Front wheel drive towing and launching

[EricR]

Re: Front wheel drive towing and launching

We tow a 1969 15' Glasspar that I estimate to be 1500lbs with a '99 Grand Prix GT, I have used it on our local steep, slimy boat ramps at low tide (we have about 7-9' of tide swing) and never have any tire spin what so ever. At one time I had a bad wheel sensor on the front so the traction control and ABS was disabled, no problem.

Towed the rig from Savannah to western VA in the mountains with no problems either. Mileage goes from 27-29 down to 16-19 but that's it. Have the 3800 Series II engine.
You just have to be careful to get the tounge weight right.

 

[monach5.0]

Re: Front wheel drive towing and launching

Here in Oz, I had a 4cyl mazda 2.2L motor fwd. I know how you feel. I would make sure other people were around, incase i needed help. I towed a 17ft manark 1/2 cab, boat and trailer weight 1000 kgs 2200lbs. Several times I had the people with me sit on the bonnet (hood) to stop the front wheels spinning, (the car would have pulled the boat out) I just didn't like the wheel spin. I now have a frontera 4wd on demand. It was a good reason (excuse) to get a bigger car as the boat would steer the car. At the end of the day don't worry, the boat will follow you. just keep calm and minimise wheel slip.

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Front wheel drive towing and launching

To the best of my knowledge, the only vehicle that has a load rated park pawl is the full size chevrolet GMC with the allison transmissions. I always put mine in 4wd and in park and set the e brake before getting out. I then pull out in 4wd without turning the wheels at all, and back in 2wd at the top of the ramp. I have not slipped once.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Front wheel drive towing and launching

I towed my 21ft Regal for 3 years with a Ford Escape FWD.
Have to admit I was limited to what ramps I could launch at.

 

[fishdog4449]

Re: Front wheel drive towing and launching

I have an 96' Ford F150 standard shift. Don't have any problems pulling my 18' Glassmaster weighs about 1500lbs. It's a standard shift, so I put the parking brake on, let out the clutch to the friction point, then release the brake, let the clutch out and hit the gas. There is just enough weight on the tongue that I never have traction problems.

 

[Matthew_B]

Re: Front wheel drive towing and launching

To the best of my knowledge, the only vehicle that has a load rated park pawl is the full size chevrolet GMC with the allison transmissions.

That's a good thing because GMC parking brakes don't work

All kidding aside, I don't buy the "load rated park pawl" bit.

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Front wheel drive towing and launching

That's a good thing because GMC parking brakes don't work

All kidding aside, I don't buy the "load rated park pawl" bit.

Tell you what - there's nothing on this transmission that hasn't impressed me yet. I went from being a ford guy who will only drive manual transmissions in trucks to a GMC with an auto, and this six speed hasd a lot to do with it. It's the same one they use in the medium duty trucks.



"For T6500 and T7500 customers the standard transmission is an Allison 2500 Series six-speed with a GCWR rating of 14,969 kg (33,000 lb.) Also available is the Allison 2200 Series close-ratio six-speed transmission with integral park pawl and GVWR/GCWR rating of 11,793 kg (26,000 lb.), and a 2550 Series wide-ratio six-speed transmission with integral park pawl and a GVWR/GCWR of 13,600 kg (30,000 lb.)."

http://media.gm.com/ca/gm/en/products/VehiclesEng/e8T-Series_PIG.htm

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Front wheel drive towing and launching

I tow with a FWD honda odyssey. There is only one ramp where I had to take it easy to keep from slipping, and you could see the oil sheen on it. Never have I felt like I was not going to make it out of the water. My boat weights 1000 lbs more than yours. The SUV will do fine. Relax and go boating.

 

[Matthew_B]

Re: Front wheel drive towing and launching

http://media.gm.com/ca/gm/en/products/VehiclesEng/e8T-Series_PIG.htm

You tow your boat with a box truck?

I don't see anywhere you substantiate the claim that Dodge and Ford trucks don't have a "load rated parking pawl".

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Front wheel drive towing and launching

That's the best I can do. GM's published rating and Fords ownwers manual telling you to always put the park brake on.

https://web.msslib.dealerconnection...tent/myfile.pdf?DMW_OBJECTID=09000c588050a3d3
Page 176

HIGH GVW PARK PAWL
The park pawl on the Allison 1000 Series is rated at 19,850 pounds, which is more than the full Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) ratings of the 2500 HD and 3500.
http://media.gm.com/division/gmc/products/GMC_transmissions_m74features.html

 

[BF]

Re: Front wheel drive towing and launching

As has been said... FWD on a ramp?? Depends on the ramp and your load. Last weekend I had to be towed up the ramp near the cabin with my Montana FWD. This is pulling a lightweight 16' aluminum and 25 hp up a marginally steep gravel ramp that was damp from earlier rain. It simply did not have enough grip to start moving before the tires would slip and dig a hole. Traction control on was worse than no traction control.

I've been successful on this ramp before, but I won't try it unless the neighbour is around with their 4x4 (just in case). It didn't need much help to get up, but it needed some. I'm guessing a RWD would've made it (probably).

 

[Matthew_B]

Re: Front wheel drive towing and launching

That's the best I can do. GM's published rating and Fords ownwers manual telling you to always put the park brake on.

So the GM owner's manual says it's OK to park the vehicle without the parking brake???

HIGH GVW PARK PAWL
The park pawl on the Allison 1000 Series is rated at 19,850 pounds, which is more than the full Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) ratings of the 2500 HD and 3500.
http://media.gm.com/division/gmc/products/GMC_transmissions_m74features.html

I note that's less than the transmission's tow rating of 26,000 lbs (also on the link you provided). Seems a little weird to rate the park lock to less than the rating of the transmission.

You do need to note some history here. The Allison 1000 was adopted from MDT applications where there isn't a park in the transmission. That makes the park brake a unique item for allison when they made it the 1000 for pickup trucks.

Ford doesn't rate the park part of the transmission alone. But it does rate the whole thing for 33,000 lbs towing.