[Mark C.]

Okay guys. I have this 70 Bonne I just bought and my 76 TA. How pheasible would it be to tow my TA with the Bonne? My stock TA weighs what, about 3500lbs? The trailer I'd use weighs 1500lbs. Of course I would equip the Bonne with trailer brakes, tranny cooler and temp gauge. It has the 360 horse 455 in it w/ 400 turbo.

If it would be possible, where would I find a trailer hitch? I just half hearted started to look for a hitch, with no luck.

I've seen the big old Land Yachts tow drag cars before. First hand in nostalgic pictures.

My reason: I have two cars and only one driver. I would like to take both of them to select shows. My wife has vision problems and doesn't want to drive the Bonne, too big!

Your thoughts?

[dxeven]

Mark,
I know I wouldn't do it, but then again if I was towing any distance I wouldn't tow a trailer with that kind of weight with anything less than a 3/4 ton truck (2500 series GM/Dodge, 250 series Ford). For one, I think in order to get enough tongue weight to keep the trailer from fish-tailing it would trash the rear springs of the Bonne. The next problem is stopping the rig once up to speed. Even with trailer brakes I would think you'd want to keep plenty of room between you and what's ahead. Back in the '70's my Dad used to pull cars he would buy out of town with cars similar to your Bonnie but without a trailer. That way the weight of the towed car wasn't on the tow vehicle. Maybe someone else has more experience than me that will have a better answer for you. Good luck.
Dave

[455Grandville]

Main problem I found when towing was trying to find rear springs that were worth a damn. My 76 Bonnie had a class III hitch and a factory HD towing package. I installed HD towing springs & HD shocks (TWICE ! ) from supposed quality companies. Intially the car sat high on the back like a 70s hot rod; and this is how it looked 2 months later after just towing a small trailer a few times :

[engineer]

no problem once you have some custom rear springs made up.

[Mark C.]

455, Wow it sagging pretty good. That's what I was concerned about. Tearing up the rear suspension.

I figured I would need to get a custom hitch. I don't want to tear my car up, so I would try to get some good springs. I don't have much money currently. I may have to put this on the back burner for bit.

[455Grandville]

I cant say the towing did that. I think the springs might have been rebuilt, that is Ive heard some places reheat old ones stretch them out and sell em as new ones. The trailer I towed was one trip with a car dolley towing a Cavalier, and two trips with a light coleman pop up trailer. I was really pi$$ed off that this happened twice in such a short period.

[mattgouras]

My '69 has the factory load leveler. It's pretty cool in that a canister connected to manifold vacuum pumps up the rear air shocks when the rear end sinks below too low and triggers the system. I don't know if something like that would help out with towing, if you can find one around.

[stevep]

I think that you will be fine towing with the Bonneville once you get the rear springs up to par. A local friend towed his 64 2+2 all over the country with his 73 Catalina with no issues.

[goatless]

Like I said over on CP, I think air bags in the rear springs would be the way to go. Pump 'em up when you need them. I plan on putting a set in my Bonnie Safari.
A sway bar would be a great idea too, is there one made for the big cars?

[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by stevep

I think that you will be fine towing with the Bonneville once you get the rear springs up to par. A local friend towed his 64 2+2 all over the country with his 73 Catalina with no issues.

I remember going to RV resorts as a kid; in the early 70s big cars were the norm for pulling trailers. Pickups back then werent the leather trimed luxury vehicles they are today. If you can find airbags it would be the way to go.

[Mark C.]

Here is a link I found for Airlift air bags, specifically for a 70 Bonne. Now to find a rear sway bar. Any ideas?

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...Browse/s-10101

[mike nixon]

use air bags and variable rate rear springs.

coil spring specialties can wind you a set of springs up.

measure your frame and go to a rural king or farm store and measure the hitches they have in stock.

check hotchkiss for the rear bar. i was told that a 73-7 bar will fit these cars also. i have no clue if that's valid info but it's worth looking into.

mike

[Mark C.]

Thanks Mike. Alot of good info.

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by Mark C.

Now to find a rear sway bar. Any ideas?

I think that if you know someone who can measure correctly, then having one fabricated may not be a problem?

[Stuart]

Addco sells sway bars. http://www.addco.net/AntiSwaybars_List.htm

[Mark C.]

Thanks Stuart. I checked them out and the do have one for my car as you stated. They are located not that far from me either.

[copper128]

I'd recommend against the Addco bar. The have an inferior mounting set-up and are too low and look lousy when installed.
Use a factory 71-76 rear bar. I'm pretty sure Dedsleds has one available. It's a simple installation and looks clean and "factory".

I installed one on my '67 Olds 88 and it made a very noticeable difference in handling. See my post on RealOldsPower.com for details: http://72.22.90.30/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=24880

I'll second the air-lift bag recommendation, much better than air shocks. Also make sure your brakes are in top condition before towing. Set up the trailer brake controller to apply the trailer brakes slightly before the tow car's brakes start to grab.

Glenn

[JD-Iowa]

Speaking from experience with that vintage of Bonne. It has the power and mass capable of pulling, controlling and stopping that much weight IF you have the proper hitch with load levellers, a GOOD tranny cooler and brakes on ALL trailer wheels. I (and a lot of others) towed campers that weighed that much and more all over this country in the late 60's and early 70's with American full sized and midsized automobiles. They absolutely require load leveller hitches, 3 or 4 core radiators and electronic brake controls. People forget that these cars outweigh the current 3/4 ton pickups. They have the horsepower to spare as well. As far as safe breaking not even the current tonner duallies can stop a heavy trailer without proper trailer brakes. Again, you need load levellers on your hitch, otherwise you will destroy your rear springs. One other rear spring option that I know will work for towing, but not so good when not towing is to find a new set of rear coils for the early 60's 3/4 ton chevy pickup. They will fit but the car will ride REAL rough when not towing. Chevy only used coils for one year of 3/4 ton production. I can't remember now if it was 62, 63 or 64.

[Mark C.]

JD, Would you explain load levellers? The trailer I can use has brakes on all four wheels. Do you still recomend the levellers with air bags. I don't have much experience with towing, and I want to do this right. I was also thinking about replacing the springs with stock replacements. Your thoughts?

Copper, couldn't find much on dedsleds. Can you help out?

[DanC]

To safely tow a trailer, in addition to your brake controller, find a Class III hitch that will fit your FS Pontiac (maybe look for a late model FS rear drive GM) or a universal fit. Then use a Equalizer Hitch setup. Referred to in another post as "Load Levelers". This elimnates and need for rear spring change or blown out bags while towing! The Eq hitches are avail on eBay with different capacities. You would want the 600/10,00 lb on. That is spring bars for 600 lb tonuge weight and 10k lb towing. The spring bars allow you to distribute the weight on all 3 axles and lower you rear fenderwell clearance only 1" with trailer loaded.

The images below are of my '93 "TowMaster" wagon with factory 5000# tow package (and the auto level system eliminated) and eq system hooked up. It has a 5.7 TBI (190 HP), and 3.23 rear end. I tow a tilt bed trailer 2000# empty with the GTO on it.

DanC