Has anyone had any experiences with this for towing an open race car trailer (tandem axle single axle brakes) and race car?
It has 318 3 speed auto and open 2.94 rear gear. Only 60,000 miles and in good shape. I am planning to use a Reese dual cam weight distributing system (older unit with sway control)

Looking for creature comforts at the track but have limited
parking options.

I've towed with similar vintage powertrains in PU's. I would think with the good hitch the chassis should take it fine. 318 and 2.93's, however, is not so good unless dead flat and even then with a headwind you might need 2'nd gear. With 4.10's would be OK though not fast... OK if the tow is not too long or hilly.

I'm surprised it pulls itself with 2.94 gears. Yikes! Set of 4.10's may be in order.

My buddy pulled a 70 dart with a van 10 years ago it did ok. Unknown gear ratio & it was a cargo van so probably much lighter.

Thanks, I was figuring gearing would be a problem. I have one big hill on the way to the track.

Any others with similar combo. What did you do to yours?

I pulled a single car trailer with a late 70s Dodge 3/4 ton van, but it wasn't a small block, and it had 3:55 gears. I think the 318/2:94 gears towing something will be a bit of a challenge, but as long as your not in a hurry, and have a good trans cooler, it will get the job done.

My buddy pulled a car trailer with a dirt track car all over with a 70s Dodge truck with a slant 6 auto! He wasn't very fast, but always got where ever he was going. Gene

I have a 79 Dodge Minni Winnebago with a 360 engine. Bought it from a friend who used it for towing his race car in an enclosed trailer. I don't remember the trailer size for sure but think it was a 24'. The right side frame is broke just behind the rear axle. I'd have to look again to be sure but iirc the frame drops down in size from there back & its length depends on the model. I think the distance from there to the rear bumper was a little to far & created too much leverage for the loads this one has carried. I was going to drop the gas tank & fix the frame but moved on to more important projects.

Maybe the one your looking at doesn't have as much rear hangover as a Minni does. I'll try'n measure mine tomorrow so you'll have something to go by.

This one was fairly abused though not only with the extra tongue weight over an open trailer but also had a spare tire & Generator mounted on the rear bumper to boot!

Mainly saying take a look at the rear frame and see if looks strong enough.

Edit: Reread your thread title. I was thinking Van nose RV but I see yours is a "Maxi Van"... that's a different frame than my deal. So totally disregard everything above my edit!

Thanks thehemikid. The overhang is a concern, but with equalizer bars on the hitch I hope to over come the stress on the frame and will keep a eye on it.

Hoping some one will chime in with their Maxi van or Maxi van RV experiences. God or Bad

Well, ...I'll chime back in with a closer example. I also have a 85 1 ton van that I transferred the hitch from my 3/4 van of which I also pulled a 28' enclosed home with when I 1st bought it. I didn't have the weight bars on the 3/4 when I brought the trailer home. BOY was that a sight to see. slow an easy.

I bought a 76 1 ton dually after that deal. But I did pull it with the 3/4 van for a short while,...well till the motor began to smoke a bit to much.

I pulled the 28' enclosed a lot with the 85 1 ton van. Those have quite a bit of overhang & Dodge didn't move the rear axle up like GM did on theirs. My 1 ton was considered a 15 passenger bus. I've seen videos on them having a out of control deal when loaded & after a sudden steering correction made. They can go into a violent "S" swerve that's almost impossible to get out of!

Both my 3/4 & 1 ton had 360 engines, that helped some for the loads I've dealt with. Eventually I finally stepped up to the 3500 Cummins Dually with 4x.

With an open trailer 3/4 van shouldn't be to big a deal. Would prefer a 360 over the 318 though.

Edit: I never thought about it much, but the 3/4 might of had the towing package sense it had the bolt on tow hitch. Seems it had a big trans cooler too,...dodn't remember. It didn't have the tall top RV deal but it did have the Captains seats & the rear bench/bed.

I had several 1989 B250 standard wheelbase vans. They were 318/518 with 323 gears.5 lug axles.The vans were loaded down with maybe 7-900 lbs of HVAC stuff on the shelves inside.

I had a 1600 lb tandem flat bed trailer that was used to pull HVAC equipment or a 2500 lb manlift around.

The trailer had brakes on one axle and no WD hitch.It took your full attention to load the trailer properly so the load was over the axles. When driving it was the same deal, watch the road ahead, border line white knuckles.

