Considering buying a 2001 Dodge 190 Versatile (31. 116000 miles, decent outside, some paint chipping, very good inside - it all works! I know it might be overkill, but I'd really like to be able to tow a 5200 lb trailer with a hitch weight of 633 with this Roadtrek. Anybody know if this is possible? Safe? Crazy?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
That is a lot for a B in general, and if the Dodge had a 318 instead of a 360 engine, it would be very underpowered on top of hauling a lot of weight on the chassis, with a big overhang vehicle.
Not to mention that model will have SRW and a long rear overhang. Add a substantial tongue weight and heavy trailer, you have a formula for very squirrelly handling.
If I was going to tow, I'd be looking at a Chevy based 190. That model will have two things you want - powerful engine & long wheelbase.
"the roadtrek website has literature for legacy models- look at the specs. my chev based B is rated at 5000/500"
Yep, but it overheats at the slightest uphill when towing in the summer. It can do it but you need to mod the engine/transmission cooling system. Towing about 2000lbs I was down to crawling on the uphill between Phoenix and Payson. Took me four hours to go from Ouray to Silverton, Colorado. Had to stop to cool then go again. Outside air temp was 85F
jansj - I've towed very similar weights behind my GM 3500 camper van.
It made for an excellent on the road tow vehicle in my opinion. The trailer tracked along wonderfully behind the van. Backing the trailer into a site on the blind side could take a few tries for me because of no rear windows and few side windows to see out of.
I'd agree with wincrasher that a Chevy RT 190 should make an excellent tow vehicle. You can find them with the necessary specs.
I had a 2004 RT 190P for example. From the factory it came with a full floater rear axle, 4:10 rear axle ratio and auxiliary oil and transmission fluid coolers. I'd guess the chassis was purchased by RT like that so that it could be converted to a RT 210 or a 190. I would not choose a 210 as a tow vehicle. That '04 RT would have been able to tow more weight than my current diesel van.
Towing with a RoadTrek??
. 116000 miles, decent outside, some paint chipping, very good inside - it all works! I know it might be overkill, but I'd really like to be able to tow a 5200 lb trailer with a hitch weight of 633 with this Roadtrek. Anybody know if this is possible? Safe? Crazy? 
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