Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » All this talk of Towds
| All this talk of Towds [message #243830] |
Sun, 16 March 2014 18:54  |
LNelson
Messages: 335
Registered: December 2008
Location: Springfield, MO
Karma: 0
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I have always wanted to wrap my arms around the science of what the weight of our towed vehicles means to our old lady's that do the work. Yes, I have heard the legends of the "mega" tow (10,000# racing trailer) but I can tell the difference between NO towd, the Suzuki Samurai, or the Jeep Wrangler.
The Sammy weighs 1800# give or take, the Wrangler about 3,600# I think. I don't usually use my Brake Buddy with the Sammy, but do with the Jeep.
I just wonder, if the old gal could talk, what would she say. Part of me wants to hear, "hey, Larry, go ahead and hook up that Jeep, and pack it to the roof....just remember to downshift manually and all will be good".
I use the Sammy as a destination vehicle, but if I needed it to get me home, forget it. I would ask it only to get me to the nearest Enterprise Car REntal office.
Anyway, I love hearing the success stories of the various Towds and have really enjoyed reading the current thread about Towds. I hope everyone enjoys Montgomery, but I will miss the Spring convention and hope to get to Wisconsin in the Fall.
Larry Nelson Springfield, MO
Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
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| Re: All this talk of Towds [message #243840 is a reply to message #243830] |
Sun, 16 March 2014 19:33  |
George B.
Messages: 213
Registered: February 2012
Karma: 1
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I have limited experience but what I do have tells me that the transmission sees the towd big time. I have a 73 26 ft with 3.42 final, and Ragusa transmission pan. I also have a transmission temp gauge. The gauge stayed pretty constant when not towing my 92 Geo Tracker except for long upgrades at speed. When towing and I hit a slight upgrade the trans temp would shoot up. Subsequently I installed a large trans cooler and no longer see the temp increase.
I imagine if you are towing with a stock final and no additional trans cooling and no trans temp gauge you are not aware just how hot the transmission gets as you hit the hills towing or not. Add the weight of even the smallest towd and with out the additional cooling or final gears, your transmission is hurting.
George Butts
Las Vegas Nevada
73 "Custom 26' Q" & 76 23' Birchaven
71 Honda 600 Coupe & 01 Tracker Toads
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| Re: All this talk of Towds [message #243889 is a reply to message #243840] |
Mon, 17 March 2014 05:45 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Here's another scenario: I need to get my '48 Buick 200 miles to a wedding. NO hills between here and there. I have a transmission cooler and a 3:21 ?
Do I borrow a trailer (I have friends in low places) and do the deal with the GMC or just rent a U-Haul box truck and trailer and not worry about mechanical problems? $365 each way for the U-Haul or chance it in the GMC? The Buick weigh 4500+.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: All this talk of Towds [message #244039 is a reply to message #243830] |
Mon, 17 March 2014 22:18 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| LNelson wrote on Sun, 16 March 2014 17:54 |
I have always wanted to wrap my arms around the science of what the weight of our towed vehicles means to our old lady's that do the work. Yes, I have heard the legends of the "mega" tow (10,000# racing trailer) but I can tell the difference between NO towd, the Suzuki Samurai, or the Jeep Wrangler.
The Sammy weighs 1800# give or take, the Wrangler about 3,600# I think. I don't usually use my Brake Buddy with the Sammy, but do with the Jeep.
I just wonder, if the old gal could talk, what would she say. Part of me wants to hear, "hey, Larry, go ahead and hook up that Jeep, and pack it to the roof....just remember to downshift manually and all will be good".
I use the Sammy as a destination vehicle, but if I needed it to get me home, forget it. I would ask it only to get me to the nearest Enterprise Car REntal office.
Anyway, I love hearing the success stories of the various Towds and have really enjoyed reading the current thread about Towds. I hope everyone enjoys Montgomery, but I will miss the Spring convention and hope to get to Wisconsin in the Fall.
