Anyone Tow their HC with a 1/2t?

[2ndAmend]

No, if you get the correct length there's no need for Race Ramps. I have a set for the toy hauler but have yet to use them. They don't like gravel or uneven surfaces.

Look at what Best Aluminum Ramps has available. Their prices are good, and they made a custom set for a trailer of mine at a very good price. Those had to fit in the trailer's stock compartments.I haven't even checked if the ones I generally use with the 18-foot trailer fits in its compartments. It's quicker to strap them down to the front of the deck. Or you could put them in the bed.

Anyway, you're shooting for 10 degrees or less angle on the ramps, and how long they need to be for that depends on trailer height and whether it's a dovetail or not. Oh, and do get the knife edge version of the ramps.

Thanks! Yeah, 10deg was my measurement. I can fabricate steel in my barn, I figured I could make long ramps if necessary. And for storage, maybe in the middle of the trailer under the car, I can make them as long as the trailer if necessary. I even have an idea for folding rams with a center support... Or long ramps with a folding center support. I do that kind of stuff for fun! Having Solidworks do the FEA helps me make something no heavier than necessary.

 

[2ndAmend]

You need a trailer for low cars otherwise you'll be jacking it up to get on and off.

Thanks David. Is there a way to know if a trailer is designed for low cars short of putting my car on?

 

[Jimmy N.]

Making things like that is fun...but lifting steel ramps is not. At least not with my back.

The ramps shouldn't need to be any longer than the trailer deck is wide, so storing them under the car seems like extra work to me.

With a normal (non-deckover) trailer the break-over angle shouldn't be an issue, the approach angle is handled by the ramps, and that leaves the fender height.

If memory serves me, my fenders are nine inches tall, and the Challenger has 10 inches to the bottom of the door. When I went to pick mine up I was prepared to remove one fender, but that wasn't needed. Actually, I have yet to have to remove a fender, even with quite low cars on that trailer. Porshes, primarily.

 

[DavidKFla]

Thanks David. Is there a way to know if a trailer is designed for low cars short of putting my car on?

Most will say that they are. Mine had a removable fender but my door cleared it.

It's getting it on and off without rubbing and tearing up the splitter was the main problem for me.

 

[TraxMoe]

View attachment 121787

No, that spot is about perfect, it tows very nice. I have towed with a Grand Cherokee remember. I believe there are either Mopar or some after market shocks or springs that make that Durango work.

There are any number of sources for aftermarket Air Springs available. I have them on my Silverado from Rough Country. I have the onboard compressor to keep them aired up correctly.

 

[DGatzby]

View attachment 121787


There are any number of sources for aftermarket Air Springs available. I have them on my Silverado from Rough Country. I have the onboard compressor to keep them aired up correctly.

Good, now I know who to call. Sucks that the set that came with the +$90k vehicle are weak and cheap. That little Grand Cherokee with the air suspension did a better job of at least keeping it level!

 

[moparjim]

Good, now I know who to call. Sucks that the set that came with the +$90k vehicle are weak and cheap. That little Grand Cherokee with the air suspension did a better job of at least keeping it level!

The 4 corner air suspension is the best for towing. I will not get another truck that I use to tow without it. Especially since I refuse to punish myself daily with a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

 

[DavidKFla]

The 4 corner air suspension is the best for towing. I will not get another truck that I use to tow without it. Especially since I refuse to punish myself daily with a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

We didn't mind daily driving the Ram 2500 Cummins. The truck itself was starting to have numerous problems at 20K+ miles. Nowhere near as well built as the 1500 Ram.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Nowhere near as well built as the 1500 Ram.

That's interesting. Every one of the ones built in Saltillo (2500s and 3500s) we have or have had have been flawless.

The three 1500s are a different story, with the '14 being the worst (missing interior parts, very misaligned door, etc.). all concentrated around the right rear of the cab.

Panel fit on the '21s is nothing to write home about, but not horrible either. Mechanically they've all been good.

 

[DavidKFla]

That's interesting. Every one of the ones built in Saltillo (2500s and 3500s) we have or have had have been flawless.

