Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

[TomP]

I have a 99 Chrysler Town & Country with the 3.8L engine with tow package that is rated for towing 3500 pounds. My boat weighs 2800 pounds (dry weight) not including the 1997 Eagle Spirit trailer (new tires in 2005).

I am planning a 900 mile round trip over spring break that is much farther than I have ever towed the boat compared to other trips that we have taken that were less than 100 miles. Even though I have been able to tow the boat fine in the past I am more concerned about the planned trip because 1) it is a longer trip; 2) my previous towing experiencing is at slightly slower speeds than the interstate highway speed limits; and 3) the spring break trip will cover much more hilly ground than previous trips. With this in mind, I would appreciate some assistance with the following questions:

1) The wheel bearings on the trailer were repacked less than 3 years ago. Since then, I have probably only gone 500 miles with the trailer. Am I OK with this?

2) Does it do any good to transfer some cargo weight from the boat to the tow vehicle?

3) The break fluid reservoir on the trailer is filled to about one inch from the top. How can I determine how high it should be?

4) Any other suggestions to help with my trip?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

I've read in numerous places that the way automakers are "rating" their towing packages that it's never a good idea to exceed 70% of their published towing capacity. What they say and what is real life are sometimes two different things.

With your trailer you're probably looking at a total of at least 3,300 lbs. And that's dry weight, right? I'd be concerned with the extra work your T&C will be asked to do, especially the transmission. I have a T&C with the 3.8L and towing package and, quite honestly, I wouldn't do it. But hey, that's just me. Maybe someone else will chime in with their thoughts and say you should go for it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

you are going to work that 3.0 terribly hard. if you decide to do it. have the vehicle serviced. fluids changed including transmission. trans cooler if you don't have one. add an extra day to travel. service the trailer. new bearings, races, and seals. carry spare bulbs for trailer lights, spare tire, and jack, ( i take a small floor jack, make sure you have a wrench that fits the trailer lugs. be sure to use a stern tiedown strap. people with big boats don't think they need them, but you do.

 

[TomP]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

Thanks guys. Since you left these messages I have been hoping to borrow my father in law's pickup, but I learned today that that won't work. If I decide to take the T&C, are there any warning signs that I should watch out for along the way that would tell me that the transmission is failing or some other problem is imminent (as oppossed to sudden failure)? Another question is whether I should try to borrow my brother's V6 Grand Cherokee. It has the same 3500 pound towing rating as my T&C, but has 30 more hp and weighs less. Any thoughts as to whether this would be much better than the van?

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

I know this will be sacrilege to most here, but the way to get away with loads on a marginal rig is to keep your speed down. Yes, you can go 10 MPH under the speed limit without being ran down. Those of us that pull legal oversized loads (weight as well as width etc.) do it every day. That last 10 MPH builds up most of the heat your tranny and brakes are trying to get rid of before failure.

Keep an eye on your engine temperature. If it starts to climb, pull over and let the engine fast idle in neutral until the temperature drops to normal. Brake slowly, plan ahead. Avoid pulling during the heat of the day. When you stop for potti breaks pull your dipstick and look and smell the tranny fluid. If it starts to turn dark or smell bad (like it is burned) change it right then and abort your trip.

If you have as heavy a rig as you stated then you will be overweight before you get out of the driveway with any family, goodies, etc aboard.

I hope for the others on the road with you that you have good trailer brakes, hooked up in working order.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

Carry a jack that will fit under the axle or frame of the trailer when a tire is flat. Just cause it fits under in the driveway doesn't mean it'll fit on the side of a soft shoulder.
I don't think you need to replace the bearings, but you should remove, inspect, and repack them. However this is one of those, "while you're at it" situations, you could just replace the bearings and keep you old ones as a spare, if they are still good.
Good spare tire needed.
Complete service on the van and add a trans cooler. Add a temp guage too.
Not sure how full the brake reservoir on the trailer should be, but I'd guess it should be completely full when the trailer is sitting level without the coupler pushed in. if you have space in there, you probably have worn brake shoes/pads on the trailer. Have them inspected and replaced if worn more than 50%.

Oh, and call your local transmission shop and make an appointment for an overhaul when you get back, cause your trans will most likely be dead.

 

[clemsonfor]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

Some must haves/dos, repack and inspect berrings regardless an d replace if necc. spare and jack for trailer and lug wrench, Trans cooler on van.

I would fill the resivoir up all the way but that probly wont make a diff on the trip. But the only way they get low is b/c of wear or a leak, so check the shoes/pads on the trailer,

I probly would look for at least a half ton truck, but if you do it your self travel early in the morn to stay cool and go slower. Dont use your brothers trk bc if it breaks you have to fix it and then youll feel bad cause her doesnt have a vehicle etc.

just my thoughts

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

If I decide to take the T&C, are there any warning signs that I should watch out for along the way that would tell me that the transmission is failing or some other problem is imminent (as opposed to sudden failure)?

The transmission will go into "limp mode," which means second gear. And that's where it will stay until you either burn it up entirely or get to a transmission shop to get it rebuilt.