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I think you need to strike up a conversation with your brakes.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: All this talk of Towds [message #244064 is a reply to message #244039] |
Tue, 18 March 2014 07:50 |
LNelson
Messages: 335
Registered: December 2008
Location: Springfield, MO
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Bob de Kruyff wrote on Mon, 17 March 2014 22:18 |
| LNelson wrote on Sun, 16 March 2014 17:54 |
I have always wanted to wrap my arms around the science of what the weight of our towed vehicles means to our old lady's that do the work. Yes, I have heard the legends of the "mega" tow (10,000# racing trailer) but I can tell the difference between NO towd, the Suzuki Samurai, or the Jeep Wrangler.
The Sammy weighs 1800# give or take, the Wrangler about 3,600# I think. I don't usually use my Brake Buddy with the Sammy, but do with the Jeep.
I just wonder, if the old gal could talk, what would she say. Part of me wants to hear, "hey, Larry, go ahead and hook up that Jeep, and pack it to the roof....just remember to downshift manually and all will be good".
I use the Sammy as a destination vehicle, but if I needed it to get me home, forget it. I would ask it only to get me to the nearest Enterprise Car REntal office.
Anyway, I love hearing the success stories of the various Towds and have really enjoyed reading the current thread about Towds. I hope everyone enjoys Montgomery, but I will miss the Spring convention and hope to get to Wisconsin in the Fall.
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I think you need to strike up a conversation with your brakes.
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????
Bob, are you suggesting that I should use the Brake Buddy on the Sammy, too? Just asking. On my old Palm Beach I towed a Ranger pickup and the Jeep I had at the time, also a Sammy I had at the time. When I lost my mind for ten years and went to the world of the busnut, even with a fresh 8v71 Detroit and airbrakes, the weight of the toad makes a BIG difference. Going up a grade in 1st gear at 18 mph(yes, it was a 4 speed spicer), with no lower gear to shift down to, and no shoulder to pull over.....that get's your attention. With the GMC, if I ever get back to the mountains, we will detach the toad and the wife will follow, that is our practice. As for braking, I feel that pretty much baby this thing, both going and stopping. Most of our travels are in the Midwest where Monteagle might be the biggest thing to tackle.
Larry Nelson Springfield, MO
Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
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| Re: All this talk of Towds [message #244105 is a reply to message #244064] |
Tue, 18 March 2014 11:42 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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""????
Bob, are you suggesting that I should use the Brake Buddy on the Sammy, too? Just asking. On my old Palm Beach I towed a Ranger pickup and the Jeep I had at the time, also a Sammy I had at the time. When I lost my mind for ten years and went to the world of the busnut, even with a fresh 8v71 Detroit and airbrakes, the weight of the toad makes a BIG difference. Going up a grade in 1st gear at 18 mph(yes, it was a 4 speed spicer), with no lower gear to shift down to, and no shoulder to pull over.....that get's your attention. With the GMC, if I ever get back to the mountains, we will detach the toad and the wife will follow, that is our practice. As for braking, I feel that pretty much baby this thing, both going and stopping. Most of our travels are in the Midwest where Monteagle might be the biggest thing to tackle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
""
Even though I feel that stock brakes work well when set up correctly, I always worry more about the ability to stop than to pull. Just me I guess.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: All this talk of Towds [message #244119 is a reply to message #244105] |
Tue, 18 March 2014 13:08 |
LNelson
Messages: 335
Registered: December 2008
Location: Springfield, MO
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Bob de Kruyff wrote on Tue, 18 March 2014 11:42 |
""????
Bob, are you suggesting that I should use the Brake Buddy on the Sammy, too? Just asking. On my old Palm Beach I towed a Ranger pickup and the Jeep I had at the time, also a Sammy I had at the time. When I lost my mind for ten years and went to the world of the busnut, even with a fresh 8v71 Detroit and airbrakes, the weight of the toad makes a BIG difference. Going up a grade in 1st gear at 18 mph(yes, it was a 4 speed spicer), with no lower gear to shift down to, and no shoulder to pull over.....that get's your attention. With the GMC, if I ever get back to the mountains, we will detach the toad and the wife will follow, that is our practice. As for braking, I feel that pretty much baby this thing, both going and stopping. Most of our travels are in the Midwest where Monteagle might be the biggest thing to tackle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
""
Even though I feel that stock brakes work well when set up correctly, I always worry more about the ability to stop than to pull. Just me I guess.
