Towing Capacity

[DCI]

Can someone tell the towing capacity of a 440 equipped 20' Clipper?

Thanks
Tom

[Horst]

I would not go over 4,000lbs - and that's ONLY if you're hitch is properly attached to the frame.

[DCI]

Thanks. I am picking my clipper up in a few weeks and plan to have some strenght added to the rear frame. Does the past newsletters have anything about this?
And what do you mean by properly attached? Is there a problem with the factory hitch?

Thanks for the help.

[Horst]

The back issues of the ACOC Newsletters has extensive coverage of this issue.
I do not believe hitches were standard - poeple had them put on.
Many (some, mine included) were not intalld properly for serious towing - they were simply connected to the extension portion of the Clipper - as opposed to being properly welded and reinforced bac (actually foward) to the stock portion of the frame.
Have a professional look at the hitch - you can mess up your Clipper real quick by trying to tow too much with an improperly mounted hitch.

[DCI]

Thanks Horst,
  I have sent in the membership form so I look forward to reading about this. I plan to beef up the hitch no matter what.

Tom

[Grizzlybear & Panda]

Can anyone tell us what the weight limit is for our 1975.  :?:
We would like to know if it would pull a small Dodge Dakota?
Have been told yes by many and then no by others.  :?  :?
Paul & Carolyn

[Horst]

As I noted earlier in this thread - is your hitch properly attached?
Also, do you have a 360 or a 440?
How much does this Dakota weigh? Be sure to add gas, and any items you might be "storing" in it while travelling. Are you going to use a dolly, a trailer, or 4 wheels down?

My gut instinct - if you have a 360 - I wouldn't do it.
If you have a 440, and the hitch is great, and your drive train is great, and you have excellent brakes and a good trailer brake system (if using a trailer) - and you are experienced at towing - well then your probably OK, provided your well under 4,000 lbs.

Towing is a sensitive topic, often leading to heated debates. There are people who will tow big trailers with a Ford F-150, or a Chevy Blazer. It's one thing to be "able" to tow something - it's an entirely different thing to be able to tow something "safely".

[Cookiecruncher]

I have a 21 Foot American Clipper and I have towed my Dodge Dakota Several times with it  ( 4 wheels down ) and had no problems. it seems to go were it's towed to go.

 Cookiecruncher Saint Cloud Florida
21 foot rear kitchen
360 engine
727 trans