Aust. National Dealer Bulletin re: TOWBARS on SRT8 - Page 2

Jaffa · 08-11-2006, 11:17 PM

Hi Guys
Thought you may like to see some pics of Mopar towbar on my 300C (if I can work out how to upload them)
When I first saw it I thought it looked very low compared to the Falcon/Fairlane height I'm used to.
Got the bruises on the shin bone to prove it.
I've placed a ruler next to the towbar so you could gauge the ground clearance.

If the SRT8's sit lower to the ground than 300C's it may be a matter of just not enough clearance for safe towing.
Perhaps Mr Stats can enlighten us as to RTA requirements there. Keep up the good work John

Safe driving people!
Gotta get louder horns. Almost run off the road twice by large trucks.
Jaffa

outbacktourer · 08-13-2006, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaffa

Hi Guys
Thought you may like to see some pics of Mopar towbar on my 300C (if I can work out how to upload them)
When I first saw it I thought it looked very low compared to the Falcon/Fairlane height I'm used to.
Got the bruises on the shin bone to prove it.
I've placed a ruler next to the towbar so you could gauge the ground clearance.

If the SRT8's sit lower to the ground than 300C's it may be a matter of just not enough clearance for safe towing.
Perhaps Mr Stats can enlighten us as to RTA requirements there. Keep up the good work John

Safe driving people!
Gotta get louder horns. Almost run off the road twice by large trucks.
Jaffa

You could be onto something, this whole thing smells of something arbitory but no-one has the guts to tell us. My mate with a FPV Typhoon has his 1600KG of race car and trailer on the back today, no worries..

fnkychkn · 08-13-2006, 08:10 AM

in canada, the only SRT vehicle that can be equipped for towing is the grand cherokee SRT8. mopar kit is available.

avm · 08-23-2006, 02:09 AM

(censored by author)

**Hemi57** · 08-23-2006, 02:31 AM

AVM, I very much doubt that the DCA approved Towbar is "illegal".

DCA brought Engineering evaluation 300Cs into the country some time before they started production to get ADR approval and I was advised specifically that the Towbar was part of that evaluation.

aphexer · 08-23-2006, 06:15 AM

Towing isn't recommended for any of the SRT range.

A memo was released for the 300C range (excluding SRT) clarifying the tow rating as it is a diminishing tow rating. This means as you add weight to the car (cargo & passengers) the maximum tow rating decreases. If any of you didn't receive this addendum with your owners manual, i'd be happy to post up the details for clarification.

AVM has basically covered the reasons for the 300C... these reasons could cause a lot of warranty related conflicts! (personal opinion) The standard 300C tow pack does mount quite low on the car.

Grand Cherokee SRT8 can't have a towbar fitted for the following reason -
Centre mount exhausts! And for the lovely sound they produce its worth it! (I tried to post a pic, but it won't let me yet!)

finally the crossfire SRT-6... not much of a tow vehicle anyway! despite the power!

avm · 05-15-2007, 10:12 AM

(censored by author)

**Hemi57** · 05-15-2007, 05:07 PM

avm, a quick response only:

Later builds do have the cruise control indicator in the dash. I personally question why you criticism of this issue so highly. You should know when the cruise is active (it will maintain your selected speed) and if you need to slow down or stop it does not have overriding influence, ie. it is not a big deal, it is a nice to have.

On the towbar, while I recognise from our conversations your dissatisfaction with the reduced ground clearance, however the height of the tow ball is an easily rectifiable issue (I do accept that it should be right first time when you buy it) as many towbars have a "goose neck" which raises the tow bar height.

Have you checked the financial health of GM, Ford, Mitsubishi, etc, etc, etc, lately?, I recommend you do before making dire predictions about Chrysler's future products.

Seat Belt? I read a letter from a reader in one of the daily newspapers motoring section, he was a big gentleman and could not do up the seatbelt in the back seat of his Commodore. GM's response was, "it meets ADR specifications". Two wrongs do not make a right but congratulations on your accolades for Hyundai.

Here's
Y
U
Never
Drive
An
Import

Pity you have the rattles. The vast majority of members report their 300Cs to be "tight as a drum"

SRT4ME · 05-15-2007, 08:33 PM

SRT8 still a no-no for towing, however I have a private e-mail from DCA saying that the SRT8 wagon is a go, @ 1650 kg.

Next step is a towbar, don't like the DC one so will have to find a reliable towbar shop to make one up. Any ideas on that people (Melbourne SE burbs)

Am a little concerned abut the actual clearnace below the towbar, & it'll have to be a romovable one 'cos I don't want it there when i'm not off to the tip.

lastly, I live on a bad dirt road & SRT4ME is still squeek & rattle free (except for the drivers window on the way up!)

SWORDY · 05-15-2007, 09:53 PM

As you all know I have tow bar fitted to 300c Touring. Certainly is low and have to be very careful when entering and exiting certain drive ways. This is with standard 18inch wheels. With lower profiles I can image it would even be worse. Must admit not the best designed towbar set up.