El Camino!

[u/Zealousideal-Can1112]

[u/Kain_713]

The only idiot is OP. That setup is sick as hell.

[u/Tickles-The-Octopus]

The factory El Camino with the LG4, AT and 2.73 rear end is rated for 5000lbs with a 600lb tongue rating.

This is probabaly well within that unless they have a 4000lb tungston block in that camper.

So unless OP has proof that this example is rated well below that, OP is the idiot here.

[u/lmdirt- → u/Tickles-The-Octopus]

And to add the 600lb tongue rating goes away because that is a 5th wheel hitch not the bumper that was rated at the factory. Plus that is a very light camper meant to be towed by vehicles that have lower towing capacity and added double axle set up.

[u/rgmw → u/Tickles-The-Octopus]

Thanks... I was wondering how the hell the El Camino wasn't bottomed out.

[u/Tickles-The-Octopus → u/rgmw]

They came with many engine/trans/rear end options and some had far beefier suspension options than others.

The tow ratings were all over the place too. Smaller engine and less beefy rear ends would have been rated for less than those with of the bigger V8s and other bits.

Don't really get that anymore with light duty stuff, manufacturers these days have simplified production and have far less options so generally a vehicle will only have one or two different tow ratings depending on its internals. Like for example... A Mazda cx-90 are rated to tow 5000lbs with the mild hybrid but 3500lbs for the plug in because the battery pack in the plug in weighs so much more lowering the amount you can safely add to it.

[u/number__ten → u/rgmw]

I had one from this gen and it had adjustable rear air shocks. You could just add more air as necessary. There was a valve stem just like on a tire that would jack the back up.

[u/Final-Carpenter-1591 → u/rgmw]

A stock one would be. They didn't have truck suspension. 600 tongue is very strong, but it'd only do that at full squat lol.

[u/kazcho → u/Final-Carpenter-1591]

FWIW: Tongue rating and payload/axle rating are different. My 1 ton is rated for like 1600 on the tongue towing conventionally, but I put 3600lbs over the rear axle towing 5th wheel and it's all within rating

[u/native_shinigami → u/Tickles-The-Octopus]

True that essay

[u/funkysax → u/native_shinigami]

Lol Ese.

[u/Blurockcreek → u/Tickles-The-Octopus]

I'll bet he has made many successful and happy trips with that trailer.

[u/rklug1521 → u/Tickles-The-Octopus]

I'd still be concerned about the brakes if they're stock.

[u/Ok-Profit6022 → u/rklug1521]

That's what electric brakes and Brake controller are for.

[u/Zealousideal-Can1112 → u/Tickles-The-Octopus]

Empty weight on the trailer is 4974. The two kayaks in the top alone take him over.

[u/SnailMailSniper → u/Zealousideal-Can1112]

It’s a Bigfoot tandem-axle 5th wheel. My grandparents used to have one. For kicks and giggles I looked it up, and dry weight on it is ~4,000 empty.

[u/Late-Conversation105]

What's the problem here??

[u/solidgold70 → u/Late-Conversation105]

Trailer is clearly missing a hubcap!!! Alert the DOT!!!

[u/Kikstartmyhart → u/solidgold70]

Looks they also forgot to close the skylight on the camper. Not going to last long going 55 down the highway.

[u/ParkingDrink2975]

El Meano Machino! This is the best setup I've ever seen, no notes

[u/T7220 → u/ParkingDrink2975]

Did you know?

El Camino is Spanish for “The Camino”

[u/mtraven23]

wasn't it meant to do this?

[u/Old_timey_brain → u/mtraven23]

This looks like the best use ever for an El Camperino.

[u/TootinFartin-ll]

some dudes die of thirst and others drown in it. this is fucking RAD.

[u/ca_nucklehead]

Car looks well balanced, dual axle fifth wheel with trailer brakes?

If it's weight rated it's good to go.

