Community Forums

soundman7 · 08-11-2012, 09:41 AM

Why do people always have to get in to pissen matches.

A HD van would be a great option, I often thought that a van with a small head and galley would be the ultimate TT tow vehicle.
Our previous rig was a 31' TT Toy hauler towed with a Ford Excursion PSD and that thing towed great. My hitch was a Reese dual cam.
We took a trip from MD to MA with 3 toddlers 1 infant and 4 adults and all went well!
We have sold our TT TH and moved in to a 5er and F350 but I still have my Excursion. That thing is has to part with.

Hey when you guys decide to get in to these pissen matches remember that it doesn't serve any body, especially the OP who is coming seeking info and sometimes overwhelmed and they just need friendly advice.
Go start another thread and stop hijacking others.

WiliWali · 08-11-2012, 05:56 PM

For us, a one ton van is the perfect tow vehicle - perfect for us in that we like to surf fish, and we can stow our rods inside without taking them apart. Also has plenty of room for the dogs! I also think vans offer better visability and more creature comfort if you have more than 4 people.

That being said, if you are going to load the van up with people and stuff, you are probably going to limit the tow capacity to 8500 lbs or so, but that should be plenty for the size trailer the OP is talking about.

Our 35 footer is like 8000 lbs and pull great. The big block gasser or diesel and 4:10 gears are essential if you are going to get close to maxing things out.

Our previous tow vehicle was a Chevy G20 with 5.7L gasser and 3.73 gears, and at that time, our 6500lb trailer was about as much as it could handle.

Bobsbeatter · 08-12-2012, 09:15 AM

X2 on the van! I'm a Ford guy, but can't recommend the 6.0 diesel they came with so I'd say a Chevy Passenger van with a Duramax. It's a rare beast but they are out there.

I tow a 6500# TT just fine with with my 12 passenger E350 gasser. Towing MPG is about 9,5 but annual towing milage is low so its really not an issue.

We have 3 kids, 5,7,9. Having an extra seat to separate them at this age is very useful. I pulled out the rear bench and still have room for 8 people and 5 bikes in a regular length van.

Ford vans are every bit a truck also. E350s are an F350 with a stiffer, wider frame, full floater axles are also common.

If you're looking for used vehicles, Ford vans depreciate Like crazy at first, making them a great buy at a couple years old.

Full size vans rock!

drfife · 08-12-2012, 10:22 AM

Here's a thread on towing with a van:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f45/towin...-in-81120.html

I'm sure those members could offer some very good advise and information.

Foxhaven · 08-12-2012, 10:48 AM

A word of advice....Don't put any faith in what a salesman tell you about Towing capacity....Verify everything with the manual and door sticker.....I caught holy hell from the boss decades ago because I told a customer the truth about load capacity and the pickup he was looking at....

He wanted to haul a truck camper with it....

I told him that the truck was too light for his camper and lost the sale....The boss told me in no uncertain terms...."It's none of my business...what he does with the truck...After he buys it from us!"...

Do your own research...Please...

Bobsbeatter · 08-12-2012, 02:05 PM

Here's what Ford says about towing with a van:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...trp25Aug07.pdf

The passenger van 6.8L tops out at a GCWR of 18,500, but the cab/chassis at 20,000#. I'd bet money that the difference is nothing more than a different gear ratio.

Did you know that a regular length E350's outside dimensions are smaller while having about 1/3 more cubic interior capacity than a Suburban's? It also has less rear overhang, which some would argue, is better for towing.