Re: Towing with a 1985 B250 Dodge Roadtrek (maxi van rv )
[Re: poorboy]
#1845545
06/10/15 02:45 AM
06/10/15 02:45 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,805 ky hills
thehemikid
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,805
ky hills
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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!
Last edited by thehemikid; 06/10/15 02:55 AM.
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Re: Towing with a 1985 B250 Dodge Roadtrek (maxi van rv )
[Re: johndart]
#1845962
06/10/15 06:42 PM
06/10/15 06:42 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,805 ky hills
thehemikid
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Sep 2009
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ky hills
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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.
Last edited by thehemikid; 06/10/15 06:54 PM.
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Re: Towing with a 1985 B250 Dodge Roadtrek (maxi van rv )
[Re: johndart]
#1846628
06/11/15 02:39 PM
06/11/15 02:39 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 46 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
johndart
OP
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OP
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 46
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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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.
Last edited by johndart; 06/11/15 02:40 PM.
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Re: Towing with a 1985 B250 Dodge Roadtrek (maxi van rv )
[Re: johndart]
#1847446
06/12/15 03:53 PM
06/12/15 03:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,067 Irving, TX
feets
Senior Management
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Senior Management
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,067
Irving, TX
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If you like the Maxi and plan on keeping it, I'd investigate a rear gear swap along with a 518 OD.
We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind. - Stu Harmon
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Re: Towing with a 1985 B250 Dodge Roadtrek (maxi van rv )
[Re: johndart]
#1848063
06/13/15 01:44 PM
06/13/15 01:44 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,190 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,190
Bend,OR USA
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Last edited by Cab_Burge; 06/13/15 01:44 PM.
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: Towing with a 1985 B250 Dodge Roadtrek (maxi van rv )
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#1848067
06/13/15 01:58 PM
06/13/15 01:58 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,157 Cruising!
QuickDodge
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,157
Cruising!
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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.
Last edited by QuickDodge; 06/13/15 02:00 PM.
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