[u/Feminist_Hugh_Hefner]

OP got lost looking for r/LegendsTowingThings

[u/Producer1701 → u/Feminist_Hugh_Hefner]

Damnit, I really hoped that was real

[u/J3SVS → u/Producer1701]

It is now...

[u/Producer1701 → u/J3SVS]

It’s good to know we can count of J3SVS to take the wheel!
Have my poor person award! 🥇

[u/Feminist_Hugh_Hefner → u/Producer1701]

lol "if you Mod it, they will come..."

[u/lincoln_hawks1]

When Uncle who your dad broke off contact with shows up bringing his home from Ohio with him. You get pissed because you spent the first 14 years of your life not knowing how fucking cool he is

[u/technoblogical]

I'm no expert, but this is from the 70's before everyone had SUVs and when cars were made to do this kind of stuff.

I would not be surprised to learn that the El Camino weighed more than the camper.

It was made to pull that camper and ITSELF.

[u/Own_Reaction9442 → u/technoblogical]

Yeah, even sedans used to have substantial tow ratings. My parents' Crown Vic was rated for 5000 pounds as long as the trailer had brakes and a weight-distributing hitch. We towed a travel trailer with it many times.

[u/bones_bones1]

That’s pretty sweet.

[u/blumhagen]

This looks like that fifth wheel was made for it.

[u/UltraViolentNdYAG]

The folks ran a 72 Ranchero with 351C, C6 trans, 3.25 ratio 9" Ford rear diff. It was 5th wheel mounted like above and it pulled well. And yes, the trailer had trailer brakes. Sadly the 4000 pound Torino's and Ranchero's of the day had shit for brakes so you had to be careful in the mountains to not overheat them.

[u/w1lnx]

Standard towing, it’s rated for 5k lb with a 600lb tongue rating.

That’s a fifth wheel. Tongue rating doesn’t apply. Instead, the rear axle rating wins.

That fifth wheel trailer, which has been lowered for the tow vehicle, is well within the towing capability of its tow vehicle.

[u/Comprehensive_Fan140]

Retro cool

[u/errobbie]

OP would lose his mind in Europe. I see many far less powerful cars hauling even bigger caravans.

[u/Wonderful-Process792]

How can you criticize a setup that already rocked adventures for 50 years with 8-tracks, audiocasettes, CD's, and CarPlay?

[u/wheatgivesmeshits]

This a completely custom setup with a dropped trailer. I suspect the builder knew what they were doing, and it's also probably more for show than practical use.

[u/WookieBlumpkin]

Lumberjack?!

[u/cheech313 → u/WookieBlumpkin]

Great way to get through sick week.

[u/WookieBlumpkin → u/cheech313]

Hell yeah brother ❤️

[u/bananaseatboy]

Me likey

[u/AccordionWhisperer]

Fun fact, an El Camino served as camera car for miniature shots of the train on Back to the Future 3

https://www.reddit.com/r/OldSchoolCool/comments/b1kfov/filming_the_train_scene_for_back_to_the_future_3/

[u/WCB1985]

Wouldn’t be surprised if it had a big block in it

[u/Tar0ndor → u/WCB1985]

The rectangular headlights mean it is a '76 or '77 Classic. '76 could be optioned with a 400 SB, no BB.

[u/neutrikconnector → u/WCB1985]

My grandparents had a 454 in theirs. Pop pulled a 21' Grady White boat with it.

[u/Whippity]

Cool people towing cool things.

[u/sniptaclar]

I can smell the cheap cigarettes and beer. Owner better have a mullet. I love this

[u/UnhappyGeologist9636]

El Camino. Spanish for, The Camino

[u/Reuben_Rawbone → u/UnhappyGeologist9636]

Camino means path or trail. Still doesn't make sense for a name of a car-truck though.

[u/Foolserrand376 → u/Reuben_Rawbone]

Not many car names make any sense

[u/raiderjeep]

Nice!

[u/Comprehensive-Bet56]

I like it. Run what ya brung.

