Need advice on towing 1,000 pound total weight boat & trailor from NJ to Florida

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Mike Hollywood - 25 Aug 2005 18:18 GMT

Hi,

I installed a class 3 hitch on my '94 Carevan LE so I can take my boat to
florida. This will
be a one way trip. It's supposed to be good up to 3,500 pounds.

One guy posted here recently that the transmissons in Caravans aren't all
that great, and if you tow with one,
don't use overdrive, which mine has.

That makes sense to me, but then I thought if the engine is reving higher,
along with a
heaverier load from pulling the trailer, the engine oil would get hotter
than normal.
If I'm right about that, should I install an auxillary engine oil cooler, or
am I just
being paranoid?

Can anybody recommend one?

Thanks,

Mike.

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Tom Lawrence - 26 Aug 2005 00:40 GMT

> One guy posted here recently that the transmissons in Caravans aren't all
> that great, and if you tow with one, don't use overdrive, which mine has.

The problem with overdrive is that, on hills, the engine will be
downshifting into 3rd, then back to 4th. It's doing this because you're
using too much throttle (in it's estimation) to maintain your speed in 4th.
This hunting back and forth is what's bad for the transmission. I-95 is
pretty flat, so I wouldn't worry about pulling with overdrive on (especially
with only 1,000lbs. Ever have the van full of people and cargo, and run in
overdrive? Same deal...). If you notice the transmission downshifting into
3rd, then back to OD, then lock out OD until you're back on flat ground.

> heaverier load from pulling the trailer, the engine oil would get hotter
> than normal.

No - but the constant shifting, combined with the torque converter
unlocking, will raise the temperature of the transmission. That's why you
want to lock out OD if that starts happening.

> am I just being paranoid?

You're being prudent, but there's a bit of paranoia starting to creep in.
Just hook it up, drive it, and be mindful of the transmission. You'll be
fine.

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Mike Hollywood - 26 Aug 2005 20:07 GMT

Tom,
Thankds for the info, and reality check. I really appreciate you
taking the time to fill me in.
Mike

>> One guy posted here recently that the transmissons in Caravans aren't all
>> that great, and if you tow with one, don't use overdrive, which mine has.
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Just hook it up, drive it, and be mindful of the transmission. You'll be
> fine.

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xmirage2kx - 29 Aug 2005 07:39 GMT

"" wrote:

> Tom,
> Thankds for the info, and reality check. I really appreciate
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
> transmission. You'll be
> > fine.

if your really worried about it just change the tranny fluid when your
done. but 1000lbs might as well be 4 big guys in your van.

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Jason Purcell - 29 Aug 2005 03:01 GMT

I"d sure look into a trans. temp cooler.

It's got to be less expensive than a new transmission.

J.

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Mike.

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