Tow vehicle: IH Travelall vs. Jeep Gladiator

[casm]

Question for anyone with experience of either the IH Travelall or Jeep Gladiator: friends of mine are looking for a tow vehicle (1973 or earlier, so no smog) capable of hauling 6000-7000lbs. of trailer, car, occupants, and gear. Must have 4WD, though this is more for use in bad weather than wheeling.

Is anyone with experience of these vehicles able to give me a brief rundown of their pros and cons? I know next to nothing about either one, and naturally anyone who has one and has written about it on-line loves it but never really talks about the downsides.

 

[RKBA]

My uncle had an IH Travelall when I was young. I think his was a 392/4 speed combo. I would think that getting parts for that beast might be a pain. Most of the drivetrain stuff should be pretty easy, but a vehicle that old is likely to need things like heater cores, PS gearboxes, clutch linkage parts and other junk. I am not sure that it is cheap or easy to score them for the Travelall.

Pre-AMC J series can be a little wierd as well. The last few years of the Kaiser era they had Buick V8s available and that would be the only ones that I would look at. Any of them that had the Rambler 327 V8 or I6s should be avoided.

For a pre-73 Tow rig I would think about a Chevy 3/4 ton truck or Suburban. There will be a lot more restoration parts available and a good bit of GM parts are interchangeable.

 

[Dirk Pitt]

Gladiators are great, but the Travelall is as cool as they come.

 

[Lawn Cher']

You are comparing a regular cab pickup to a full size SUV... apples and oranges. Both are rather unusual, so points for that, but again it could be a detriment in the repair department.

 

[casm]

You are comparing a regular cab pickup to a full size SUV... apples and oranges.

Understood. Occasional cargo capacity is a factor, but closed-back (Travelall) vs. open (Gladiator) isn't. The main need for either of these is in the towing department.

Both are rather unusual, so points for that, but again it could be a detriment in the repair department.

Agreed, but for the amount of use they're likely to see (probably once a month at most) this shouldn't be much of a problem. The potential buyers are mechanically-competent and can handle their own work, so as long as it's ready for race days / lugging cars around the place, either one should be fine. The main thing is to try to find one that's pre-smog - it doesn't make sense to try to have to meet emissions on something that's used a dozen times a year.

 

[noresttill]

I would go withe the gladiator or FS Jeep.. a early 70s suburban we had one of those and it was awesome, I would get one of those before the travelall

 

[bajacalal]

I know, I know, its not the answer to your question but I would get one of these.

Dodge Ram, Cummins turbo diesel. The one pictured is 2WD manual which I would prefer (maybe you want auto for towing) because the newer autos anyway don't seem to like the Cummins torque- just based off what I hear. I'm sure you could find a 4x4 one just as easy as a travelall or FSJ they aren't that common. Earlier model Cummins can be had at a decent price though the newer ones do have more power. No CA smog checks. For towing, I would prefer the diesel anyday over the thirsty carb motor. I have a 77 powerwagon, 318, 3spd auto. Gas mileage isin't bad, but under any load it just sucks down gas faster than you think a 318 could.

 

[casm]

I know, I know, its not the answer to your question but I would get one of these.

Actually, I'm not opposed to the idea and agree with you on the diesel - but it's not my vehicle. I think they're looking for something a bit older and funkier. It's going to be lugging old Alfa-Romeos, Lancias, and Citroens around the place, so the Travelall or Gladiator (or maybe a Commando... Hmmm...) kinda fits in better. Otherwise, yeah, something like that would be my choice.

 

[Lawn Cher']

Actually, I'm not opposed to the idea and agree with you on the diesel - but it's not my vehicle. I think they're looking for something a bit older and funkier. It's going to be lugging old Alfa-Romeos, Lancias, and Citroens around the place, so the Travelall or Gladiator (or maybe a Commando... Hmmm...) kinda fits in better. Otherwise, yeah, something like that would be my choice.

I wouldn't compare a Commando, as cool as they are, to the original vehicles discussed in this thread with regard to towing capacity. What about a M715/725?

 

[LRRH]

M715 is going to be a pain in the arse with the stock gearing. Max 55mph,no creature comforts, etc.

The travelall is without a doubt the hardest to find parts for. Mega cool.......yeah........but it also has the potential to be the biggest pain in the but.

My choice would be a 68-70 Gladiator. Main reason, Buick 350. Have one in my 70 Wag. reat motor. parts are fairly easy to find. need a part fast.....go to autozone and tell them you have a 70 skylark =)

if it's an auto it'll have a TH400. If it's a manual find a 4spd and it's a T18. Transfer case is Dana 20 regardless.

also, all the waggy parts swap over to it so it's not that hard to add AC or some of the upgraded interior items.

the overall downside of the vehicles you've looking at is that they will all have 4wheel drum brakes. =( it's never been a problem on my 70 wag but I've never towed 6000lbs with it either.

i have owned my 70 waggy for 8 years and it is the most reliable car I have ever owned (in 15 years of driving). I've only ever had two problems with it (other than maintenance or upgrades), 1 - Starter Solenoid died. Who knows how old it was 2 - blew a PCV grommet while driving and suffered major vaccuum loss. Duct tape got me home though.


any questions....just ask away.

 

[Bent]

the overall downside of the vehicles you've looking at is that they will all have 4wheel drum brakes. =( it's never been a problem on my 70 wag but I've never towed 6000lbs with it either.

Mashing down on the brakes is always a bit of a white knuckled crap shoot.


Wheeeeeee Haaaaaaa!

 

[WTF]

A Travelall with a 12 valve cummins swapped in would be sweet... Looks funky, hauls about as many people as your average short-bus, and wil haul a$$ if the diesel is built right.

 

[noresttill]

http://www.tedvernon.com/showroom.htm

If I had the space to store it, it would have been mine a month ago.

 

[Darky]

http://www.tedvernon.com/showroom.htm

If I had the space to store it, it would have been mine a month ago.

Yes!! This is my goal for the future. I will buy one. Use it for moving, hauling the kids and friends and everybody else around town (with bows, canvas and benches of course) or off-road (obviously not tight small trails...), ultimate tailgater with room for grills, coolers, people, and other stuff in the back, and just cruising around town. So many people would likely behave differently seeing that thing in their rear view mirrors...

I take it back...I thought that was the 5 ton. That's the one I want, not a 2.5 ton...

 

[ILLXJ]

I would hate to tow any distance with one. Slow as hell. Been there done that. JIM.

 

[casm]

And moving swiftly back to the original part of the thread...

...Anyone have any ownership / usage wisdom to impart on either the Travelall or Gladiator? Hell, I'll even expand that out to the Commando just for Grits & Shiggles.