Tow Package October 29, 2018, 01:23:50 pm 1989 Chevy Van 30. Tow small car. Anti-sway. Any recommendations please.
Re: Tow Package Reply #1 – October 29, 2018, 01:58:56 pm Quote from: Mindispower - October 29, 2018, 01:23:50 pm1989 Chevy Van 30. Tow small car. Anti-sway. Any recommendations please.Keep the tow car extremely light and hope your LD has the 454 big-block engine.The 350 is just too small an engine to pull much, including itself. I know, having tried and failed towing with our 1983 LD.An old VW bug (1800-lbs) would be the heaviest thing I would attempt towing with the 350 and would never try a long, steep upgrade without disconnecting and having my wife drive the toad. If you do decide to tow, add a transmission temperature gauge to monitor for overheating.Suspension wise, I would leave it alone, assuming the stock suspension is in good shape, and see how it handles the weight.Even without towing, out 1983 didn't handle all that well, especially when the kayaks were on top. LD side view | lw5315us | FlickrEventually the suspension was upgraded with a rear sway bar, BIlseins shocks, rear air bags and custom wound front springs. With all the improvements, it still never handled as well as our stock 2003 E450.Larry
Re: Tow Package Reply #2 – October 29, 2018, 02:24:12 pm Quote from: Larry W - October 29, 2018, 01:58:56 pmKeep the tow car extremely light and hope your LD has the 454 big-block engine.The 350 is just too small an engine to pull much, including itself. I know, having tried and failed towing with our 1983 LD.An old VW bug (1800-lbs) would be the heaviest thing I would attempt towing with the 350 and would never try a long, steep upgrade without disconnecting and having my wife drive the toad. If you do decide to tow, add a transmission temperature gauge to monitor for overheating.Suspension wise, I would leave it alone, assuming the stock suspension is in good shape, and see how it handles the weight.Even without towing, out 1983 didn't handle all that well, especially when the kayaks were on top. LD side view | lw5315us | FlickrEventually the suspension was upgraded with a rear sway bar, BIlseins shocks, rear air bags and custom wound front springs. With all the improvements, it still never handled as well as our stock 2003 E450.LarryYou confirm my suspicions. TY.
Re: Tow Package Reply #3 – October 29, 2018, 04:06:18 pm I plan on towing a honda civic which is fairly light. Having problems finding someone reputable in central cali to install the equipment for 4 down towing behind a LD.
Re: Tow Package Reply #4 – October 29, 2018, 05:30:17 pm "I plan on towing a honda civic which is fairly light..."---You don't mention the model year or transmission type of the Civic; just a suggestion to check Motorhome magazine's dinghy guides to make sure that the Civic you plan to tow can be flat-towed (if you haven't already).
Re: Tow Package Reply #5 – October 29, 2018, 05:51:29 pm "Having problems finding someone reputable in central cali..."Whoa there Nellie, that's a big passel of land you're talkin about there! I've got a guy (Dan Shavlik's RV) in Napa who can do that work... he's done two of mine and one for my daughter. 2 Likes
Re: Tow Package Reply #6 – October 29, 2018, 11:50:45 pm Thanks for that tip. I should have clarified that being a newbie to rving that I have not done business in the industry much and a lot in my immediate area have somewhat questionable reputations or don’t install that equipment. It’s a 2009 civic with an auto transmission that can be towed if the proper procedure is used. Honda doesn’t sign off on it but remco sells the equipment and says it will tow fine providing you follow the procedure and I have known others to tow Honda automatics that are not cvt. I’m also keeping my eyes peeled for a wrangler. Thanks again.
Re: Tow Package Reply #9 – October 30, 2018, 12:51:47 pm Randy62, re: towing procedure.I tow a 13 Honda CRV automatic. Prep procedure is on a laminated card attached to a dummy key. The key lets the ignition be set to ACC which frees the steering lock but avoids a third-party drive-off. The other keys are for the tow bar and bike rack.Joel 1 Likes
Re: Tow Package Reply #10 – October 30, 2018, 03:29:07 pm Thats a good idea. The civic procedure would be very similar.ThanksRandy
Re: Tow Package Reply #11 – October 30, 2018, 03:55:49 pm RandyPersonally I consider Bakersfield Southern California... or perhaps you have not seen the rest of this state!The shift routine that Joel posted was more than comprehensive for any towable Honda. I've towed a 2002 Civic and now tow a 2008 CRV. The routines are the same. One caution... always shift from Drive to Neutral, never from Reverse to Neutral. 4 Likes
Re: Tow Package Reply #12 – October 30, 2018, 04:50:43 pm "Prep procedure is on a laminated card...."----Great idea, Joel! I may adapt it and hang various "procedure guides for everyday life" in several locations!
Re: Tow Package Reply #13 – October 30, 2018, 06:24:58 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - October 30, 2018, 03:55:49 pmPersonally I consider Bakersfield Southern California... or perhaps you have not seen the rest of this state!I agree, Steve and AAA concurs since it is under the Automobile Club of Southern California. Isn't it interesting though that Bakersfield is due east of San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay, which is considered the "Central Coast?" Funny how that works. Potatoes, potatos . . .
Re: Tow Package Reply #14 – October 30, 2018, 07:31:02 pm Yea, pondered that myself many times. Seems a lot of people consider north of the grapevine central cal, central valley and many other terms. And yes like Greg mentioned, due east of one of my favorite places to spend time, Morro Bay, Cayucos area. And they call that the central coast. Go figure.
