[Chrysler300] Car trailers - reply

[John Hertog <crossram@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Bob, and all...

My car towing experiences might not be the best example to mention ...  a
few years back, I bought a 16" brand new Econo-Trailer, after seeing so many
of them at shows and meets.  Basically, it's the simplest form of car
trailer - dual axle, 4 wheel electric brakes. It's an open bed, like the one
Terry mentionned.  That sure makes getting under the car easy for hooking-up
purposes.

My tow vehicle was ... a Chrysler 300L . Modified with front disc brakes and
rear heavy duty rear springs, the 300L had the torque to pull the trailer
loaded with all kinds of heavy, full-sized Chryslers.  I towed hundreds and
hundreds of miles, all over the East Coast, at 65 mph to 75 mph, all day
long, with the a/c on.  What a great car that is/was ( I sold it since..)

A properly set up brake controller will make stopping easy and safe. That
was never an issue.  Of course, one must also use some common sense -
tailgating is not a good idea !  Drive conservatively and safely while
towing, leaving room to stop in front of you.

As far as Dakota's - I use friend Bob Haag's on several occasions. It was a
H/D 4WD model w/ 360 and automatic overdrive and tow package.  It could not
cut the mustard. Not enough torque. Couldn't keep up the speed going up
hills. Ended up beginning to hurt the transmission so we quit using it.

There can't be any replacement for size of towing vehicle and displacement /
torque of its motor. If you're going to do serious towing (as opposed to
just around the neighborhood)  - you'll need something with weight and
torque.

Lee Meyer's dually Cummins Diesel is just the ticket.  Nice rig. Will tow a
battleship clear across the country and get good gas mileage in the process.
Try to find a diesel if you're going to put on many towing miles - fuel is
expensive and a sizeable gas-engined truck is really going to suck up a lot
of gas when towing !  If you're not going to go too far too often, I guess
gas engine is fine...

There's something else that needs to be said: personally, I'd rather drive
my collector car on a long trip than tow it. I feel safer driving the thing
than hauling it on a trailer. Maybe that sounds crazy but it's true. Towing
is not for the faint of heart nor is it for the mechanically inept. The tow
vehicle must be in good shape, the trailer must be in good shape, and the
driver must possess certain "skills" that only come with experience . Like
learning to go around fixed obstacles...  and learning to load the trailer
so that there is sufficient (but not excessive) tongue weight !

Anyway, I sure enjoy driving my cars more than towing them.. they are
insured, should anything ever happen ; I have always wondered what would
happen if the car was damaged WHILE ON THE TRAILER - either through fault of
mine, or through someone else's.  Does anybody have any experience with this
topic?
I mean, if I get hit from behind, or something like that, fine, it's the
other guy's fault...  but what if it's at an intersection?  or if I get
broadsided?  Will my tow car insurance cover the damage to the towed car? I
am pretty sure that the antique insurance would not !  Any comments?

John




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