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Cheating on Toat Weights

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07-12-2004, 01:13 PM
davebowers
Cheating on Toat Weights
OK I have always strived to stay with in the bounds when it come to toads. Thats why I tow the Saturn SC2 which weight 14 lbs 6 ozs. Of course, the fact that Deb has to put me in it with a shoe horn and grease the door jams to get me out we live with it.

I keep seeing 1983 Pace Arrows pulling Jeep Cherokees. So what would happen if I were to pull a 3800 lb. Ford Ranger with maybe 500# of stuff in the back?

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07-27-2004, 03:41 PM
bill h
Wow, stunning lack of response.

First thing is, your Chevy chassis would sulk if forced to tow a Ford.

I towed our 5000 lb boat with our previous 454 SOB with no problems for years. We also towed a 4Runner that is pretty heavy. You would need to be sure your hitch was well-installed. You would need toad brakes. You would probably lose some mileage, although some do, some don't. You will accelerate and climb more slowly. Thorleys and a Performer manifold will help that. I would say that those two additions will make the coach faster with a toad than it is now without. The engine and trans will run a little hotter, so you need to monitor temps. You do have a trans temp gage, don't you?

Whether it would be too slow is an individual choice. I would suggest loading the Saturn up with bags of feed or whatever until it weighs as much as the Ranger in question. Then go for a ride and climb a hill.

And now, for something completely different:.......Does your Saturn have an air bag? If not, consider a smaller steering wheel. I am tall(my head rubs the roof on my son's SL-2), heavy, and old (stiff), and had to put a D-shaped smaller wheel on my Jag. Helps a lot.

Pickups are really neat.