300M Trailer questions, What is the answer?!?

OK.

So I know what trailer I want to pull with my 300m, it weighs 1400LBS.

In the 300m manual it say's I can pull up to 2000LBS.

I called Chrysler Canada and the woman who answered was not a tech but she
said from what she can tell I can pull up to 2000LBS, what is stated in the
manual.

I went to a Chrysler dealership to see about getting the hitch installed.
Basically I was told they would not do it, because the car is not meant to
pull trailers and it could damage the car. I asked why it stated I could
pull 2000LBS in the manual and the reply is that it's a book and not the
real world.

I then went to a second "5 star" dealership (much larger). I was told NO
PROBLEM. The sales rep even showed me the 300M hitch in the parts book and
told me that what Chrysler says you can pull you can pull.

So now I don't know what to do. I really want the trailer, but I don't want
to damage my car. I was going to use it a lot, probably thousands of KM's
of towing in total.

Does anyone have any experience towing with the 300M or any other cars with
the same body like the LHS, Concorde, Intrepid?

What do you think?

Thanks.

 

No experience with that model, but ask the dealer about an auxiliary
transmission oil cooler. Heat is the enemy, and towing creats more
heat.
You will want to change trans fluid annually if towing close to the
limit, and definitely change the oil frequently. Not a bad idea to run
Synthetic oil either, as heat and regular oil could result in "coking"
on that car.
Also, except for on very level terrain you will not want to be in
overdrive, and you will want to limit your towing speed to less than
100Kph (62 MPH). You will also want trailer brakes installed, and an
anti-sway bar on the hitch makes life a whole lot more pleasant.
Properly loaded, a weight distribution (torsion bar) hitch should not
be required.

 

Hi,

I use synthetic oil and the trailer does have electric brakes. It seems to
be more of a question of the car frame bending out of shape. The first
Chrysler service tech I talked to told me something about 4 bolts holding
the frame to the car and it's to weak for towing. He owns a Concorde and
would never do it.

It's really frustrating that they all have different opinions on the matter.
I just can't see how the manual would state 2000LBS and every website states
2000LBS but for it to be an over exaggeration, What would be the point of
that?

Thanks.

 

Steve - This is your third thread askingabout towing with your M. I
posted to one of the other threads with the following advice - perhaps
you didn't see it:

"Notwithstanding worhtwhile advice you might get here, you might
consider posting to the 300M Enthusiasts Club forums
(http://300mclub.100megs42.com/forums/index.php). I know at least one
avid poster there (sdmike300M) has a hitch on his M. Not sure if it's
removable, but certainly he can add insight to your questions on brakes,
tranny cooler (it already has one from the factory, but does it need
more?), and towing capacity.

"I'm thinking, trailer or no trailer, that the LH cars aren't the most
trouble-free as far as brakes (vibration - possibly warp-induced), so I
would consider brakes on the trailer no matter what. Get Performance
Friction Z-Rated™ pads for the M - they are exceptional and cost no more
than run-of-the-mill pads. Don't worry too much about the rear brakes -
focus on the fronts - that's where the heat and problems are.

"Might also consider replacing cooling fan assembly with police package
replacement (which, believe it or not is actually cheaper than
non-police - go figure!). Your fans are only good for about 100k miles
anyway - so if the "opportunity" comes up for replacing them..."

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
adddress with the letter 'x')

 

Steve,

This thread on the 300M Club forums may help:
http://300mclub.100megs42.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2529&highlight=hitch

Notice the second post (sdmike300M) - he links to photos showing the
install of the MOPAR hitch.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
adddress with the letter 'x')

 

Hi,

I saw your post and I joined the 300M club last week but the password the
president sent me does not work. I email him about it. I have also seen the
photos of the hitch installed on the 300M but that person only showed it
being used for a bicycle. I emailed him to ask if he used it for anything
larger.

The frustrating thing is there is no definitive answer coming from Chrysler.
I don't want to mess my car up over a trailer.

Thanks,

Steve

 

I have used my 3.5 300M to pull my trailer for some time now. I have a
removable hitch which is great because it really looks ugly with the hitch
mounted :-D

Not that heavy loads though, only about 5-600 kg firewood.

JimR

 

Steve wrote:

Well, I don't have any direct experience with towing with an LH car- but
then I wouldn't want to. Personally, I think any FWD vehicle is a very
poor choice for towing, both from a durability point of view AND from a
vehicle dynamics point of view. Engine braking with a FWD/trailer
combination is like balancing a pencil on its tip- just not a great
situation. FWD cars do 90% of their braking with the front wheels, and
if you've ever looked at the rotor/caliper size on the rear wheels
you'll see that they're just not going to be much help in stopping the
trailer. I'd definitely look into trailer brakes, even though 1400 lbs
is WAY below where you really need trailer brakes for a RWD car, truck
or SUV tow vehicle. Trailer tongue weight tends to take weight OFF the
driving wheels of an FWD, whereas it ADDS weight to the driving wheels
of an RWD vehicle.

That said, I don't necessarily think that the owners manual grossly
overstates the capabilities of the car- its not going to immediately
kill it to tow 1400 lbs (by the way, that better be your LOADED trailer
weight, or else you're not going to have much payload and stay below the
2000 lb limit.) Its certainly OK for flat-land towing- I wouldn't
venture into the mountains with it. But a rear-drive car, truck, or SUV
would be a better choice all-around.

 

I hear you and agree with what you have said. The trailer does have electric
brakes. It's 1450LBS with nothing in it. In the manual it says I can have
850LBS in the car, so I can put almost everything I need in the car and not
add additional weight to the trailer. I would keep the water tank empty and
the propane tank weighs about 40LBS full.

In an ideal world I would have a tow vehicle but that is a additional
expense I don't need right now.

Steve

 

I would install the recommended hitch and tow. Chrysler is the one backing the
warranty. If they say it is safe to tow, trust them.

 

i have put hitches a few of these cars and have not seen any issues with that
just make sure yu don't tow in overdrive