On Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:45:08 GMT, "Don White"
wrote:

This May I plan to drive to Quebec/Ontario to find a particular model of
sailboat and tow it back home.
Trouble is...the boat + outboard + trailer will weigh about 1800 lbs. which
is 90% of what my '95 Plymouth Voyager mini-van is rated to tow. Adding to
the problem...Chrysler vehicles are known for weak transmissions.
Luckily I have the 3 speed automatic which was more reliable than the 4
speed in this model year.
To get ready for the trip, I plan to have the transmission serviced & change
fluid/clean filter plus add a cooler.
Hopefully this will keep me moving on the 1200 mile drive home.

Questions...am I pushing the envelope?

Yes.

You didn't mention if you have a trailer towing package on the Voyager
which would include a oil/transmission cooler and what kind of hitch
you are using. If it's one of those light weight U-Haul jobs, you
might have a problem. If you don't have a towing package on the
Voyager, then it's a bigger problem. The towing figures mentioned as
"Max" are optimistic at best. Considering that you are running a '95,
you are at max if not over.

If you can't use any other tow vehicle or any other method of getting
the boat back, then maintainence at the minimum is necessary. Harry's
advice about the extra stuff like bearings, tire inflation, etc is all
good.

If you keep your speed down and travel smart, it will probably do the
job. But I would seriously consider trading the car afterward. :)

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------
The years will bring their Anodyne,
But I shall never quite forget,
The fish that I had counted mine
And lost before they reached the net.

Colin Ellis, "The Devot Angler" quoted
in A. R. Macdougall, Jr's "The Trout
Fisherman's Bedside Book" (1963)