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Towing with a 89 D150?? #1658802 08/14/14 01:15 AM 08/14/14 01:15 AM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,525 Louisville, KY E E-Ticket OP master
E-Ticket OP master E Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,525 Louisville, KY	Until I get my hauler bed re-done.....may have to do some occasional, short distant towing with an 89 D150, 318 EFI, automatic w/overdrive....not sure what rear gear ratio yet as I haven't owned it very long. Was just wondering if anyone out there has experienced pulling an average weight open trailer and say....a 3500 pound car with anything similar to this combination?? Will it do it or will I be whizzing in the wind trying to?? I'm used to not having any trailering issues as I have always had 1 ton diesel dually's and have never had to ask about something like this before..... "Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son......" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK-Dqj4fHmM

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: E-Ticket] #1658803 08/14/14 01:22 AM 08/14/14 01:22 AM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 10,228 Colleyville 3hundred I Live Here
3hundred I Live Here Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 10,228 Colleyville	Kentucky?! I've been there, nothing but uphills, even if you turn around it's still uphill... You've got 170 hp and probably 3.55 gears. It'll do fine, probably won't go up hills too fast but it'll do it. Robert '68 Fury Convertible '69 300 Convertible '15 Durango 5.7 Hemi '16 300 S Hemi

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: 3hundred] #1658804 08/14/14 02:20 AM 08/14/14 02:20 AM
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,664 IN A ahy master
ahy master A Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,664 IN	Quote: Kentucky?! I've been there, nothing but uphills, even if you turn around it's still uphill... You've got 170 hp and probably 3.55 gears. It'll do fine, probably won't go up hills too fast but it'll do it. Robert Agree... lockout the OD and add a trans cooler if not already equipped and have at it

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: ahy] #1658805 08/14/14 02:55 AM 08/14/14 02:55 AM
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 1,751 Graham, WA P Polarapete top fuel
Polarapete top fuel P Joined: May 2003 Posts: 1,751 Graham, WA	I would not recommend it...however, my '87 D100 was used to pull a 5th wheel trailer and it has a 318 that was 2 barrel Lean Burn equipped. It still has the holes in the bed from the 5th wheel rack and the wiring harness in the side of the bed. Guessing by where I bought it, it probably was owned by a "snow bird" that towed south in the winter, let the truck bake in the sun and then hauled it home in the summer. All the rubber had been baked out, but the body is rust-free. Still I will be trading up to a 1 ton dually...I have to have the stability and the grunt of a big block. I don't want a 4x4 or another diesel. 1986 Dodge Ramcharger 440 2wd, Bracket Racer Under Construction 1998 Ram 2500 QuadCab, new daily driver. 2008 Honda Element 2014 Carry-On 7x14 Cargo Trailer

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: 3hundred] #1658806 08/14/14 02:58 AM 08/14/14 02:58 AM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,525 Louisville, KY E E-Ticket OP master
E-Ticket OP master E Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,525 Louisville, KY	Quote: Kentucky?! I've been there, nothing but uphills, even if you turn around it's still uphill... You've got 170 hp and probably 3.55 gears. It'll do fine, probably won't go up hills too fast but it'll do it. Robert yeah.....it is a bit crazy here in this state, up & down and round & round with these damn hills. I figured it "might" do ok but would rather ask you guys first. If it does have 3:55's in it....that would be great for this truck..... "Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son......" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK-Dqj4fHmM

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: Polarapete] #1658807 08/14/14 03:09 AM 08/14/14 03:09 AM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,525 Louisville, KY E E-Ticket OP master
E-Ticket OP master E Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,525 Louisville, KY	Quote: I would not recommend it...however, my '87 D100 was used to pull a 5th wheel trailer and it has a 318 that was 2 barrel Lean Burn equipped. It still has the holes in the bed from the 5th wheel rack and the wiring harness in the side of the bed. Guessing by where I bought it, it probably was owned by a "snow bird" that towed south in the winter, let the truck bake in the sun and then hauled it home in the summer. All the rubber had been baked out, but the body is rust-free. Still I will be trading up to a 1 ton dually...I have to have the stability and the grunt of a big block. I don't want a 4x4 or another diesel. might have the truck you are describing to step up to if you are interested. I know you are in WA and I am in Louisville but what the hey..... I'll have my 2000 2WD, 1 ton dually, V10, automatic, loaded, for sale very soon. Who knows, you might like it?? "Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son......" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK-Dqj4fHmM

