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Front Wheel Drive Towing (An Idle Observation)

dcmac214
Explorer
Explorer
Just an observation upon returning from our East Coast vacation. Really surprised at the number of front-wheel-drive vehicles (mostly minivans) pulling travel trailers. Even more surprised at the size of some of those travel trailers - some I'd be reluctant to hook up to my 1/2 ton.
10 REPLIES 10

pnichols
Explorer II
Explorer II
It seems to me that the problem with towing using a front wheel drive tow vehicle is the unloading of the steering and drive wheels.

That sounds to me like a very risky way to tow. Can you get away with it - yeah - maybe if and only if everything goes right all the time under all conditions you might find yourself in.

It wouldn't be my cup of tea.
2005 E450 Itasca 24V Class C

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Explorer III
I used to pull my PUP with a Front Wheel Drive Mini-van. but then it as under 2,000 pounds.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times

TNGW1500SE
Explorer
Explorer
I think it has a lot to do with ignorance. I was there once. 5000 pound boat and a 1985 4 cyl 4 runner. Learned. Not the hard way!

Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Explorer II
WNYBob wrote:
The Olds Toronado was a much different animal than the FW drive mini vans of today!
GM used that front end (V8 and suspension to make a RV from (I believe) 1968 to 1974. Many of which are still on the road. It was a unique low riding RV.
I wish I had one!

Bob,

You are real close, the production of 12921 ran from MY 1973 to 1978.
Yes, the floor is 13" over the road and we didn't even bother using a step until I damaged a knee.
The front suspension is a lot like a Toro of the period, but there are very few interchangeable parts.
We know were about 8500 are today and most of those are still in service.
They do real well on dry pavement, but like any front wheel drive, the weight transfer works against us when trying to go in slippery places.

Matt
Matt & Mary Colie
A sailor, his bride and their black dogs (one dear dog is waiting for us at the bridge) going to see some dry places that have Geocaches in a coach made the year we married.

wanderingaimles
Explorer
Explorer
Used one for towing a boat for a long time. The front wheel drive kept the drive wheels out of the algae on the ramps down in South Florida. I used to take the kids to Black point marina all the time to watch idiots trying to launch and load 5000 lb boats with low rider japanese trucks. We saw more than one slide in and have to be pulled out after the truck was half submerged.

p220sigman
Explorer
Explorer
Minivans can make great tow vehicles provided they are used within their capabilities. Pulling our Popup with our Sienna is great, but I wouldn't try a full-height TT with one. Love being able to have all of the room and get 16 MPG when towing at the same time.

WNYBob
Explorer
Explorer
The Olds Toronado was a much different animal than the FW drive mini vans of today!
GM used that front end (V8 and suspension to make a RV from (I believe) 1968 to 1974. Many of which are still on the road. It was a unique low riding RV.
I wish I had one!

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
DCMAC, I see it all the time too. Scary.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

rv2go
Explorer II
Explorer II
Back in 1966 when the front wheel drive Olds Toronado came to town, one of the local RV dealers had one hitched to a travel trailer. He had the rear wheels of the Olds removed and the WDH torqued to make the car and trailer level. I lived near by to the dealer and it was not unusual to see him driving up and down the highway.
Winnebago Journey
TN Lic. RV 2 GO
Jeep Cherokee 4x4
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ctilsie242
Explorer II
Explorer II
A vehicle can pull a lot of cargo. However, stopping it, or keeping it under control around a curve or when a semi passes... completely different story.

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