficient and then with the added load of a trailer to give 10 mpg is stretching eh!
Enjoy life, let your guard down it happens.
HONA
(Humble Opinion Not Advice)
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tibbitts
Norman, OK
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Joined: 12/15/2002
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Very interesting post. Almost seems too good to believe...
Paul
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HuckleCat
USA
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Joined: 10/22/2002
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Where can I get an old Merc' and a nice old Airstream! That sounds like my kind of combo.
Actually I think old cars in many aspects make for great tow vehicles. When I was growing up, Dad had a 64 GTO convertible which pulled a good size TT (26ft?) with not a problem at all. Had adjustable air shocks installed on rear to keep the tail up though (my brother still has that mint car). From what I have read most full size pre 1974 cars could pull a 30ft TT with little problems. Frame, engine, torque? I need to learn more about that towing stuff with an old car. Would love to have a classic Airstream pulled by a classic auto.
Brett
Since the divorce, camping will be in either:
A tent from wal-mart.
The back of the 1998 Mercury Villager
The back of my new loves Honda Element
or...
On the ground with a $14.95 tarp from Pepboys over us.
Either way, we love the outdoors.
or
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Oasisbob
Portland Oregon 97266
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My thanks to you for taking the time and effort to share this. vERY COOL!! I thought of finding a 50's vintage
Chevy wagon to tow my trailer but it seems the old stuff is comming into style and, dollar wise, out of reach for me.
HAPPY TRAILS
Oasis Bob
Wonderful wife & 4 Really Fun kids
2008 KIA Sedona 3.8L 24 valve V-6
2001 Bantam Trail Lite B-19
HAPPY TRAILS
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weasel4
Alberta
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Joined: 07/06/2003
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Diesel-Lover
Just as a matter of information. I have a 1954 Monarch (Mercury) in my garage totally rebuilt with a 292 Y block engine and a 3 speed overdrive transmission in it. This vehicle on a long cruise, gives me about 23 miles per gallon (Canadian), at around 60-70 mph.
BTC
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
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Ultra Classic
West Palm Beach, FL
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Fun read ...
"an Airstream, 30 footer, tandum (four-wheel type) which has a reputation for road-ability. Its weight from the factory, amounts to 3,980 lbs, including the interior features such as furniture, stove, refrigerator, waterheater and bathroom plumbing."
A new Airstream 30 Classic widebody now shows an empty weight without options of 7,230 lbs. The new trailers are only 730 lbs. short of weighing twice as much as the old. No wonder we need bigger tow vehicles ...
2005 Airstream Bambi Safari 19
2006 Harley-Davidson Road King Custom
2005 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD QuadCab SRW LB BigHorn
Miriam, Reluctant Navigator  , Stephen, Captain of the Road 
Sir Wooferman Wellington BugEater III  , Cock-a-Poo Watch-Pup
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WV Camper
Salem, WV
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Joined: 03/13/2004
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That weight struck me also. Those were fine trailers and weighed far less. I wonder where all the weight in the newer campers is.
Mike
Mike , Elissa, Becca, John, Daisy the Mutt, and Trudy the camp dog
2004 Dodge SLT 2500 4x4 QC 5.7L Hemi 2004 Wilderness 270FQS
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femuse
Southern Virginia
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Joined: 02/22/2003
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[quote] I wonder where all the weight in the newer campers is.[/quote]
I can tell you: in what is known as "contemporary bordello look".
Our 1971 & 1974 have very efficient cabinetry, made of very light & strong materials. The 1990 has clunky wood & mirrors all around.
First thing we did was remove the 14lbs spice rack, the mirror next to kitchen sink, the brass & rust electrical fixtures,... etc..
That's were most of the weight comes from: trying to duplicate what I call: "single wide" chic.
[to be fair: grey water tank were added around 1973]
Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.
__________________
Chantal & Mike
working on the road: 1990 Airstream Excella 32' & 1998 International 4700
_________________ now with "Easy Rider Air Hitch"
now retired & staying home: 1974 Airstream International Ambassador 29'
1971 Airstream Land Yacht TradeWind 25'
1990 Chevy Van G-30, 454, extended wheel base
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Diesel-Lover
SW OH!
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Weasel4,
That is totally awesome mpg for a vintage vehicle with old technology and big mass. How does the Canadian Gallon convert to US gallon? Would be interesting to figure out the efficiency of the vehicle per lb and cross compare with todays mercury or ford!
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