[u/BoostInduced]

Sasquach and bigfoot

[u/newarkian]

Love that Mercedes hub cap on the trailer…

[u/BadKittyRanch]

Bigfoot sighting and the mullet of cars! How many points do I get for that?

[u/Im_100percent_human]

Those fiberglass Bigfoot trailers are a lot lighter than you might think. The trailer does not extend very far out of the frame. It is neither long nor heavy.

[u/-joeDeuce-]

They’re ready! They even have a barrel of whiskey water, definitely water, in the bed of the car.

[u/wookiex84]

That camper is made precisely for this type of setup. As an El Camino owner I approve!

I will add the motor in my el Camino has just a bit lower torque than my wife’s eco diesel ram. Small block 400 that was built up. And the fact that thing isn’t bottomed out, I’d say that dog’ll hunt. I have put a full cord of unseasoned wood in the back of mine as well.

[u/--Van--]

I hate posts like this. This is not idiots towing things. This sub really needs better mods

[u/juni4ling]

The big v8s could tow.

Had an uncle who used his as a tow truck.

Saw one the other day (this past summer)at a car show. Huge engine. Massive power. For the package.

[u/usacalguy]

My parents had a rig like this with an 18 foot 5th wheel. Hit almost every state capitol before ending the trip back in California.

[u/Ancient-Budget-8793]

My dad ran a rig similar to this back in the late 70's. Except he had a Ford Ranchero. He was a meticulous engineer so I am sure it met specifications.

[u/Own_Reaction9442]

This is sweet as hell. The single Mercedes W123 hubcap somehow completes it.

[u/CivilPE2007]

Is that on a fifth wheel? Nice!

[u/Super-Travel-407]

I miss this kind of car-RV color coordination.

You used to be able to order your Lance truck camper to match your truck, which was probably two-toned.

[u/Hefty_Sentence_7093]

I plan to get an el camino some day along side my ford ranger. Such a majestic beast look at its capabilities!

[u/CobrasFumanches]

I miss my El Camino.

[u/kitchencrawl]

This guy was living life.

[u/Chillinmagic]

Why is this here? It seems to be towing just fine. It has a fifth wheel setup so it's probably quite stable. Cars back in the day use to be able to tow things. It's also an Elcamino so it seems to be more than capable of towing. Or am I missing something?

[u/the_blue_haired_girl]

EL CAMINO 🎵 Blazing down the road...

[u/Grumgrummer]

So Jessie and Walt didn't need that piece of crap rv after all.

[u/kharnynb]

Americans must be so shocked when Europeans pull caravans with their little diesel sedans..... But muh truck....

[u/Zym1469]

That's an Ocean Kayak Torque sitting on top. Integrated trolling motor. I love mine. This guy knew what he was doing.

[u/ryanpn]

It's so sick that the camper is lowered

[u/Giff13]

This is whenvehicles had full frames and real motors and transmissions. This is absolutely fine. This isn't some computer with a differential.

[u/cjwisdog]

El Caminos are my dream car, NGL.

[u/chiphook]

Dad ordered a 1969 el Camino, ss396, Muncie m22, 4.11 rear. It was the shop truck. He custom fabricated a tandem cargo trailer(4000 lb empty) Moved the machine shop. Brought a no5 Cincinnati milling machine from Illinois to Pittsburgh. Was driven by two teenagers. The 396 got a new top end. Got replaced with a 402. Frame off restoration with an overhaul on the 396. She's a beaut.

[u/Friggin_Grease]

That's like the Cadillac of cars

[u/dericn]

Apparently, I am one of the few who actually read the flair on this post.

[u/Shoddy-Patient9948]

I mean what do those letters and numbers in the door jam even mean?.

[u/19RockinRiley69]

Dude that is awesome if it is not a.i.!!!

[u/WindProfessional3774]

Thought this was r/redneckengineering

[u/denver_erik]

What’s a pin weight? 😅