Transmission Failure

[bscott]

Traded my 95 Jeep GC----193,453 miles----never spent $1.00 for non-waranty work. Heavy mountain towing all four seasons. Hope the 03 does as good.

99 Ford Windstar----trans is suspect at 89,000 miles---I think its a FORD thing.

BTW----the only proper way to flush the tranny is to back flush with a new filter and oil, then back flush a second time. Expensive but it does make a big difference in shifting and cooling.

[Rusty]

I'm new to this site. Don't have a boat yet, hopefully soon. I did have one of the early Mac25s in the late 70's. Towed that with an AM Ambassador V8 with no problems. I have a 99 Dodge Grand Caravan ES, 3.8L, 5K towing pkg, with 77k. Haven't done any towing just camping trips to Yosemite and the like. My tranny in this one went out around 75K. Had a 92 Caravan whose tranny went out around the same mileage.

My question is will a 3.8L be enough to handle the Mac26? Or, even a Dodge product?

Sure wish I had my own boat. Renting limits the locale one can sail in.

Rusty

[Frank C]

.... I have a 99 Dodge Grand Caravan ES, 3.8L, 5K towing pkg, with 77k. Haven't done any towing just camping trips to Yosemite and the like. My tranny in this one went out around 75K. Had a 92 Caravan whose tranny went out around the same mileage.

This comment probably sounds critical, and that's not my intent. However, you're asking if your Caravan can tow a 26X or 26M? Those Dodges have a reputation for blowing the trans, and both of yours have done so already, right? The Mac is a light boat, but it's large enough that it pushes a lot of wind. It would be a load for any six cylinder tow vehicle, let alone one with trans problems.

Anyway, it seems that you answered your own question. If you asked your local Dodge service writer, bet he'd say avoid all towing, regardless of the towing pkg. OTOH, some here have towed with a 4-cyl Outback. How risk-averse are you ???

[Rusty]

Frank, I totally agree with you. I've talked to alot of folks, those that tow and those that don't, and they all say the same thing. I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that when I do get my boat I'll be getting a new tow vehicle as well. I know that I'd get a different answer from each you that tow when I ask what is the ideal tow vehicle is for the Mac26 (X or M) so I won't ask, I'll just monitor this board and take notes.

Thanks for the reply. -- Rusty

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

I have a 99 Grand Caravan (Wifes car) with the 3.8l v6. Great motor, but I wouldn't tow my boat with it. It's not a power issue, I don't think the tranny or the brakes are up to it.

However a good friend of mine has owned 2 X's and now a M and he has towed them for years with his Chrysler mini van. The towing is infrequent as he mostly has kept his boats in a slip.

I'll stick with my Suburban.

[kmclemore]

We've got a Caravan too - but we're selling it because it does not have the towing capacity for a Mac26X. We bought a Toyota Sienna and it tows like a dream.

(NOTE: This picture was taken before I added 'AirLift' rear springs... they make the van handle almost like the Mac isn't even there! Rides smooth, flat and steady. For more info see HERE and look for entries by 'PUFF4')

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Yeah, I'd worry about the rear suspension on the Caravan too. It's a solid axle with leaf springs, a single lone leaf. Looks pretty whimpy and I know that even my 1/2 ton Suburban could use a stiffer rear end when towing the mac. My old '77 3/4 ton Suburban did a much better job. They just don't build trucks like they used to. All these SUV's have mush for suspensions so you don't spill your starbucks coffee.

[Frank C]

Rusty,
I've had 3 different tow vehicles during the 5 years I've owned my Mac:

• 97 Expedition 5.4L - a little wimpy on power, traded @ 40,000 mi.
  (97 Toyota Tacoma PU w/ Supercharger (owned by my son), ample power, but the Tacoma's rear suspension woefully inadequate for tongue wt.)
  00 Durange 4.7L - about same performance as Exped, traded @ 36,000 mi.
  03 Sierra half-ton PU, 5.3L, quadrasteer

The Sierra, hands down, is the best for power, stopping & control. And for any who wonder, I prefer everday driving with quadrasteer engaged, towing with it turned off. Once you learn how to back a long trailer w/ conventional steering, it's hard to unlearn. Nonetheless, in everyday driving, it truly does have a turning circle like a compact car.

[Rusty]

All good inputs, thanks to all. I've noticed the sagging rear suspension with just my camping gear loaded. We seem to take everything including the kitchen sink. I was curious about how it would take the tongue weight of something like a Mac with that kind of rear suspension. We are definitely thinking of replacing the Caravan. I'm still taking notes if any one else wishes to chime in with their favorite tow vehicle. Happy towing/sailing.

