[jerseyjoe]

Need to tow 3800 lbs max, 3000 LB travel trailer with 500lbs of gear + - food and a bit of water. I see the Cad SRX 2.8 is rated 3500lbs:

http://www.onlinetowingguide.com/guidelines/towing_capacities.html

I think the 3.5 should do it but that 4 speed trans would be the limiting factor. Can I bolt in a stand alone automatic 3 speed torqueflite etc? Want to be emissions legal at a roadside test. I plan to travel up and down the East Coast so its basically flat. Any suggestions. rear from a magnum wagon comes to mind. A full time SUV is out of the question.


Thanks

 

[jerseyjoe]

Hi,
I see you all over this place, anything that you haven't done? No other vehicle, thinking of getting a 30 year old van and make it fit my needs. We have 2 vehicles and I need to keep it that way, limited parking.

 

[jerseyjoe]

Am a lowing novice as far as the mechanicals go, Did tow a lot with pickups that were set up for that.

Found class II carrier with a tong weight of 350lbs ant tow rating of 3500 lbs. Brakes, suspension, and cooling can be fixed. Trans is my main question, there is a stand alone 6 speed for racing, wondering about trans adapter. Cant really see the difference between a magnum and a challenger as far as platform design except for wheel base. Would I have to reinforce the rear sub frame? Has to be styiin machine I tow with, minivan is out.

 

[jerseyjoe]

The carrier is rated for 3500 lbs, but that doesn't mean the car is.

The CGVWR is the legal definition of what you can do.

Best to find another vehicle that can tow what you need to tow.

Thank You, that's what I need to know. I did say that I don;t know the mechanicals of towing. So I need to dump the Challenger for something else.

I do want to look good (and safe) going down the road. Saw a 74 RamCharger that might fit the bill.

 

[jerseyjoe]

If I had one of those I wouldn't need a travel trailer cause I would get there the same day!!! That would make it real easy to dump my Challenger.

 

[jerseyjoe]

I want to tow a travel trailer to site see the East Coast, Figure a 3000 Lb one would fit our needs. It might make a nice man cave when not in use.

 

[jerseyjoe]

The Ramcharger was a Canadian Coastguard vehicle and maintained very well, restored to about 90%, drive train looked brand new with fresh serial numbers on the springs and 318 torqueflite that was like a real good original condition piece. I've got a soft spot for the thing but even the 2 year old body work had a bubble over 1 rear wheel well those things were rust magnets.I could easily maintain it and change oil without a ramp or lift. A B van is an excellent idea but I would still have to part with my Challenger, gotta be something really great to make me want to do it. I think a 2008 Pacifica 4.0 6 speed all black with mild custom would be a grand way to get around. Retired on fixed income I can only support 2 vehicles (maybe) anyway I can do that for a couple of years. Wife has a 300 2.7, worlds largest economy car. If we ever need to go to 1 vehicle it will be a new 300C but we wish they still made a Magnum wagon.

A travel trailer would fit our needs because we would only need it 30 to 60 days of the year, when not in use it only needs tire maintenance and house keeping.

My son has my old 1968 Chrysler, I remember those towing large Cabin Cruisers back then. Guess rules have change since then or people have been made more aware. A 383 with a torqueflite all original. Imagine a transmission that only needs fluid and filter changes every 100K! We do a band adjustment every couple of years so the fluid stays fresh. He has a 440 truck motor that may some day wind up making it a 13 second 1/4 mile car!! No kidding there was one at our drag strip, AC and all!! 3.90 gears help it. Car is 3800 lbs empty and looks like an air craft carrier when you drive it.

 

[jerseyjoe]

I think there should be a towing/travel Forum at Allpar.

Can't bring myself to dump my Challenger for a tow only vehicle yet. Need to know a lot more and discuss it. At least I know the Challenger can't do more than a 1000lbs while a 91 New Yorker is rated for 2000lbs. I see that the 1967 Chrysler says not to exceed 5000 Lbs. Son has a 68, that fits my bill for stylin.

Since RV pics.com closed it may invite more traffic.

 

[jerseyjoe]

That 5000lbs for the 67/68 and such is dependent on the proper equipment. HD springs, brakes, radiator, transmission cooler. Full size cars in the U.S. used to be the same chassis a 1/2T P/Us. Or to look at it the other way, 1/2T P/Us used the same brakes wheels, tires, axles as the full size cars.

For sure I would do all that, 383 low RPM torque would be nice.

It appears that your wish has been granted...

Yes, I have been there I thank everyone for their help.

http://www.allpar.com/forums/forum/212-towing/