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RedSHED · 03-06-2007, 04:52 PM

Looking through some of the towing threads, there are a number of "Can I tow a _____ with a _____?"

This made me think of some of the stranger towing experiences I've had, and I'm sure I'm not alone.

F'rinstance, there was the 120 lb of peat moss I towed home with the bicycle. Or for that matter, when our folding bike arrived at the dealer, I rode over and stuck it in the trailer and pulled it home... with the bicycle.

But before all that... there was the time I pulled the diminutive Sunfish sailboat home with the Ford Expedition. I literally couldn't tell if it was back there except for when we turned corners.

On the other end of the scale, after college but before kids, I used to monkey around with sailplanes. For a couple years I owned and flew a Schweizer 1-26, very much like John and Lu's pictured in this link: (Mon NM group Departing
The trailer was between 26-30' long, and maybe 6.5' tall at its highest. At first I used an F150 which was nice 'n stable up to 82mph (with the sailplane on the trailer) and up to some speed beyond the peg without.

Later, I traded the Ford for a 2-door Accord. It actually wasn't that big of a deal. Crosswinds got a little sketchy, but I knew of guys pulling similar trailers with a VW Bug and a Fiero! The Fiero had the ball mounted right over the rear wheels, so it was really more like a fifth wheel, but still...

So... What's your goofiest load or combo?

lewster · 03-06-2007, 06:52 PM

I was in a local RV Resort today and saw a rather incredible sight. Not just a 34' A/S triple axel trailer, but what a tow vehicle

. I saw this coming down the road earlier in the day and just couldn't believe it. What do YOU think???

Well, couldn't upload the shot due to large file size, but it was a 34' Classic triple axel being towed by a.......DODGE MAGNUM. No HAHA either. .......and all the way to FL from Canada!

I'll be sure to post when this guy leaves, as I'm sure that you will ALL want to be off the roads

**markdoane** · 03-06-2007, 07:17 PM

. . . from Canada, huh?

Maybe from our friends at Can-Am, like this? (It's a Jaguar with a HaHa)

GreatPumpkin · 03-06-2007, 07:27 PM

Personally I like the SSR with the CCD

- Now where do I put the kids?

Devoman · 03-06-2007, 07:34 PM

Didnt someone post that picture with a Dodge Magnum a long time ago.It was Silver I think.
I can not remember all of it but it was the person who fabricated hitch setups to any vehicle to pull large Airstreams.Correct me if I am wrong

lewster · 03-06-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markdoane

. . . from Canada, huh?

Maybe from our friends at Can-Am, like this? (It's a Jaguar with a HaHa)

You have hit the nail on the head!!!!! It is almost the same rig....Dodge 300 with a Hemi. They MUST have done it, but I sure wouldn't DRIVE IT

!

On the flip side, I also saw a new 25LE FB with a HAHA and a new Dodge 1 ton dually for a TV. Just a little 'overkill' IMHO!!!

3Ms75Argosy · 03-06-2007, 08:28 PM

I wouldn't turn my back on a Dodge Charger (titanium grey pls) RT as a tow vehicle. Big brakes, engine... that'll pull AND stop my Argosy just fine. Heck, even the "standard" Hemi would do fine. Short rear overhang too.

Biggest issues that I can think of is tranny life and cooling abliity.... I'm sure a suitable hitch, if connected at enough places, wouldn't tear off, would it?
I wish I could talk to some of those owners.

Marc

Fyrzowt · 03-06-2007, 08:39 PM

I knew a guy once -

- back before he got educated in the ways of towing. He used to tow a 25' Safari around with a 1988 4-runner. Yes the V-6 was way under powered. No fun in a headwind or on a hill. But rock solid on the road. Great suspension, weight distribution, sway bar. Not bad in a hard stop.

Would I recommend anyone do it? NOPE!

But this guy and his family used it to go all around California, the Sierras and one trip to Yellowstone and back.

Is that crazy or what?
Dave

Silvertwinkie · 03-06-2007, 08:48 PM

What is it with them Canadians anyway?

Fyrzowt · 03-06-2007, 08:49 PM

Yeah, he was Canadian. He was, he was...

Silvertwinkie · 03-06-2007, 08:51 PM

No offense, but they usually are....

