crepello
santa monica claifornia
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Greetings. I am new to the site and have a couple of questions regrading my 1996 Roadtrek 170. Having custom made a hitch-mount to carry two dirt bikes, I notice the rear of the vehicle sitting low when bikes are loaded. Am considering air-bags in rear rather than an extra leaf-spring. Have been told the extra leaf-spring would make the vehicle ride high in the back when unloaded, while the air-bags can be adjusted and would not be a problem. (A mechanic mentioned air-shocks as an alternative.) My other question is regarding the tendancy of the vehicle to run hot. I have only noticed this problem on long mountain uphills. I have to keep the van in "drive" and just gun it uphill to get airflow accross the radiator, otherwise it overheats. It always runs cool under normal driving conditions, however, I am unsure if the radiator is the original and may just be showing signs of age. I have considered an additional electric fan and possibly a different or new radiator. Does anyone have thoughts re my questions? Thanx James
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Joined: 12/30/2001
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Moved from Forum Technical Support.
2002 Adventurer 32V - Workhorse chassis
1998 CRV toad - manual transmission
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VE3ESN
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 03/08/2002
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Turn off the overdrive when going up hills!!
Jerry & Susie
1996 Roadtrek 190 Versatile (Dodge 5.2 L)
FMCA F390585
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crepello
santa monica claifornia
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Thanx...neglected to mention that I do always turn of the "overdrive" when on the inclines.
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dreed
Mtm. View,Ca.
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A radiator shop can check the radiator for flow. If that doesn't do it it could be a restriction in the exhaust.
Dave
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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For a simple try at a fix for your overheating, look for some 'Water Wetter' (May have to order online), but be aware that the problem may be bigger than that. I'm assuming that you've tried the simple stuff like t'stat and a good flush?
I put a set of Air Lift air bags on my '00 Dodge RT 190. I'd recommend a few extra-long drill bits of whatever size it takes; they'll make getting to the frame much easier. Don't 'Tee' the fill lines together; individual fill points will minimize body roll. You'll want good shocks; air bags have no self-damping properties, unlike leaf springs. But the air bags get my vote. Good luck!
Jim, "Out of my mind. Back in five minutes."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
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smallcamper
North Carolina
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Joined: 08/16/2001
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I installed Firestone Ride Rite air bags on my 1999 Dodge Roadtrek Versatile several years ago. No drilling required, just a few hours work.
I recommend air bags for a Class B built on the Dodge 3500 van; the rear suspension is not up to the task by itself.
Here's the link to Ride Rite -
http://www.fsip.com/riderite/
On edit - noticed you have the 170 on a Dodge B2500 chassis; no matter, the air bags will level your van to match the load.
Tom
1999 Roadtrek Dodge 190 Versatile
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Tor2ga
Sanibel Island, Fla
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You need to consider not only the weight of the dirt bikes on the rear hitch, but also the distance from the rear axle that weight is projected. You should consider installing a hitch and carrier on the front and carrying one bike there to balance the load. You may find that with all the load aft and a long lever arm behind the axle it makes your front feel light and control compromised especially in windy conditions or with a lot of trucks around.
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loving retirement
SF Bay Area
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crepello wrote:Greetings. I am new to the site and have a couple of questions regrading my 1996 Roadtrek 170. Having custom made a hitch-mount to carry two dirt bikes, I notice the rear of the vehicle sitting low when bikes are loaded. Am considering air-bags in rear rather than an extra leaf-spring. Have been told the extra leaf-spring would make the vehicle ride high in the back when unloaded, while the air-bags can be adjusted and would not be a problem. (A mechanic mentioned air-shocks as an alternative.) My other question is regarding the tendancy of the vehicle to run hot. I have only noticed this problem on long mountain uphills. I have to keep the van in "drive" and just gun it uphill to get airflow accross the radiator, otherwise it overheats. It always runs cool under normal driving conditions, however, I am unsure if the radiator is the original and may just be showing signs of age. I have considered an additional electric fan and possibly a different or new radiator. Does anyone have thoughts re my questions? Thanx James
James, after checking your Roadtrek 1996 Dodge 2500 Standard Van specs I believe you may well be overloaded even before you add the weight of the hitch and those two dirt bikes. 1996 was the first year that RT made a 170 and they built it on the 2500 chassis with only a 6,800 pound GVWR, not the 3500 Maxivan that they used for the 190's which had a 8,510 pound GVWR that year. In 1999 the GVWR of the 170's was raised to 7,000 lbs, in 2000 it was raised again to 7,700 lbs and with the introduction of the Chevy chassis and using the 2500 Regular Van for the 170's in 2003 it was increased again to 8,600 lbs. My advise is have your RT weighed at once with your normal full load. In 1996 the RT 170 only had a little over a 1,000 lb CCC, not counting any options.
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Gene in NE
Omaha
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Joined: 09/15/2003
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Definitely get your unit weighed. As "Tor2ga" mentions, the distance of the dirt bikes behind the rear axle is also very important. Add the weight of the bikes and the carrier, then multiply that by the distance behind the rear axle. Then divide the answer by the distance between the front and rear axle. This number is the amount you are lifting from the front axle and shifting to the rear plus the dead weight of the bikes and carrier. If you are over on the rear axle; air bags, extra leafs, or spring assisted shocks will not help.
2002 Trail-Lite Model 211-S w/5.7 Chevy
Gene
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