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| Towing with a 1968 Dart convertible https://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=45095 |
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| Author: | objet [ Tue May 24, 2011 6:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Towing with a 1968 Dart convertible |
Hi, newbie here. I bought my Dart Convertible to a) drive and to b) tow my 2800# 64 Airstream short distances. I had looked at a Newport or something full sized to tow with, but didn't want such a barge and liked the A bodies anyway. So, the Dart is rated for 2000#, and I'm wondering if anyone has ideas on how or if one might beef one up to tow more. I'm talkin about 45 mph rural highways, I live off of route one on the CA coast. If it's just madness, then I'll enjoy the Dart and keep towing with my () truck. BTW, the Dart is a 318. |
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| Author: | Joshie225 [ Tue May 24, 2011 7:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
You are proposing to tow a trailer that weighs nearly as much as the car. A C-body would have been a much better choice. Brakes, suspension and tires are the biggest issues. You're looking at brakes, shocks, springs, wheels and tires all needing to be upgraded. A weight distributing receiver hitch will also be required. |
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| Author: | objet [ Wed May 25, 2011 7:14 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
the weight of the trailer vs the car isn't the issue- you're not going to tow a new 10000 pound travel trailer with an equal weight vehicle. Wheelbase is more of an issue for stability. I was more concerned with chassis and potential for flex. The oem towing set up included 8 3/4 diff, HD cooling and I believe disc brakes. |
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| Author: | Joshie225 [ Wed May 25, 2011 10:59 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
The fact remains the Dart does not have the brakes, wheels, tires and suspension to cope with the added forces of towing 2800 lbs. I've used a '72 Duster to tow a 5x8' U-Haul trailer which weighed less than you are proposing to tow. It was a disc brake car and had a receiver hitch installed. The squirm and lack of stability from the 185/75R14 tires was spooky and unsafe. I was 21 and dumb so I pressed on. I feel fortunate the engine and transmission survived. 2.76 gears are also pretty awful for accelerating such a load. I was wishing for 3.23s. I pull my 2800 lb travel trailer with my 4900 lb Dodge Dakota Quad Cab. 10k lb trailers are generally 5th wheels and have 3 axles with brakes on each. They are pulled by vehicles designed and built to tow heavy loads. An A-body is no Dodge 3500. |
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| Author: | Slanted Opinion [ Sat May 28, 2011 4:52 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Hey... been there, done the towing thing with my 68 Dart. Towed my 2600 LB popup camper about 100 miles, 50 miles each way for a vacation. I had added 6 leaf springs, trans cooler and the trailer had electric brakes. A convertible is a whole different bear... you'd need to tie the front and rear frames, I would think. In the end it actually towed well... but after all the work on the car I never towed the trailer again. I just couldn't get it out of my mind that I was pushing my luck (which I was). Save your time and money (and maybe your life)... use something bigger to pull the camper, and enjoy the Dart at the local Sonic or A&W. -Mac |
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