GStephens · 03-06-2007, 09:01 PM

I just posted to a fellow on this forum who was pulling a 31' with a Buick Station Wagon that had only a 5000# tow package. At 80%, he should be pulling 4000# max. Loaded, that 31' would weigh twice what he should be pulling.
GStephens

Silvertwinkie · 03-06-2007, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GStephens

I just posted to a fellow on this forum who was pulling a 31' with a Buick Station Wagon that had only a 5000# tow package. At 80%, he should be pulling 4000# max. Loaded, that 31' would weigh twice what he should be pulling.
GStephens

Been there, done that, wrote the book (except mine was a 25' and a Chevy sedan of similar vintage). I upgraded the PCM, intake, shocks (bilsteins), springs (cargo in rear), gears (to 3.73), driveshaft, upgraded 5/8 ball joints, added secondary trans cooling (a second trans cooler), beefier lower control arms and everything worked very well, except when the wind came....then it was white knuckle city...and I'm not even Canadian either!

3Ms75Argosy · 03-06-2007, 09:18 PM

But that Molson sure is good!

Marc

Paul Ouellette · 03-06-2007, 10:17 PM

Group :

Our Safari 25 is towed by our Nissan Altima (3.5litre) V6.

We have been from Windsor Ontario to Annapolis Maryland 4 times & down to Florida 5 times.

The hitch weight of the 25 is about 700lbs & that's about the same as 3 big men in the back seat...dispite what the brochures may say about towing capabilities.

For those of you that may feel I have a death wish because I'm not pulling a bambi with a hummer...let me assure you that I've been up & down some pretty big mountains (north & south on I75) & it handles them very well.

Can-Am in London Ont. set up & balanced the rig & as far as I can tell from my experiences so far from 6yrs of ownership (which have included some quick evasive actions) it all works just fine.

Our plans are to soon move up to a Mercedes M-class with the new desiel engine & this will allow us to trade up to either the Classic 31 or 34.

For those of you that may be shocked & are wondering about all this, have a look here RV Lifestyle - Hitch Hints & Wagon Masters

Of course folks, I'll readily admit...the hitch being in perfect balance is a critical factor...but these are Airstreams after all & once they get rolling down the road they roll along very nicely indeed.

As for myself, I tend to be conservitive & drive along at about 55-60mph down the slow lane of the highways & have lots of miles to prove this works.

Paul.
Winpipe Homepage
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GlenCoombe · 03-07-2007, 06:10 AM

Canadians are just naturally adventurous, and daring! My father has been somewhat famous for towing at high speeds from the west end of Toronto up into the Peterboro area... He thought nothing of towing his pop-up at 90 mph.

My strangest tow was a delivery of a twin engine inboard-outboard cabin cruiser from Ocala to Daytona Beach. The boat was a beast at 26' and up on a tri-axle aluminum trailer. My E-150 Ford van had a full high top conversion and a 300 inline six with an automatic. As luck would have it their are no hills to speak of between the two points and all went well. Just took a long time to slow down.
The new owner was a manager of a very nice hotel and provided room and board at the destination as well as our delivery fee.
The old van ran forever but was a tough sell with it's "arm-strong" steering....no power steering.

Moonstruck · 03-07-2007, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markdoane

. . . from Canada, huh?

Maybe from our friends at Can-Am, like this? (It's a Jaguar with a HaHa)

I'll let you into something even funnier than that! Underneath that Jag exterior, the cars a Ford Mondeo floorpan! A compact in US terms!

GlenCoombe · 03-07-2007, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonstruck

Underneath that Jag exterior, the cars a Ford Mondeo floorpan! A compact in US terms!

So true, sad but true. One the other side Jag came up quite a bit in customer reliability after the Ford takeover. Anything had to be better than the Lucas electrics.

Lucas, a.k.a. "The Prince of Darkness!"

Owned a 69 340 so have personal experience and bills to prove it all.

Moonstruck · 03-07-2007, 06:29 AM

Tell me about it! I remember looking at the rat's nest of wiring that was my brother's V8 250 Daimler of 1967. They didn't build those things to last. In contemporary times my wife runs a very fun little Fiat Cabriolet. But, every time she complains about something not working I just shake my head! Lol!

GlenCoombe · 03-07-2007, 06:35 AM

Hope we're not hijacking this thread... had a 1988 Alfa spyder....11 computers? Now being a begger for punishment I own a 1987 Cadillac Allante. Now if you want a rat's nest just look behind a classic MoHo dashboard! Except for Chaplin Kent's of course.