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Question - a little OT - Tow vehicles

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Not a lot of privately owned propane fueled vehicles in my area, mostly fleet as has been mentioned.

One thing I noticed when in Canada a few years back where I saw a LOT of propane fired vehicles were the WARNING signs posted in front of many buildings stating that such vehicles must remain on the street. I became most aware of this when my cab dropped me off at the curb, in front of my hotel, with two bags, a briefcase, a laptop, and an umbrella...since it was raining cats and dogs.

Ray
 
mccalebr said:
...with two bags, a briefcase, a laptop, and an umbrella...since it was raining cats and dogs.

Ray
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Ray,
I HOPE that umbrella was XTRA STURDY so as to be able to deflect that downpour of Felines & Canines!! "Me-Yow!!" & "Wooof!" ("That would Hurt!!") :lol: :laugh:

(Sorry BUD, just HAD to give you a hard time!)
grin.gif


Seriously though, I think most cities have recognized the increased hazard potential of any compressed gas. I'd have to think that IF the installation was done correctly this risk would be minimized. The big uncertainty is "...IF the installation was done correctly..."!! :yesnod: :nonod:

"Cheers!" :cheers:
-Bear-
 
BugEyeBear said:
Seriously though, I think most cities have recognized the increased hazard potential of any compressed gas. I'd have to think that IF the installation was done correctly this risk would be minimized. The big uncertainty is "...IF the installation was done correctly..."!! :yesnod: :nonod:
"Cheers!" :cheers:
-Bear-
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Not sure there is an increased risk. I remember a few years watching an industry video where they hoisted a car in the air and literally dropped it on its tank - not even a puncture. that being said, there is a reduced number of companies doing the conversions here I think because of lack of market - which sucks as propane is now .65 cents a litre
 
JPSmit said:
BugEyeBear said:
Seriously though, I think most cities have recognized the increased hazard potential of any compressed gas. I'd have to think that IF the installation was done correctly this risk would be minimized. The big uncertainty is "...IF the installation was done correctly..."!! :yesnod: :nonod:
"Cheers!" :cheers:
-Bear-
Click to expand...

Not sure there is an increased risk. I remember a few years watching an industry video where they hoisted a car in the air and literally dropped it on its tank - not even a puncture. that being said, there is a reduced number of companies doing the conversions here I think because of lack of market - which sucks as propane is now .65 cents a litre
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:iagree:

Sorry, I meant to say that cities have recongnized the "increased risk" determined it was slight, and also determined that the reduced cost of operation was worth the slight risk increase.

My brain works faster than I can type sometimes... :crazy:

"Cheers!" :cheers:
-Bear-
 
BugEyeBear said:
My brain works faster than I can type sometimes... :crazy:
Click to expand...

OBVIOUSLY, I type REEEEAAAAALLLLLLLY SLLLLLOOOOOOOW!! :lol:

"Cheers!" :cheers:
-Bear-
 
If it can't use both propane and gas, steer clear. I can just see you pushing it to the nearest Ace Hardware and telling them to "Fillerup!" Hank Hill would be proud.

I've towed with vehicles I shouldn't and you can get into some real white knuckled situations. You want a vehicle that's safe to tow with. Not only you're safety but everyone around you. Depends on where you're going to tow. If flatlands, then a smaller engine/vehicle would probably work. Up in mountainous territory and you're going to need something with some serious grunt. Another thing people don't normally consider is wheelbase. Shorter wheelbase with a heavier load bounce quite a bit.

I towed Midgie home behind my Jeep Wrangler in an open air trailer 45 miles to the house. While we made it without incident I'd never do it again. I use to tow the family's John Deer 635 behind it up in North Georgia. Won't do that again either. Dad now has a Ford 150 crew cab with tow package and Triton V8 for our towing needs. I know I'm going to make it up the mountain without having a full throttle head start.
 
Here in Texas, you can only legally fill your propane vehicle at a DOT approved propane vehicle filling station. I have seen several online vendors that sell a kit that allows you to refill a propane vehicle from those small outdoor grill tanks.

As for the safety of compressed gas, I hate to break it to you guys, but there is absolutely no fuel available for a road going vehicle in the US or Canada that is MORE dangerous than gasoline provided proper equipment is used and all appropriate safety measures are followed. This includes hydrogen. If you are going to die in a fire or explosion in a car, said car WILL be gasoline powered.


I *think* one drawback of propane is that it will produce a little less torque than gasoline. Which probably won't matter much pulling a Spridget or a Rabbit.
 