The three 1500s are a different story, with the '14 being the worst (missing interior parts, very misaligned door, etc.). all concentrated around the right rear of the cab.

Panel fit on the '21s is nothing to write home about, but not horrible either. Mechanically they've all been good.

2500 was a 21. Transmission problems and a bunch of recalls because it might burn down.

Couldn't park inside or next to other vehicles or structures since it could catch them on fire. No estimate on when it could be repaired.

Lost confidence in it. Didn't want to be left somewhere hundreds or thousands of miles from home.

 

[DGatzby]

The 4 corner air suspension is the best for towing. I will not get another truck that I use to tow without it. Especially since I refuse to punish myself daily with a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

Thinking about why the Durango is not offered with it, I am thinking of the darn adjustable SRT shocks! I will get a couple of air bags in the rear springs for starters.

 

[Jimmy N.]

2500 was a 21. Transmission problems and a bunch of recalls because it might burn down.

Ah, those are easy fixes.

A simple locking dipstick from a parts store would've taken care of the transmission potentially puking, and the grid heater relay could simply be disconnected.

I have my grid heater disconnected and the 6.7 still starts just fine. At least down to -10.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Thinking about why the Durango is not offered with it, I am thinking of the darn adjustable SRT shocks! I will get a couple of air bags in the rear springs for starters.

Why not a WD hitch instead, which would help much more than any air spring ever could.

 

[DavidKFla]

Ah, those are easy fixes.

A simple locking dipstick from a parts store would've taken care of the transmission potentially puking, and the grid heater relay could simply be disconnected.

I have my grid heater disconnected and the 6.7 still starts just fine. At least down to -10.

Fipst

Ah, those are easy fixes.

A simple locking dipstick from a parts store would've taken care of the transmission potentially puking, and the grid heater relay could simply be disconnected.

I have my grid heater disconnected and the 6.7 still starts just fine. At least down to -10.

Dipstick was fixed. That was recall #2. #1 was supposedly that electrical relay. #3 no idea and no fix insight.

Truck spent 10 days at the dealer for the transmission. Still shifted poorly. It was a patch job until it completely failed. Half ass warranty coverage.

Fuck Stellantis.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Truck spent 10 days at the dealer for the transmission. Still shifted poorly. It was a patch job until it completely failed. Half ass warranty coverage.

Yeah, the 68RFE isn't the best transmission, but they can be made to work and live. Although maybe not by a dealer.

 

[DGatzby]

Why not a WD hitch instead, which would help much more than any air spring ever could.

Thanks, Jimmy, but I don’t like all the extra forces happening and things to dick around with. I’ll get it to work, I don’t tow that much.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Thanks, Jimmy, but I don’t like all the extra forces happening and things to dick around with. I’ll get it to work, I don’t tow that much.

I dunno, "...all the extra forces..." are no different than when grabbing the handles of a wheelbarrow, really.
And once adjusted, it's two levers to pull to tension or remove the spring bars.

Not a lot of work for much added safety (handling and braking, mainly.

 

[drag racer]

Good, now I know who to call. Sucks that the set that came with the +$90k vehicle are weak and cheap. That little Grand Cherokee with the air suspension did a better job of at least keeping it level!

Rough Country not showing anything for Durango rear.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Rough Country not showing anything for Durango rear.

I'm not surprised. It's not exactly their market.

When needing air springs for something I generally peruse what Firestone has to offer. Their web site has hundreds of springs to pick from, so it's really only a matter of finding the ones that have the correct measurements and load carrying capacity.

Since it's a coil to air swap, installation couldn't be much easier. Then I'd get the height sensing valves and a controller of my liking. Plus a compressor and air tank, of course.

Although, I'd be surprised if there isn't a kit out there already. It's just that I prefer to pick the individual components to get exactly what I want.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Took a quick peak and it looks like the air springs and mounts can be had for $330 (-20%, today anyway).

Also, there seems to be more or less complete kits ranging from a bit under $1,000 to almost $3000.