I did it back then out of necessity, I can't say I'd like to do it again.

Does the van you're considering have the 8 lug or 5 lug GVW rating? I'm guessing with that gear 5 lugs. I wouldn't waste the money on a 5 lug, but if you do, the gears gotta go.

You might be better to look at a mini motorhome with a dually rear. I had a 71 Dodge back in the day with a 318/4.10 rear. I pulled a 3000ish lb boat all over with it and it was a good setup.

Might want to check to see how much that RV weighs. Some of those Class B RVs are heavy! Add the weight of the personal gear you want to haul and see how close you are the van's gross vehicle weight. Since it is only a B250, the trailers tongue weight could be a problem.

When you check to see if it is a 5 or 8 lug, also look at the rear end. I believe Dodge used some 8 lug 9 1/4 inch rear axles in some vans. If so, these 8 lug, 9 1/4 Mopar axles are not as strong as the Dana 60 axles.

My 85 1 ton has a 8 lug 9&1/4. 3.54 (I think)
My 76 1 ton had a 8 lug Dana 60 (don't remember the ratio)
My 83 B250 had a 5 lug (don't remember the rear or the ratio)

Thanks for the in put. The van has the 5 bolt 9 1/4 rear, It will get a gear change and trans cooler. The GWWR is 4800 which I am sure it is close to,but I will get it weighed to see. I would have preferred the 1 ton suspension for a safety margin especially for brakes but intend to do complete new brakes on it.

The manual states 318 engine 5,000 lbs. & 360 7,000. with 3.2 or 2.5 axle ratio. So the fresh brakes should be up to it if 360 can pull 7000 lbs.

Maybe a SP-2P or small port performer on the 318 and a small 4 barrel carb would help the low end.

I am the slow and steady type when driving and towing. leave early and get there when I do.

If you like the Maxi and plan on keeping it, I'd investigate a rear gear swap along with a 518 OD.

Be careful how much and how you load it I have seen the results when a 350 van swayed on I79 and went over a hill don't worry you have enough power with the 2.94 and if all else fails shift into 2 . I had a D-100 with a pig 318 2bbl and 2.94 and it pulled cars just fine

I'd let it go and find an 8 lug model, you're going to dump thousands in it to make that heavy half pull, and the rest of the suspension is going to be marginal.

I was thinking, if it were mine, I would be looking for an 8 bolt axle with the gear of choice, rather then regearing the 9 1/4. While your swapping the rear axle, add a leaf or two to each spring pack. I'd probably swap the front spindles & rotors for the 8 bolt as well. Add big sway bars and life is better.

Much of the problem with a Maxi-van is the extra 3' of van hanging behind the rear axle, and the fact they tend to be a bit top heavy. Gene

feets I am planning a 518OD and thinking 3:55 gear

Paul I thought the unsafe 15 passanger maxi van were the next generation 1993 up as they sit pretty high up like a 4x4. Mine sit way lower. I was figuring not overloaded and weight distributing hitch with sway control would be ok with not going over the speed limit 60 MPH and leaving plenty of room in front.

65Fury440 the B250 is rated as a 3/4 ton and owners manual states 5,000 with 318 & 7000 with the 360 with towing package and 3.2 or 3.5 axle ratio
I would have preferred an 8 lug suspension for the better brakes but the specs above from the manual say it it adequate.

I guess in my younger days taking chances didn't bother me so much. Driving an extended 1/2 ton van in heavy winds doesn't sound like good times anymore.
Regardless of what the rating is, anything other than ideal conditions will probably not be really fun.
If you decide to do it, get the heaviest tires you can.

Edit - I have driven some big dumb loads before, what your proposing doesn't even fit into that category, I guess the jist is, you'd be far better with a heavier van. With that said, those camper vans are sweet, and probably be a good place to chill between rounds. Best of luck however you choose to go!

None of the Dodge van type chassis (motor home or industrial appication also) where designed to pull much weight due to them not having a conventional frame A freind of mine bought a 1 ton class B Dodge motor home to tow his race car, the rear side door didn't close well and when he went under it to service the rear end he found that the rear subframes where cracked and bent He ended up scrapping it :shruggy Buy a truck with a frame

A properly set up one ton truck with a slide in camper would be a better option for towing and it would offer most of the comfort of a class B RV. A truck, without the camper on it, is useful for other projects as well.