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: E-Ticket] #1658808 08/14/14 07:38 AM 08/14/14 07:38 AM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 10,228 Colleyville 3hundred I Live Here
3hundred I Live Here Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 10,228 Colleyville	Quote: Quote: Kentucky?! I've been there, nothing but uphills, even if you turn around it's still uphill... You've got 170 hp and probably 3.55 gears. It'll do fine, probably won't go up hills too fast but it'll do it. Robert yeah.....it is a bit crazy here in this state, up & down and round & round with these damn hills. I figured it "might" do ok but would rather ask you guys first. If it does have 3:55's in it....that would be great for this truck..... Forgot, does it have overdrive? 3.55 was typical with OD. A three speed might be as high as 2.94. It'll still pull, just be even slower off the line. Robert '68 Fury Convertible '69 300 Convertible '15 Durango 5.7 Hemi '16 300 S Hemi

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: E-Ticket] #1658809 08/14/14 08:53 AM 08/14/14 08:53 AM
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,581 Friendly, WV wedgeheaded pro stock
wedgeheaded pro stock Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,581 Friendly, WV	I had an 84 RC 4x2/318/auto/AC and towed pretty much everything with it. I brought 2 64 Dodges up from Bristol VA to WV. Did it do it? Yes. Did it do it well? NO. Gutsy old rig but way underpowered. But you do what you can with what you can, just allow for it.

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: wedgeheaded] #1658810 08/14/14 10:21 AM 08/14/14 10:21 AM
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 15,487 Florida S scratchnfotraction I Live Here
scratchnfotraction I Live Here S Joined: May 2003 Posts: 15,487 Florida	I have hualed with my 85 d-150 stepside, 318/nv4500/3.55 gear NOW. but when I got it, I hauled a couple trucks on car dollys with a 318/904/2.76 = slow motion. I only do what I got to do when hauling heavy. I have a 6" pipe bumper with hitch and spoon up the brakes before hualing anything. the Fact that it is slow is a good thing,IMHO. it wont be going fast when you have to slow/stop it. panic stops at slower speeds is a plus in the end. hauling a trailer with a car/truck is pushing the limits of the 1/2 ton brakes. I prefer to ride slower at a steady 45-50 mph with mine. KY? HILLS? might better spoon up the rear brake shoes & top off the brake fluid before setting out on any adventures.

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: 3hundred] #1658811 08/14/14 02:10 PM 08/14/14 02:10 PM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,525 Louisville, KY E E-Ticket OP master
E-Ticket OP master E Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,525 Louisville, KY	yep, it does have overdrive. I know people have towed with this type of combo. in years gone by and while sitting here thinking about it, I vaguely remember seeing trucks of this 1/2 ton size (Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet) pulling trailers but like someone mentioned....not doing it real well or very fast....which I agree, is OK but the traffic behind these tow rigs don't seem to like the slower speed..... "Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son......" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK-Dqj4fHmM

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: E-Ticket] #1658812 08/14/14 02:31 PM 08/14/14 02:31 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 10,228 Colleyville 3hundred I Live Here
3hundred I Live Here Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 10,228 Colleyville	Quote: yep, it does have overdrive. I know people have towed with this type of combo. in years gone by and while sitting here thinking about it, I vaguely remember seeing trucks of this 1/2 ton size (Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet) pulling trailers but like someone mentioned....not doing it real well or very fast....which I agree, is OK but the traffic behind these tow rigs don't seem to like the slower speed..... With 170 hp, 3.55 gears I think you'll be fine. Wedgeheaded's '84 was rated 120hp stock, worst years ever for 318 power. I remember flogging the wife's '84 Ramcharger to get 85 MPH out of it unladen. Robert '68 Fury Convertible '69 300 Convertible '15 Durango 5.7 Hemi '16 300 S Hemi

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: E-Ticket] #1658813 08/14/14 08:11 PM 08/14/14 08:11 PM
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 9,366 Lehigh Acres, Florida rickstershemi master
rickstershemi master Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 9,366 Lehigh Acres, Florida	won't be fun....but it will work .... go slow Rickster

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: rickstershemi] #1658814 08/15/14 12:40 AM 08/15/14 12:40 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,538 Freeport IL USA poorboy I Live Here
poorboy I Live Here Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,538 Freeport IL USA	Just be sure the trailer brakes are good. I pulled a lot of stuff on my open trailer with a 318 powered D 150 for several years before I got the 3/4 ton. Wasn't fast, until you got it rolling, but did the job. We have hills here in the north west corner of IL, but not like those in KY. Gene

