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| | | Question about towing and trailer hitches | Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 8 stranger | OP stranger Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 8 | We have just purchased a 1966 Dodge A100 and we are wondering if anyone can shed some light on using the van as a tow vehicle. The drivetrain is not stock we have a Dodge 360 engine and a 727 torqueflite tranny. The plan is to do a brake conversion to disc all the way around. We have 291 rear end gear ratio and are thinking that may need to be beefed up to a 373 and/or adding a 3/4 ton rear suspension in as well. Our plan is to pull a @ 6,000 lb toy hauler and hit the road for a while. We have been unable to find a vehicle specific trailer hitch from the usual sources (the earliest we have found are for '70s vehicles). Does anyone have any suggestions? | | | Re: Question about towing and trailer hitches | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | The 360 and 727 will be able to pull that trailer no problem. I recommend going to 3.5 or 3.7-3.9 rear gears, depending on if you are going to be going up steep hills. If you are truly going to pull a 6000 pound trailer then you definitely need to add a trailer braking system to the van and only use a trailer that has on-board brakes.
The A series vans are unibody, so if you want to pull a trailer that heavy you will need to fabricate a pretty sturdy hitch and attach it directly to the frame rails in the rear. I recommend you also look into fabricating some frame stiffeners for the van because you will be stressing it quite a bit.
A series vans are also very light. Even the later B series vans that are heavier only weigh around 3500 pounds.
You should get a factory service manual for your van and read up on the sections about the brakes and frame and towing. See what the factory recommended for heavy duty use.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: Question about towing and trailer hitches | Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 8 stranger | OP stranger Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 8 | Thanks for the tips!! You just confirmed our thoughts on how to proceed. We really appreciate the insight from a veteran vanner,
| | | Re: Question about towing and trailer hitches | Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 8 stranger | OP stranger Joined: Jan 2018 Posts: 8 | | | |
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