Posted by MoparNorm on Saturday, January 08, 2005 at 2:17PM :
In Reply to: Re: Pull an airstream? posted by Bill Kerfoot on Saturday, January 08, 2005 at 12:50PM :
I think that product liability has more to do with it towing rating than anything.
Older vehicles had serious limitations in steering, transmission, engine and brake technology. The Ram has a Cummins. Look at a semi-truck, the tractor is much lighter and smaller than the trailer, but loads to 100,000 lbs are safely pulled. (notice I qualified my first post by stating experienced drivers!) I tow that 5,00 lb trailer with both the small Cherokee with the I-6 and the CJ7, I would be in serious trouble without the electronic brake controller and the in-cab brake manual over-ride, AND the stabilizer. In the Ram I don't even need the stabilizer and the brakes, although that would be unwise and illegal in some states. I would not think that the Power Wagon frame would need any additional support, it is already double walled and very strongly built, but considering the abuse that most of them saw, I would check it out thoroughly for cracks and damage. Personaly, I would not tow 100 lbs with a Power Wagon without disc brakes and a V-8, but per Mikes posts it was done on a regular basis. Many of these truck were working in oil fields, logging, etc.and I have seen many photos of them pulling tractors, dericks, hauling logs etc. It would be a slow trip, but a safe one.
MN