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: E-Ticket] #1658815 08/15/14 10:37 PM 08/15/14 10:37 PM
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 1,751 Graham, WA P Polarapete top fuel
Polarapete top fuel P Joined: May 2003 Posts: 1,751 Graham, WA	I have found a couple of V-10 powered 3/4 and 1 tons in this area. They are not popular because of the gas appetite and that makes them low miles and cheap to buy. For an infrequent use tow vehicle that is no problem. I loved my Cummins for its power and mileage, but hated the spendy maintenance issues. The key is "infrequent" use and for that I know I would like your truck. 1986 Dodge Ramcharger 440 2wd, Bracket Racer Under Construction 1998 Ram 2500 QuadCab, new daily driver. 2008 Honda Element 2014 Carry-On 7x14 Cargo Trailer

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: E-Ticket] #1658816 08/16/14 04:49 PM 08/16/14 04:49 PM
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,105 Byron, NY W.I.N. Racing top fuel
W.I.N. Racing top fuel Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,105 Byron, NY	Did it for years (as well as others), 300lb race car on a 21ft open trailer with a D 150/318 auto no problems. Biggest concern is make sure the trailer brakes function properly. Actualy a 1 ton is over kill for this combo. Although definatly an easier tow '01 P1500, Blown/Inj BAE,/Veney ,Bruno/CS2,Dana 60 '01 Dodge 3500 S Cummins Auto, Fresh air kit, 4" Exhaust, '05 Dodge Magnum R/T - Too Much to list '60 Willys CJ5 '01 International LPX - Project,DT466, Allison '64 Plymouth Valiant, Inj 528 Hemi, 2spd

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: W.I.N. Racing] #1658817 08/17/14 01:29 AM 08/17/14 01:29 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,576 Sarcoxie, MO, USA M MoPar Jamie master
MoPar Jamie master M Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,576 Sarcoxie, MO, USA	Hauled for years in half tons. My 86 LWB hauled a D-250 back from springfield 318/999/2.76. It didnt like it much on hills but it worked. Did I mention it shudders hard in first anything over light throttle and second grinds? Hard to beat one of these ole trucks. Oh and I had a full load of tools too and im not a small guy lol. - MoPar Jamie 1972 Fury III 4dr 1986 D-150 LWB Royal SE

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: MoPar Jamie] #1658818 08/17/14 01:43 AM 08/17/14 01:43 AM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,525 Louisville, KY E E-Ticket OP master
E-Ticket OP master E Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,525 Louisville, KY	How did that small tube rear end hold up to all the towing?? "Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son......" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK-Dqj4fHmM

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: E-Ticket] #1658819 08/18/14 02:22 PM 08/18/14 02:22 PM
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,151 Cruising! Q QuickDodge super stock
QuickDodge super stock Q Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,151 Cruising!	The 8 1/4 axles will take some abuse. The 9 1/4 is a better choice though. I'd suggest using a light weight trailer. A tow dolly might even be a better choice. The tow dollies I've used did not have brakes, so stopping it may be an issue. On the gear ratio, a 3.55 may be just fine. Many years ago, I had a Fury with a 318, 904, and a 2.76 axle. One time I towed a full size pick-up truck with it using a tow bar. It did OK on level ground. Once, I had to stop on a semi-steep hill due to a red light. When the light turned green, I pushed on the gas pedal... and the car sat still. I floored the pedal and after several seconds, the car finally moved. I made a point of NOT stopping on hills the rest of that trip! (Towing that much weight with that car was a bad idea...I did not know about manufacturer's tow ratings back then!) Last edited by QuickDodge; 08/18/14 02:29 PM.

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: QuickDodge] #1658820 08/18/14 03:11 PM 08/18/14 03:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,030 Wisconsin A Aero426 I Live Here
Aero426 I Live Here A Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,030 Wisconsin	I have a 93 D150 2wd long bed, 318, auto with overdrive, 3.55 gear. I realize I have more HP than the '89, but these trucks will do fine with a single car open trailer. Used mine for that purpose for ten years. No problem at all. A weight distributing hitch helps a lot too. Also agree that the trans cooler is a good idea.

Re: Towing with a 89 D150?? [Re: Aero426] #1658821 08/19/14 01:19 AM 08/19/14 01:19 AM
Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,525 Louisville, KY E E-Ticket OP master
E-Ticket OP master E Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,525 Louisville, KY	well.....its been a LONG time since I have towed a trailer with anything less than a dually but I'm going to give it a try soon with this truck and see what happens. Probably going to do a trial pull around the metro area of Louisville first to see what I'll be in for........ I have a feeling that I'll be, not quite as impressed but who knows?? "Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son......" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK-Dqj4fHmM

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