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Bob, I agree to an extent....I lost my torque converter in my old Palm Beach at the Crazy Horse monument in SD. I was still able to move the coach, just needed a good run. I unhooked the old Sammy off the back, and backed UP the hill I had just come down and where it stalled out behind traffic. With momentum, and no toad, I got up that hill to the upper parking lot. I also got home, 400 miles and ordered a Danny Dunn tranny shipped to me. Anyway, holding up traffic on a steep grade is not my cup of tea, and neither is pushing in the rear bumper of the car in front of me at a stoplight. I had the airbrakes (rears) go out on the bus (just out of the brake shop, btw). I went thru a red light, and don't want to do that again. Luckily I did not hit anyone. When you KNOW your brakes are in trouble, and even if they are not, it is best to be prudent.
Larry Nelson Springfield, MO
Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
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| Re: All this talk of Towds [message #246365 is a reply to message #243889] |
Fri, 04 April 2014 09:17 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| stick miller wrote on Mon, 17 March 2014 06:45 |
Here's another scenario: I need to get my '48 Buick 200 miles to a wedding. NO hills between here and there. I have a transmission cooler and a 3:21 ?
Do I borrow a trailer (I have friends in low places) and do the deal with the GMC or just rent a U-Haul box truck and trailer and not worry about mechanical problems? $365 each way for the U-Haul or chance it in the GMC? The Buick weigh 4500+.
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Update on this off topic topic. U-Haul called this morning to say that my car would not fit on their trailer because the car is "too wide". I don't think they know what they're talking about, especially since they list a 1948 Oldsmobile as something they could ship. I bet there is not a paint job width of difference in a '48 Olds and a '48 Buick. I'm dealing with a nice little 90 year old lady who really just conveys the message to me.
Someone on this or another forum (BlueBird) is associated with U-Haul. Can you help me out?
__________________
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: All this talk of Towds [message #246417 is a reply to message #246365] |
Fri, 04 April 2014 20:25 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| stick miller wrote on Fri, 04 April 2014 08:17 |
| stick miller wrote on Mon, 17 March 2014 06:45 |
Here's another scenario: I need to get my '48 Buick 200 miles to a wedding. NO hills between here and there. I have a transmission cooler and a 3:21 ?
Do I borrow a trailer (I have friends in low places) and do the deal with the GMC or just rent a U-Haul box truck and trailer and not worry about mechanical problems? $365 each way for the U-Haul or chance it in the GMC? The Buick weigh 4500+.
|
Update on this off topic topic. U-Haul called this morning to say that my car would not fit on their trailer because the car is "too wide". I don't think they know what they're talking about, especially since they list a 1948 Oldsmobile as something they could ship. I bet there is not a paint job width of difference in a '48 Olds and a '48 Buick. I'm dealing with a nice little 90 year old lady who really just conveys the message to me.
Someone on this or another forum (BlueBird) is associated with U-Haul. Can you help me out?
__________________
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It's fixed. When do you plan on renting since the on line data base may lag a day. I can over ride it.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: All this talk of Towds [message #246425 is a reply to message #246417] |
Fri, 04 April 2014 21:56 |
jim kanomata
Messages: 257
Registered: March 2007
Location: fremont,ca
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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If your pulling with a standard ratio, your putting lot of stress on the transmission and engine.
I can safely tell you that people that are towing or not towing with the 3.70 have been more than happy with its ability to pull with less strain.
Also the lower gear aids in holding the coasting speed.
One will notice the difference immediately from the start.
As for gas mileage, you do not suffer as the engine is under less load and the carb will run on the lean side.
When it comes to braking, anything over 2,000 lbs. should have a brake system, as the load on the standard system gets little excessive.
It also depends on how one drives.
I tend to have a poor habit of tailgating and speeding with the traffic and heating up the brakes.
When I started using the brakes on the towed, it took considerable load off the brakes of the coach and even made the units stop shorter.
Yes, it is a fact that the MH will stop in shorter distance with a towed as long as the towed has the brake system.
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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