Went down to the Navy Sailing Center here in San Diego today and rented a Santana 22 (w/o iron sail) for a couple of hours. It's better than nothing. I love to sail.

[Robert]

Isuzu Trooper, They are not available new at this moment, but will probably be available again as 2006 models. Anyway, if replacing the tow vehicle at the same time as buying a Mac26, money could be in short supply. Troopers have a really low resale, yet are a good value. Troopers are very sturdy, built like real trucks used to be. The suspension is good, and can be made excellent with a set of OME shocks and progressive springs each for about $60 a wheel. With the OME the every day ride is still very nice since the shocks are also progressive, they remain initially soft and stiff up quickly when needed. Troopers are big inside and get about the MPG of a minivan around town. The engine is tough enough for towing, but not a V8. The transmission is cooled well enough not to need an add on cooler, there are 5 speed manual transmissions available if you prefer.
..
You asked for chiming in, there you have it. If towing every day over not too steep a grade the Trooper will be very good. As an every day vehicle the Trooper is a lot more fun to drive than a minivan. And you can take up "off-roading" or pull up very challenging boat ramps with the 4wd.

[kmclemore]

.... I have a 99 Dodge Grand Caravan ES, 3.8L, 5K towing pkg, with 77k. Haven't done any towing just camping trips to Yosemite and the like. My tranny in this one went out around 75K. Had a 92 Caravan whose tranny went out around the same mileage.

This comment probably sounds critical, and that's not my intent. However, you're asking if your Caravan can tow a 26X or 26M? Those Dodges have a reputation for blowing the trans, and both of yours have done so already, right? The Mac is a light boat, but it's large enough that it pushes a lot of wind. It would be a load for any six cylinder tow vehicle, let alone one with trans problems.

Indeed, the Chrysler vans do have a vicious reputation for blowing their trannies. However, the trans is not the problem... it's the fluid. That trans takes a very special fluid - ATF-III - and if you put ANY other fluid in it - even as a partial to top it up - you'll blow the trans. The reason is that the Caravan/Voyager trans has a computer control that assumes a certain amount of slip in the clutches... put in any other fluid and the clutches will either grab, slip or chatter... and soon will die. Now, one of the reasons the wrong fluid often gets put in is because the dipstick on many of them actually says you can use Dextron (the kiss of death for that trans), and even the dealer can screw it up - I know, because mine did (almost.. I managed to catch them before they put in the wrong stuff).

I drove my 97 Caravan for over 100,000 miles with absolutely no trans problems, and I towed my Boston Whaler, and other trailers, lots of times. Change the fluid regularly - every 20K miles - and make *sure* you use the right fluid. I do my own, but if you get a shop to do it then buy the right stuff in advance and hand them the fluid.

Cheers
Kevin

[kmclemore]

All good inputs, thanks to all. I've noticed the sagging rear suspension with just my camping gear loaded. We seem to take everything including the kitchen sink. I was curious about how it would take the tongue weight of something like a Mac with that kind of rear suspension. We are definitely thinking of replacing the Caravan.

The Caravan is not rated for towing more than 2000 lbs. GW. That's why I had to buy the Toyota Sienna - it's rated for 4000 lbs. and pulls the Mac easily. I also got the 4-wheel disc brake option, which I highly recommend if you plan to tow. And as an every-day van, I love that car... rides beautifully and we haven't had a single problem yet.

[Don T]

Hello:
OK, it's been a while since I've been on this site.

Chip, my GMC is a full sized conversion van with a 305.

F - O - R - D = First On Race Day.

I also own a 66 mustang (since high school).

[richandlori]

Something cool to look at...I will post the rest of the story when I get out of this Minneapolis Airport and get my travel tired butt back home to California.


[img]


HELP!!!HOW DO I POST A PHOTO....I GIVE UP>>>>

[/img][/list]

[kmclemore]

HELP!!!HOW DO I POST A PHOTO....I GIVE UP

Hi, "RichandLori"... posting a photo is easy..

-- If you have a legitimate URL for the photo (i.e. the web address, including the 'http//www.' bit - test it by typing it into your browser and make sure the picture appears)

-- then you just click the "Img" button and it will put in a starting "img" statement...

-- then immediately thereafter - with no spaces - paste/type in that URL....

-- then immediately click the "Img" button again and it will put in a closing "/img" statement.

-- It should ultimately look like this, but with the "(" symbols replaced with "[" symbols:

(img)http://www.picturehost.com/myusername/m ... .jpg(/img)

For example, here's a photo of my boat:





Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Kevin