If you decide to use your minivan after everyone's advice anyway, at least budget a minimum of another $2,100 in the total cost of the trip to cover the transmission rebuild and some extra days in a motel...

 

[Hashi]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

Why not rent a tow vehicle? At 900 miles x's $0.25 per mile is $225 each way ($450 total) and the cost of vehicle per day is still cheaper than a transmission rebuild. There are some car/truck rental companies that still rent out tow vehicles. Saves the worry of wear and tear on your vehicle and rental company may have nationwide road service if it should break down.

 

[Wide Open]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

I would agree with the others suggesting a rental tow vehicle. If you boat weighs 2800 dry + the trailer + any other gear/cargo/people you will undoubtably be over the maximum tow rating.
I also agree that the manufacturers tow ratings seem to be a bit high and it isn't a bad idea to keep that number below 75%. Traveling 900 miles with that setup is asking for trouble. I would think your TV weighs around 4000 lbs, your boat/trailer is going to weigh almost as much and could push you around a bit on a trip that long.

 

[rndn]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

Spend a few extra bucks and rent a tow vehicle. You will then be able to enjoy the spring break and not worry about blowing your tranny in your T&C.

 

[Rusty Boater]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

Rental Companies will NOT let you tow with their vehicles.

 

[Jack Daniels]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

If you decide to rent go with a heavy equipment rental like hertz. They have no problems letting you tow with their trucks and some are actually nice to drive. However your probably going to have to pay a heck of a lot more in gas. Good luck and be safe

 

[TomP]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

Thanks everyone. You have convinced me to not do the trip with my Town & Country. I will look into the rental options that were suggested.

 

[Hashi]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

Hey Tom, if you do decide to rent, check contractor rental places and u-haul, not car rental. They don't rent tow vehicles.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

I say go for it. It's a 9 year old Chrysler van, what's the worst you could do to it?

Random tips (in addition to the great tips above). Leave the O/D off and pack lightly to make it easier on the van. If you have a second car, have someone else drive that with most of your gear in it. Leave the fuel tank in the boat empty. Make sure tire pressures are at Max on the trailer tires and a few PSI higher than normal laods call for on the van. Change your van's brake fluid with brand new DOT 4 before you leave.

Running down the road with a heavy load does not kill your transmission. It's the frequent upshifts and downshifts under heavy throttle that are necessary if you leave the thing in D while towing that damages it. You can really ease the workload on the transmission by downshifting manually, under light throttle, well before you need to, and by letting the engine rev. When it's time to upshift, do it with light throttle. Approaching ahill you can't climb in 3rd? Go into 2nd before you start to climb. Reving the engine at 4000 RPM at 3/4 throttle in second gear to climb hills does not hurt it at all, don't be afraid to do it.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

I say go for it. It's a 9 year old Chrysler van, what's the worst you could do to it?
.

You have a point. But he sounds like he didn't want to destroy his van. And that's what he'll do, even if he follows your instructions to the letter. Sorry the load is too heavy for the van to begin with. And, how much you wanna bet that "hilly" ground is either 5% grades that go for 10 miles, or the Appalachian Mountains?
The absolute worst thing he could do is lose control of the van on a downslope and kill his family and other families. And if the trans slips out of gear as it crests a hill, what do you think is gonna happen?
And excessive gear hunting does hurts transmissions, but it hurts them cause it HEATS them up. Running in 3rd gear all day long, or turning 4000rpm in 2nd gear around Wytheville, VA (or insert other mountainous area you know of) will heat that tranny up plenty on it's own.

Sorry, towing anything close to 3000lbs (let alone at or over the 3500 tow limit) with a Town and Country van is not a good idea at all. If it was, I'd have a hitch on my Pontiac Montana and tow my 20.5' boat with it! And I don't do that.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

I know plenty of people that have never towed a thing with their Chrysler minivans and have smoked the transmissions prior to the vans reaching 9 years of age. He's on borrowed time anyway and ought to be expecting to put a rebuilt transmission in regardless. It's exactly how I feel about my 99 Durango, I already have a transmission shop picked out and a quote for a rebuild ($1800)... Seems silly to worry about something that's basically a wear item in a Chrysler.

As far as the safety aspect goes, he's already admitted that he tows with it and it tows "fine". He knows better than I do there.

 

[mike176]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

I say go for it. It's a 9 year old Chrysler van, what's the worst you could do to it?

Lets see umm mess up an awsome trip with a day or two brokedown on the side of the road and getting very angry at the fact that your stuck and would rather be at home????????????????

A full size van from U-hual would be the best way to go. Treat it like carp and if it dies its there problem.

 

[oldman570]

Re: Towing Questions - Spring Break Trip

If the T&C is not the main vechile you own, now might be the time to upgrade to something larger that will handle the load. I have watched others with a simlar setup, as yours, back over the break at the ramp and end up in the drink because they could not stop. Remmber that some ramps are vary steep and that most surge breaks are only good for forward movement. If nothing else it is a good reason to get a newer, larger vechile cause you might want to upgrade the boat in the future.
Have FUN and be SAFE.

Oldman570