[Mahduece]

Not sure if anyone is familiar with one, but I’ve got a mint 2005 Chevy Roadtrek 190 with only 20,000 miles. I love it for camping on rock climbing and mountain biking trips, but now thinking about using it as a track tow vehicle for my m2c and being able to rv at the track for a weekend.

Basically it’s a Chevy 3500 chassis with tow option. Big LS v8 and 4 speed auto.

Would this be sketchy?
Would I need to add extra cooling? Like for the tranny?

Thoughts?

[Mahduece]

Nobody? Guess the track forum is dead.

[ggggbmw]

If it has a tow option, are you sure it doesn't have a transmission cooler already?

Do you have any idea what the tow rating actually is? If it's a 3500 chassis, I would be guessing at least 5000 pounds, but I really have no idea. And the weight of the RV conversion might take some of that.

It really depends on the trailer you're going to use. If you have a lightweight aluminum trailer in the 1500 pound or less range, you would probably be good. If you have a heavy ass steel farm trailer, or something enclosed, you would need to be a lot more concerned.

[Mahduece]

Yeah tow rating is 10,000lbs but the full weight of van and rv conversion is stated at 7,000lbs!!!! Lollll

The van does have some solid power though. I’ve been all over Colorado at high 10,000 elevation mountain passes the van just goes!

I think the tow option just gives it different gears ratio. But I doubt tranny cooling because that area of the floor feels pretty warm/hot when I stop at camp sites.

I plan to use the UhAul trailer to start. Seems like other people have used that but it does have it downside.

Basically I hate towing things and really hate white knuckle driving while towing.

[E90convert]

I see some of these setups at track events I attend. Perhaps you'd get some better intel from inquiring with owners.

[M2guru]

Originally Posted by ggggbmw

If it has a tow option, are you sure it doesn't have a transmission cooler already?

Do you have any idea what the tow rating actually is? If it's a 3500 chassis, I would be guessing at least 5000 pounds, but I really have no idea. And the weight of the RV conversion might take some of that.

It really depends on the trailer you're going to use. If you have a lightweight aluminum trailer in the 1500 pound or less range, you would probably be good. If you have a heavy ass steel farm trailer, or something enclosed, you would need to be a lot more concerned.

This is solid advice! Look at the GCVW (Gross Combined) as well as you explore your options. If you did a lightweight open aluminum trailer, I'd bet you'd have no issues. I have an enclosed 20' trailer that I tow with a 2006 F250 that I tow my '18 M2 with. I use my trailer as my RV when at the track, too - you probably wouldn't need that as much with your tow pig.

[rg1220]

I think you'll be fine to tow with it. I have a 2011 Chevy Express 4500 with the 6.6L Duramax. Maybe not a fair comparison with mine being a diesel, but I don't feel much back there when towing.

I've used the uhaul trailers just fine, though for the e92 m3 I needed some blocks of wood under the front wheels to not take off the splitter. I'll find out about that with my M2 soon. Though I think the biggest downside to the uhaul trailers is not having electric brakes. I've towed a stupid heavy lowering trailer for a combined weight of 18k lbs without any issue and the electric brakes really made it feel like nothing was back there.

If concerned about temps, I'd just tow with it and monitor the temps - I think you can get them via OBD2 and something like the Torque app. Pull over if it gets too hot and you'll know what you need to upgrade when you get home.

[Mahduece]

Originally Posted by rg1220

I've used the uhaul trailers just fine, though for the e92 m3 I needed some blocks of wood under the front wheels to not take off the splitter. I'll find out about that with my M2 soon. Though I think the biggest downside to the uhaul trailers is not having electric brakes. I've towed a stupid heavy lowering trailer for a combined weight of 18k lbs without any issue and the electric brakes really made it feel like nothing was back there.

If concerned about temps, I'd just tow with it and monitor the temps - I think you can get them via OBD2 and something like the Torque app. Pull over if it gets too hot and you'll know what you need to upgrade when you get home.

This is great to hear. I’ll look into the torque app and obd2 setup. Thank you

Btw your rig setup is epic. Love to see the inside buildout.

[rg1220]

Originally Posted by Mahduece

This is great to hear. I’ll look into the torque app and obd2 setup. Thank you

Btw your rig setup is epic. Love to see the inside buildout.

Unfortunately the inside is nowhere near done... will it ever be done? probably not haha. Just has a queen bed in there now, no toilet, etc. But I'm actually having an axle weight issue. Front axle is only a few hundred pounds away from max weight but the rear axle has nearly 4000lbs left. The current plan is to move the bed to the front and then we can install the toilet, shower, sink, fridge, etc over or behind the rear axle.

Here's a few progress photos with a couple interior photos. Just realized I don't really have any good interior photos.

View post on imgur.com

[Mahduece]

Originally Posted by rg1220

Unfortunately the inside is nowhere near done... will it ever be done? probably not haha.

Home builds are my favorite. You’ll easily be able to get some serious weight in the rear of that, batteries, water, grey tank, black tank, generator, etc. and if all else fails put a front lift on it hahah!

[rg1220]

Originally Posted by Mahduece

Home builds are my favorite. You’ll easily be able to get some serious weight in the rear of that, batteries, water, grey tank, black tank, generator, etc. and if all else fails put a front lift on it hahah!

I know! Shouldn't be too bad. A front lift is temping since it's got a bit of rake that makes you feel like you're sleeping slightly down hill haha

I see you're front WV; you do any events with BMW CCA NCC? I'll be at all 3 events this year.

[Mahduece]

Originally Posted by rg1220

I see you're front WV; you do any events with BMW CCA NCC? I'll be at all 3 events this year.

Yeah I moved to WV last summer from CO, but the area BCCA here is non active. I should try to check your regions events.