The reason the Charger has no tow rating is because the suspension is not strong enough to handle two rear passengers and then tongue weight. It is designed for handling, and it is designed to squat when you hammer the pedal. If you modified the suspension and got rid of the plastic ground effects and could somehow attach a hitch, you would then be able to tow with it. But I think that would be a little excessive.
The SRT8 has a stronger suspension than the stock one that is already rated for trailer towing, so why would you even consider the tow rating going the other way?
lesmore49 wrote: Do you have any actual evidence for any of your statements, or is what you assume to be the case?
I was a mechanic before getting into engineering. I've been under more cars than you've ever driven. Yes, I know what I'm talking about when it comes to what is under a vehicle.
As for the speculation about tow ratings, no I have no evidence. Nor does anyone else for that matter as tow rating methodology is intentionally kept away from the consumer. Non of the major OEMs has exactly ever said how or why they pick what they pick. My posts are simply the end conclusion of several years investigation into the issue, and an educated opinion.
lesmore49 wrote: You got it wrong Caddy.
You need to get "my entire argument falling apart" etc., etc., straight, to begin with. To review my argument again, look above and you will see I compared a Chrysler 300C sedan to a Dodge 3500 truck, not to an Astro. To see the complete 'argument' check a couple of posts back in this thread.
I know exactly what you wrote, and read it completely. I picked the Astro as an example because I know you are familiar with it, and convinced it has a high-ish tow rating because of physical characteristics meriting one. If A vehicle like an Astro can have a 5000+ tow rating, and clearly be less "robust" where it matters than vehicles with less tow rating, then it casts doubt on the entire tow rating of both vehicles doesn't it?
As for the 3500 Cummins example, well that goes back to duty cycle, not towing ability. The big Dodge is built to work hard for the long haul, so to speak. It will definitely last longer and take more abuse than lesser vehicles. No argument there. It's just not appropriate to own one when your duty cycle only requires 10% heavy use, and 90% normal operation. Now if those percentages are flipped around, then the Cummins is the obvious choice.
* This post was
edited 09/29/07 07:00pm by Caddywhompus *
'04 Ford Freestar (Primary tow vehicle) '05 Subaru Forester (Backup tow vehicle) '65 Bethany popup (best popups ever made!) Looking for a tow vehicle Minivan towing
I don't buy into your duty cycle analogy as it infers my truck is not a good daily driver. Why is my truck not good as a daily driver? I feel it is a perfect daily driver for me and when I tow / haul, it does that really well, too. For my duty cycle, it excels 100% of the time.
No way in hades I would hook my trailer up to my minivan. And I think my truck is as good as a daily driver as my minivan.
Tom
Wife, 2 girls 12 & 9, 2 mini schnauzers
2005 Toyota Tundra Double Cab SR5 4x2
2005 Toyota Sienna XLE 2008 Rockwood 2701SS
F/A-18 Hornet 0-175 mph in 2 seconds
Caddywhompus wrote: Your loss. You don't even know what you are missing. Your Sienna is a much safer, more efficient vehicle and every bit as capable of towing.
I gotta ask. Would you consider my minivan more capable than my truck of towing my 5600 lbs, 23' travel trailer? If both are set up by a pro of course.
tomhole wrote: No way in hades I would hook my trailer up to my minivan. And I think my truck is as good as a daily driver as my minivan.
Your loss. You don't even know what you are missing. Your Sienna is a much safer, more efficient vehicle and every bit as capable of towing.
You mean the "experience" of driving a minivan? Been there, done that...I'd rather drive a HD pickup or fullsize van 1,000,000 times out of 1,000,000. Bonus: my pickup gets about the same or better mileage as every minivan I've driven.
John
1984 Ford B-700 school bus conversion, Thomas body
A bunch of other vehicles
3 nutty cats (Maya, Vierna, Briza)
One lazy dog (Marmaduke)
One wife (Liz)
"A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
-Jim Steinman
Caddywhompus wrote: Your loss. You don't even know what you are missing. Your Sienna is a much safer, more efficient vehicle and every bit as capable of towing.
I gotta ask. Would you consider my minivan more capable than my truck of towing my 5600 lbs, 23' travel trailer? If both are set up by a pro of course.
I gotta ask right back at you, why in the world would you think the pickup truck was the better tow vehicle (beside tow rating)?
Of course the article is truncated (d'oh) but I saw it in it's full version once. Andy much preferred the Sienna as the better tow vehicle, and so did the Toyota engineer he spoke with 'off the record'.
The basic gist of what is clipped is the Sienna's smaller OD tires and lower transaxle gearing give it almost the same amount of usable torque at the wheels. The difference is the van requires less power to move by itself, leaving more in reserve for pulling.
The stability was much better because of lower CG and longer wheelbase and less overhang. The Sienna also has a better suspension and lower sidewall tires.
If you are interested, I'd write Andy an email (you can get a message to him through the Can-Am website) and ask for the reprint.
And I know at least one forum member already pulling a similar trailer with a Sienna and loving it. I get a lot of emails and PMs from people afraid to post on the forum because of you guys.
I agree with Caddy about everyday drivers. People have just flat out forgotten how bad trucks drive on a dialy basis. They have no point of comparison. We just got back from Athens Georgia yesterday, seeing the Dawgs play, we went in my BroInLaws Suburban 2004 Z71. 6 people. Earlier in the year, we all made the same trip in a 2007 Honda Van. Hands down all of us agreed the minivan had more room, rode better, and used less fuel over the same route. The Sub rode like a two horse wagon compared to the Honda. This coming from a guy who has owned 5 Subs and currently drive 02 and 99 Denali's. Makes you step back and think about using vehicles like these as daily drivers, with only occasional tow duties.
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To review my argument again, look above and you will see I compared a Chrysler 300C sedan to a Dodge 3500 truck, not to an Astro. To see the complete 'argument' check a couple of posts back in this thread. 