Re: Tow Package Reply #15 – October 30, 2018, 08:46:08 pm Quote from: Joan - October 30, 2018, 04:50:43 pm"Prep procedure is on a laminated card...."----Great idea, Joel! I may adapt it and hang various "procedure guides for everyday life" in several locations! Not my idea, I picked it up from aviation. The Boeing 737 has a quick reference manual (QRM) that runs 334 pages. Mine is 'somewhat' shorter. My pre-departure checklist starts with "Three ceiling vents closed", has sections Interior,Exterior, Cab, Towd, and includes checking the dog water dish. Healthcare picked up on the aviation checklist which is why your doctor initials the arm targeted for surgery. It has reduced errors signficantly. One article on medical checklist benefits is here.I need them because I am organizationally challenged and am forever fighting entropy. That towd checklist? It lives on the drivers seat on overnight stays.
Re: Tow Package Reply #16 – October 30, 2018, 08:55:13 pm Aren't Central Coast and North Coast separate provinces from Central and Northern California?What is the northern limit of the central coast and the southern limit of the north coast?
Re: Tow Package Reply #17 – October 30, 2018, 10:31:12 pm I don’t mean to detract from the OP’s tow concerns so feel free to delete, move or ignore this post. And in regards to preparation cards and such before hitting the road such an item has been my mainstay for all things adventurous since my backpack days. Check, check got it go. 😏Interesting dilemma North, Central and Southern California. I’m sure there’s an answer but it reminds me of my little berg of a town, Long Beach.The East/West city demarcation is actually Pine Avenue. As a kid and now as an adult, I have resided on the West Side of Pine but East of the LA River. Back in the day, many of us considered the Los Angeles River as the true dividing line of dear ol’ LB and as such anything East of the River was not the West Side. It seems, back then, that the West side had a certain reputation for being the “tough” side of town. And if you mentioned the West Side it was always on the other side of the river. I’m not exactly sure how pervasive this concept was, but for many of us kids on the other side of the river we were definitely not on the West Side. Funny huh? I still consider this to be the case. Go figure.Is Central California in a similar place as I find myself? Perhaps all these years I’ve really been living in Central Long Beach. How strange.Just a thought.Kent 1 Likes
Re: Tow Package Reply #18 – October 30, 2018, 11:53:15 pm The reality of North, South, East, West is that all of your water comes from Northern California. You can suck the Owens Valley only just so long before you get dust! 1 Likes
Re: Tow Package Reply #19 – October 31, 2018, 12:26:36 am Quote from: Lazy Bones - October 30, 2018, 11:53:15 pmThe reality of North, South, East, West is that all of your water comes from Northern California. You can suck the Owens Valley only just so long before you get dust! Not quite true. MWD still taps the Colorado River and will continue to do so as long they can get away with it.The overdraft on the So. Cal aquifers hasn't dried them up - yetJoel
Re: Tow Package Reply #20 – October 31, 2018, 12:57:10 am Quote from: joel wiley - October 31, 2018, 12:26:36 amThe overdraft on the So. Cal aquifers hasn't dried them up - yetNor has it stopped sinking.Since you will need to leave the key on you might consider a toad charge kit as insurance against dead battery.Rich
Re: Tow Package Reply #21 – October 31, 2018, 02:10:09 am Quote from: randy62 - October 30, 2018, 03:29:07 pmThats a good idea. The civic procedure would be very similar.ThanksRandyI doubt it. The '13 CRV is listed as towable by Honda, with a procedure. The '08 Civic is not - and likely so for the '09 as well. If you have had a dialogue with Remco, then are you planning to install their pump? If so, that cost is in addition to baseplate, towbar, lighting, and of course toad braking mods, expensive enough in themselves. If your plan is to eventually tow a Jeep, I would just aim for that goal, because few or none of the mods for the Civic will be transferable.Steve
Re: Tow Package Reply #22 – October 31, 2018, 10:19:08 am Quote from: Rich Meek - October 31, 2018, 12:57:10 amSince you will need to leave the key on you might consider a toad charge kit as insurance against dead battery.RichBelt and suspenders security is always a benefit. Already have a charge line in the 6 pin cable to the towd. I've found that if you leave the key in the ACC position rather than ON, it doesn't drain the battery as much. An additional plus ACC does not roll up the odometer.I installed a cut-off switch on the fuse to the daytime running lights (the added note on the checklist is for that)Joel
Re: Tow Package Reply #23 – October 31, 2018, 10:29:51 pm Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - October 30, 2018, 10:31:12 pmI don’t mean to detract from the OP’s tow concerns so feel free to delete, move or ignore this post. And in regards to preparation cards and such before hitting the road such an item has been my mainstay for all things adventurous since my backpack days. Check, check got it go. 😏Interesting dilemma North, Central and Southern California. I’m sure there’s an answer but it reminds me of my little berg of a town, Long Beach.The East/West city demarcation is actually Pine Avenue. As a kid and now as an adult, I have resided on the West Side of Pine but East of the LA River. Back in the day, many of us considered the Los Angeles River as the true dividing line of dear ol’ LB and as such anything East of the River was not the West Side. It seems, back then, that the West side had a certain reputation for being the “tough” side of town. And if you mentioned the West Side it was always on the other side of the river. I’m not exactly sure how pervasive this concept was, but for many of us kids on the other side of the river we were definitely not on the West Side. Funny huh? I still consider this to be the case. Go figure.Is Central California in a similar place as I find myself? Perhaps all these years I’ve really been living in Central Long Beach. How strange.Just a thought.Great analogy I used to commute to and work in Long Beach years ago (decades) and I remember being reminded of my “boundaries “ and where not to go. Loved the city and its great history.Randy
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