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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: hudson,wi
Posts: 805
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towing a shortbox question????
I just bought an 81 sortbox and need to bring it home. It isn't drivable. Can I safely haul it on a car dolly type trailer with a Dodge Grand Caravan with a class 2 hitch? Thanks in advance.
RIZ ![]() |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: sioux city, iowa
Posts: 619
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
I towed a Prius 500 miles with a Prius on a 2 wheel dolly at 70 MPH and didn't even know it was there (except gravel tended to jack knife it). As long as the van is as heavy as the truck and you have good brakes you should be okay. Two wheel dollys are awsome. Class 2 is 3500 pounds? The truck is 4000+ ? How far you going?
http://www.etrailer.com/tv-helpful_h...s_2_hitch.aspx Last edited by rayfinseats; 11-10-2011 at 02:17 AM. |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Louisville,Ky
Posts: 5,811
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
I wouldn't try its a unibody van trying to tow more then its own weight.Do you have any friends with a pick up you could get to tow it?
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 632
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
I would not do it, I doubt the brakes on the Caravan are up to the task, they were after all soccermomoblies. The C10 will be close to or out weight the tow vehicle.......a very bad combination. If your only going a short distance (under 20 miles), then maybe. Do yourself a favor and beg, borrow, or steal a better tow vehicle.
__________________
Lifes journey is not to arrive at the gate well preserved, it is to slide in sideways all used up and wore out yelling.....God what'a ride! Where patience fails, force prevails Stapp's Ironical Paradox "The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle." |
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#5 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Unnapreciative, Trollville
Posts: 2,079
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
It would probably do it, but if anything happens, you'll be fined on top of fines for going over basically every weight rating involved. Dunno about there, but here, anything over 1,000lbs has to have its own brakes. Brakes are the most important consideration, and caravan brakes will likely overheat and lose their effectiveness pretty quick.
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sweet, ID
Posts: 157
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
I think I would stay away from that too. Even if you had to rent something heavier, you are money, saftey, and hassel ahead if there was a problem. It has been said, "Dodge Caravans seat 7 so 6 can get out and push it up hills."
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 321
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
LOL 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque in a 4600lb (my 87 c10 was 4400lbs when I got it) mini van mid 15's in the 1/4 mile (witch is a lot more power then a stock small block square body) towing 3600 capacity
I'd do it! just be careful and leave your self room to stop and dont be lead footed keep your speeds down I dont have one and really dont think I ever will but these vans came along way |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: corpus christi, tx - america's fattest city
Posts: 253
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
Call for a wrecker to bring it home. No matter the distance it's cheaper than replacing a destroyed minivan.
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: niagara, ontario
Posts: 109
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
Please please..... PLEASE DONT
those vans werent known for good trannys to begin with, the grand caravans have huge rear overhangs so that gives the trailer more leverage to push the van around, you'll be climbing hills in first gear My concern isnt for the van, im concerned about the poor shortbox that has to be involved.... o and also everyone else on the road.
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1991 V3500 350TBI/4l80/205 D60/14bff - Crew long 1987 IrocZ-28 525 horse/567 Lb Tq 383 1976 K30 on 39.5s One wheel drive thanks to a np203 ![]() and some K5's lol |
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#10 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Hartford CT
Posts: 223
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
I wish I got pics of my '80 1/2 ton long bed being pulled home by my buddy's Nissan Frontier... 7.8 mpg...
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-Steve ![]() 1980 GMC C15 Sierra LWB Dark Carmine Red/Carmine Int Was: 250/3spd (1980-88), then a 305/TH350 (1988-2011) Now: 5.3/4L60E, 2.73 12-bolt open rear |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 321
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
how far does it need to be pulled?
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Bakersfield, Ca
Posts: 18
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
I towed a 94 Lifted ext cab with my 2002 trailblazer, felt like I was gonna rip my reciever out from under the vehicle I wouldn't recommend towing with a minivan but sometimes you have to do whatever you have to to get your truck home. the 94 had no motor either and I pulled it on a two wheel car dolly. BE SAFE and drive slow otherwise you may have to have both vehicles towed home cause of a blown tranny.
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: hudson,wi
Posts: 805
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
Well, my van took a crap on me even though i decided days ago not to try and tow the shortbox with it. I'm going to borrow my friend's 1/2 ton 1500 pickup either today or tomorrow with a car dolly. Thanks for all the advice. I figured it wasn't a good idea from the onset.
RIZ |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Louisville,Ky
Posts: 5,811
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
It sucks your van died whats wrong with it?
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: hudson,wi
Posts: 805
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
I have no idea. It lost power on the way to work yesterday and then stalled. I got it started again and hobbled the last 1/4 mile to work. It has a pretty serious knock. I had it towed to my mechanics house and he can't look at it until Monday.
RIZ |
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#16 |
IT Guy/ Father/ Chevy lover
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Hoisington, KS
Posts: 568
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
I was going to say sell that caravan before it dies. I know my dad has worked on a few the tranny's suck and they just start falling apart after their 100k mark.
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78 Chevy (Pictures) SOLD 79 Chevy LWB (pasture) 83 Chevy LWB (crushed rusted beyond repair) 02 TrailBlazer SOLD 03 VW Passat wagonSOLD 95 extended cab silveradoSOLD (still in family) 05 Crew Cab Silverado 5.3 (The Turd) WTB: 66 El camino ![]() Technology Specialist aspiring to be a gear head. ![]() |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Louisville,Ky
Posts: 5,811
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Re: towing a shortbox question????
Yeah fwd dodge trans are known to be weak i have replaced a few,It sounds like your fuel pump died to me or just hope its something easy like that and not nothing big like the engine.
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