Don,

I think you have the right idea in getting the transmission serviced and an
oil cooler installed. I have a 24 foot cruiser that I tow with a 2000
Durango. The towed weight is about 95 percent of the trucks tow rating
(5900 lbs). After many trips between Atlanta and various parts of Florida,
I have had no transmission problems at all and the engine is still strong
after 115,000 miles. The key is that I take good care of it. I change th
oil, get the transmission serviced regularly and it has a transmission
cooler as well. I never go above 60 mph when towing and I drive it like a
baby. For that it has served me well.

Good luck with your new toy.

Frank


"Don White" wrote in message
news
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? I'd hate to breakdown in the middle
of nowhere at the mercy of a local 'mechanic'
waiting for a $1500.00 repair job while cooling my heels in a flea bitten
motel.
What about next winter when I'm not towing?
In your engine cooling system, you have a thermostat to hold the coolant
in
the block until the temperature gets up to 195 F.
I assume the transmission fluid would never get warm as it is probably
always circulating.......when engine is on.
Would this promote premature wear?

Thanks guys.
I'll drive the rig like a little old lady heading to church on Sunday.

Frank Taylor, Jr. wrote in message
...
Don,

I think you have the right idea in getting the transmission serviced and
an
oil cooler installed. I have a 24 foot cruiser that I tow with a 2000
Durango. The towed weight is about 95 percent of the trucks tow rating
(5900 lbs). After many trips between Atlanta and various parts of
Florida,
I have had no transmission problems at all and the engine is still strong
after 115,000 miles. The key is that I take good care of it. I change th
oil, get the transmission serviced regularly and it has a transmission
cooler as well. I never go above 60 mph when towing and I drive it like a
baby. For that it has served me well.

Good luck with your new toy.

Frank


"Don White" wrote in message
news
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? I'd hate to breakdown in the
middle
of nowhere at the mercy of a local 'mechanic'
waiting for a $1500.00 repair job while cooling my heels in a flea
bitten
motel.
What about next winter when I'm not towing?
In your engine cooling system, you have a thermostat to hold the coolant
in
the block until the temperature gets up to 195 F.
I assume the transmission fluid would never get warm as it is probably
always circulating.......when engine is on.
Would this promote premature wear?

"Don White" wrote in message
...
Thanks guys.
I'll drive the rig like a little old lady heading to church on Sunday.


Are you kidding? In God's great big waiting room (Florida), we call that
rush hour.