I tow a 7/16 enclosed "V" nose / 4 wheel brakes, 7000 lb capacity with a Chevy 1500 350, duel exhaust, heavy duty transmission, heavy duty brakes, and towing package. I use equalizer bars on the hitch with a sway control. I've so far put over 12,000 miles on this combination pulling flat lands and mountains and never had a problem. I've had some very heavy loads in it and in the mountains, it has to work hard, but it does the job. The secret is to be set up right. If you go off half cocked, your asking for trouble. Also, Haps right when he said a flat bed is much easier to pull. I have both, so I know this is true. Also a flat bed is a little easer on the pocket book on gas mileage. Remember, an engine using Propane or Butane, will not have the power of gas.
Not a very good photo of the combo at our ranch in Oklahoma.
P6010011.jpg
 
Define "heavy duty transmission" please. I was a transmission specialst for GM for 20 years... that truck, if made after 1991, had at the most a 700R4 (MD8) trans. AND THAT AIN'T heavy duty. 12,000 miles is not all that comprehensive a benchmark, either. The 700R4 was and is a good unit, but won't make it a long time with a trailer like you show. There just isn't enough clutch plate surface area to live a long life. The internal splines in the 3-4 clutch are a weak point, and wear through and "strip". Then there is the reaction carrier with it's effete pinion shaft/bearings....and so on. You would be WELL advised to upgrade the truck to a 3/4 with the 4L80E (GM), or the 5R110(Ford) transmission that has the capacity for that type of hauling ....In the long run!
 
You could keep the truck and perform a transmission swap to a heavy duty box, if you haven't done that already. Since you've got a 350 in it, it should be fairly easy. You could also swap out differential...if you wanted to.
 
So, after going to all that trouble of "swapping" the trans and differential, the computer needs to be informed of things like..... gear ratios in each trans gear as it shifts, TCC strategy, differential ratio, and if tires are different, the RMM....Rotations per mile of the tires.... Then the driveshaft, mount, shifter are all different..... cheaper in the long run to get the correct truck for the task in the FIRST place.
 
Sherman said:
Define "heavy duty transmission" please. I was a transmission specialst for GM for 20 years... that truck, if made after 1991, had at the most a 700R4 (MD8) trans. AND THAT AIN'T heavy duty. 12,000 miles is not all that comprehensive a benchmark, either. The 700R4 was and is a good unit, but won't make it a long time with a trailer like you show. There just isn't enough clutch plate surface area to live a long life. The internal splines in the 3-4 clutch are a weak point, and wear through and "strip". Then there is the reaction carrier with it's effete pinion shaft/bearings....and so on. You would be WELL advised to upgrade the truck to a 3/4 with the 4L80E (GM), or the 5R110(Ford) transmission that has the capacity for that type of hauling ....In the long run!
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I like how you put things, being such an authority on my truck, so I'm sorry to inform you but, I bought this truck new in 93 and have pulled trailers ever since, over quite a bit of the U.S. Because I wanted to pull a heaver trailer, at 147,000 miles, I had the transmission redone by a speed shop who specializes in building automatic transmissions for racing. It is not stock, neither is the torque converter which is made by Allison. It has all new heavy duty components in it along with new and different high tech clutch pack. 12,000 miles pulling this trailer and about 5,000 additional miles pulling a flat bed car trailer. Last inspection and internal filter change, every 10,000 miles, showed no foreign material or dirt in the oil or pan. It also has an external filter along with an external cooler. It cost me a bundle to have it done and I'm happy with it, and THAT my friend is all that matters! Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, it's approaching 206,000 miles now.
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So that's why you didn't post these upgrades in the first place? So you can "put" me in my place? The very fact you had the "speed shop" do all the upgrades only further tempers my point.....get the heavy duty truck IN THE FIRST PLACE.. I am not going to argue with the folks that seem to adhere to the "little choo-choo that could" mentality. There always will be some folks who, like yourself, run the edge.... and never have to deal with actually living through any of the inherent dangers... Good for you.... but the risks still exist. The danger isn't any less real. Peace!
 
jhorton3 said:
..."Fillerup!" Hank Hill would be proud.
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:lol: :laugh: TOO FUNNY!! :laugh: :lol:

"Cheers!" :cheers:
-Bear-
 
I Gotta Agree w Ray....

<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">GEEZ Guys... Lighten Up!!</span></span> :shocked:

Remember, we are all here to share ideas, experience, and hopefully a few laughs... :lol:

This isn't some competition about who knows best! :winner1:

"Happy Motoring!" :driving:

-Bear-
 
That's fine.... with a tow package,,,, the vehicle was originally DESIGNED for it.... and I assume you tow within limits of weight and load distribution.... ? But how many times have you observed some myopic moron hauling a trailer down the road with too-small a vehicle, the tongue just barely off the ground, front wheels just touching the pavement, and the trailer swaying in the wind? AND they think it is just OKEY DOKEY!!!!!
 
Ha, have spent a lot of time, years in the near east. Towing is easy compaired to what you see on the vehicle. Not safe but intresting.
 
<span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #CC0000"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">Folks, I've worked too hard on this forum to make it a sanctuary from the normal flame wars and childish food fights we see on so many other forums. So I'm asking for a favor here -

Either discuss topics in a civil fashion or go find another forum...it's just that simple. It is fine to have different opinions, but please express those opinions with tact and not like someone with a huge chip on their shoulder.

We are all friends here, so let's please treat each other accordingly - or I shall visit you in the small hours and put a bat up your night dress!

Kind Regards,
Basil</span></span></span>
 
OK ...

We need to get Sherman a spridget so he can join the fun. :wink:

I've fed the flame in another thread so I shall admit guilt and do my penance and promise to do better in the future.
 
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