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Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle???

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Old May 19, 2004 | 06:57 PM
  #1  
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Default Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle???

It certainly has the power and the interior space. I wonder if the tranny, brakes and frame are up to the task.

Could be a great tow mule for those who hate trucks as daily drivers and have less than 5000lbs to lug around.
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Old May 19, 2004 | 07:04 PM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (Catch 22)

It's a unibody and sources say max towing is 3800-4000lbs or so.

I'm sure it has the power, but even an IT Civic on an open trailer will be knocking on that door.

If they would have built it on a truck frame that would have probably become the #1 choice for daily driving/towing duties.
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Old May 19, 2004 | 07:57 PM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (Todd00)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Todd00 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> It's a unibody and sources say max towing is 3800-4000lbs or so.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's exactly what I read from the Dodge material (3,800). If you were into motorcycle racing I think that it'd be second to none (heck, it'll probably be my next vehicle provided nothing funny pops up). Seeing as how the RT has nearly 400 little pullers attached to it's crank, and that it's a large vehicle to boot, which probably means big brakes, it's probably the frame that really isn't up to towing more. But then again, I don't know jack about this stuff.

Andrew, who thinks the Magnum l00ks !c3y h0t!
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Old May 20, 2004 | 03:53 AM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (ASteele2)

Dodge Magnum drift car?



K
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Old May 20, 2004 | 04:19 AM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (ASteele2)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ASteele2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

That's exactly what I read from the Dodge material (3,800). If you were into motorcycle racing I think that it'd be second to none (heck, it'll probably be my next vehicle provided nothing funny pops up). Seeing as how the RT has nearly 400 little pullers attached to it's crank, and that it's a large vehicle to boot, which probably means big brakes, it's probably the frame that really isn't up to towing more. But then again, I don't know jack about this stuff.

Andrew, who thinks the Magnum l00ks !c3y h0t!</TD></TR></TABLE>

The transmission is likely going to be the weak point. I've looked into this pretty seriously, cuz I can't stand dem dere truks. It would work for my needs, but i'd be right up on the limit of what it's rated for with a 2000 pound trailer. I wouldn't worry about the frame, because any hitch you put on it to tow 3800 pounds should be welded, reinforced, and attached to the frame at plenty of points. At least, that's how I would do it...
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Old May 20, 2004 | 04:50 AM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (madhatter)

Yeah, I'd strongly suggest against using it...

The car has a 4100lbs curb weight... I can only imagine what overtaxing the thing would be like... especially in emergency maneuvers. Not good with a unibody.

I'm not saying my Tahoe would be any more deft at maneuvers when towing... but it was MADE to tow and it's only using 70% of it's towing capacity.

--kC
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Old May 20, 2004 | 05:32 AM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (madhatter)

For something like Chris's car, with a single axle trailer, I'd bet it would work just fine. His Civic cant weigh more than 1850lbs and you can easily get that car on a 14 foot single axle trailer that is under 1000lbs.
If the trailer had electric barkes, it'd definately be a done deal.

Scott, who's 1600lb trailer is overkill for his little 1975lb Civic
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Old May 20, 2004 | 05:35 AM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (Catch 22)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">For something like Chris's car, with a single axle trailer, I'd bet it would work just fine. His Civic cant weigh more than 1850lbs and you can easily get that car on a 14 foot single axle trailer that is under 1000lbs.
If the trailer had electric barkes, it'd definately be a done deal.

Scott, who's 1600lb trailer is overkill for his little 1975lb Civic</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'd worry about the tongue weight on a single axle trailer. Especially with a unibody tow vehicle.

Matt
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Old May 20, 2004 | 05:52 AM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (Catch 22)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">For something like Chris's car, with a single axle trailer, I'd bet it would work just fine. His Civic cant weigh more than 1850lbs and you can easily get that car on a 14 foot single axle trailer that is under 1000lbs.
If the trailer had electric barkes, it'd definately be a done deal.

Scott, who's 1600lb trailer is overkill for his little 1975lb Civic</TD></TR></TABLE>

Doesn't even weigh that much.

We're talking about making a major hitch installation, beefing up the tranmission with a cooler, and stiffening the rear shocks and springs to make this happen. It's getting cost prohibitive, but it's not a truck.
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Old May 20, 2004 | 06:16 AM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (madhatter)

What j00 need is a '96 Caprice or Roadmaster Estate.

Body on frame, 300+lb.ft LT1 engine, rated to tow 5000lbs.



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Old May 20, 2004 | 06:19 AM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (Crack Monkey)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crack Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What j00 need is a '96 Caprice or Roadmaster Estate.

Body on frame, 300+lb.ft LT1 engine, rated to tow 5000lbs.



</TD></TR></TABLE>

If I bought a wagon to begin with I would've had no need to buy an expedition

Those impala wheels are not recommended for towing (loads are t00 high)
Stick with steelies for towing duties.

That doesn't l00x like an LT1 either, unless wagon's tail pipe/s stick out to the side.
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Old May 20, 2004 | 08:58 AM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (Crack Monkey)

CM--Didn't you give up on your Caprice tow vehicle? Can't remember off hand, but I seem to recall you aren't using it anymore...
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Old May 20, 2004 | 09:17 AM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (Crack Monkey)



<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crack Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What j00 need is a '96 Caprice or Roadmaster Estate.

Body on frame, 300+lb.ft LT1 engine, rated to tow 5000lbs.



</TD></TR></TABLE>

I thought you sold your caprice and bought a seirra...maybe it was some one else
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Old May 20, 2004 | 09:19 AM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (madhatter)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by madhatter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">CM--Didn't you give up on your Caprice tow vehicle? Can't remember off hand, but I seem to recall you aren't using it anymore...</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's not his car...it was just an example picture....that thing doesn't even have a tow bar
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Old May 20, 2004 | 09:27 AM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (El Pollo Diablo)

IIRC, his was an old police cruiser. Nowhere near that pimped out...
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Old May 20, 2004 | 09:33 AM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (El Pollo Diablo)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by El Pollo Diablo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That doesn't l00x like an LT1 either, unless wagon's tail pipe/s stick out to the side.</TD></TR></TABLE>

All 94-96 wagons were LT1s. The picture may be a 91-93, which would have had the LO5, but still a 350ci V8.
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Old May 20, 2004 | 09:36 AM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (89civicdx)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 89civicdx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I thought you sold your caprice and bought a seirra...maybe it was some one else</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes. But not because the Caprice was inadequate - it was just busted and not worth repairing. It was my daily driver at the time, so couldn't afford downtime while I rebuilt the tranny. 'Twas an '89 (boxy body, old sk00l small block).
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Old May 20, 2004 | 01:30 PM
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Default Re: Dodge Magnum Tow Vehicle??? (Catch 22)

Not sure about the Magnum for towing, but I DO imagine a 5.7L variant of the Chrysler 300 picking up where the Crown Victoria leaves off for police duty.
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