Towing at Max

Long trip this weekend pulling the TT, about 250 miles each way.

Once clear of holiday traffic and on SMOOTHER roads, it towed like a dream. I did get a one finger salute... index finger of all things from one vehicle passenger. Not quite sure what the passenger was indicating, but they were also mimicking my shifting pattern? Bored maybe?

Braking was fine, controller did it's job.

No problem pulling during the stop and go traffic, with cooler temps, 2nd fan never came on.

One section of I-75 was awful as trailer was going one way, car going the other.

Where the car failed, drive home today was extremely gusty. I felt it, especially during the T'Storm. It quickly got my attention and I slowed to 55. No problems with trucks passing, but the State Police blowing by me in their expedition at an extremely high rate of speed moved the trailer a tad. If I had to guess, it was over 90.

I have several long trips planned, some on non holiday travel times, so we'll see how they go. We did go golfing and there was a fun twisty road to the golf course. It was fun playing on the twisties :) Can't do that with a SD :)

We did talk about the possibility of 2016 F150.

Best part of the whole trip... Woman merging on the freeway and matching my 65 mph set on the cruise control. I was watching her in the mirror, she tried to merge into the trailer and once realized it was there, started hitting her horn. Wife and I were both cracking up at that one.

I always like the look of those Magnums. It was almost a modern version of the Roadmaster. I wish they would've had a 3rd row option though.

philh wrote:
First long trip towing with the Charger....damn I love this car :)

As you know...

I picked up a 19' Slickcraft and the Magnum tows it beautifully, Actually even the boat better then My brother's Silverado Thru the hills.

Most likely it's attributed to a stout 5sp trans and 435lb / ft of torque, compared to that weezer 5.3L Vortec.

I love my magnum. These Charger/Magnum/300 cars are awesome. I wish more options weye available in a big RWD American V8 sedan/wagon.

I'm sorry I am late in joining this thread but it was very entertaining to say the least and informative as much.

I think both sides of the coin are needed when it comes to RV'ing, those who are exploratory and want to try something new or untested and those who are critical of it. The explorers develop new ways and concepts and the seasoned salts help keep everything in check safety wise. While I tend to be of the former crowd I have learn to respect those of the latter who like the OP stated have forced me to rethink and reanalyze what I am doing which has kept me safe thus far.

Notice I didn't mention the gloom doomers (you will die/kill everyone when you pull onto the road) as important but hey they can have a place too.

Congrats to the OP for finding a solution and being able to enjoy his new combo.

First long trip towing with the Charger. Once we got clear of the HEAVY traffic, it was actually fine. Stop and go on the freeway sucks with any vehicle, but this wasn't much fun. I'm used to setting the cruise at some relatively higher speed and going for hours... not doing that towing a camper. Actually have to watch the gas gauge. Sucks seeing my baby dirty tho :) But sure was nice when I had to make a run to the store, damn I love this car :)

philh wrote:

Transmission, while I still want to get a monitor hooked up, and appreciate the link back on page one, this transmission has been proven to take literally twice the torque my engine will throw at it.

I got my ODBII bluetooth reader last week and downloaded Torque Pro. You can add gauges. While I don't need a trans temp readout because my truck has it on the DIC, I did find out that you if can find the PID for the gauge, you can get a reading of the trans temp. Do a Google search for your car and Torque Pro. I think you'll find what you are looking for.

where will you be camping?

philh wrote:

Mastiff wrote:
Philh post a pic of your car / Trailer at the bridge

Don't hold your breath, that trip isn't planned until August... but that will be a kewl pic :)

Can you share which weekend? I will be making that trip twice to take/pickup my daughters who are Mackinac Honor Scouts.

2112 wrote:

It's interesting to read the reactions to unconventional setups from the 'you can't do that without a 1 ton diesel dually' crowd here.

I'm disappointed, thought for sure someone would tell OP he needed a singled Class 8 OTR tractor.............:B

Helper wheels??? LOL

I scraped ever so slightly coming out of my driveway. Didn't have a problem going in, but I backed in an an gle, but came out straight. That might have dropped the hitch just low enough as TV tires came down the "curb"

Nobody needs to eat any crow... New al body F150 (or F250 SD) might do an adequate job :) Lord knows, it would look sweet in my driveway...

When I started this, I was a bit concerned. Granted the 1 ton or stay home crowd were discouraging. However, it also forced me to spend more time analyzing what I was doing and how I was planning to do it.

Gandma may yet get run over by the trailer :)