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Joe-K · 04-24-2006, 04:13 PM

I know, I know....we've seen plenty of threads about using the proper tow vehicle for the job but I had to post just one more. I wonder if the minivan might have just been a bit overloaded

Camping this past weekend, several of us were sitting around the campfire and watched as this rig pulled in. The trailer looked to be around 28-30 feet long, and it wasn't one of the newer liteweight ones.

I will give the owner credit, he did have a weight distributing hitch that was helping, but the rear of the van was still sagging. We did note that there were several camper storeage lots nearby the campground, so it is possible that the rig only was towed a few miles, but it still looks overloaded to me.

Joe-K · 04-24-2006, 04:13 PM

I know, I know....we've seen plenty of threads about using the proper tow vehicle for the job but I had to post just one more. I wonder if the minivan might have just been a bit overloaded

Camping this past weekend, several of us were sitting around the campfire and watched as this rig pulled in. The trailer looked to be around 28-30 feet long, and it wasn't one of the newer liteweight ones.

I will give the owner credit, he did have a weight distributing hitch that was helping, but the rear of the van was still sagging. We did note that there were several camper storeage lots nearby the campground, so it is possible that the rig only was towed a few miles, but it still looks overloaded to me.

Ray,IN · 04-24-2006, 05:48 PM

Yep, too much trailer. You can tell by the wheel wells and tire clearance that the vehicle is overloaded. Interestingly enough I read a classified ad in the current issue of Highways magazine selling a 38' Hitchhiker Champagne edition and the tow truck, a F250 Ford. Once again!

Frank P. Martin · 04-24-2006, 05:49 PM

You Photoshopped that, didn't you Joe? Because I can't even begin to believe that anyone with half a brain would tow a TT that size with a minivan... even if he was only towing it a few miles to a storage yard. I've heard of the tail waggin' the dog but that setup has to be the tail waggin' half-a-dog.

Joe-K · 04-24-2006, 06:07 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Frank P. Martin:
You Photoshopped that, didn't you Joe? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nope, that's an honest legit photo. When that camper was pulling in, the whole group of us had our jaws drop.

Here's another of them still trying to get the rig backed into a site. The weight bars are visible in this picture.

mamaloya · 04-25-2006, 03:00 AM

And we were worried about our Astro pulling our popup LOL. I have to say that on our way back from WDW our rear was saggin (and our vans too). I think it is because we left all of the soda and milk in the frig and had the cooler and ALL of the luggage (with extra souvenirs) in the back of the van. We are still learing about weight distribution.

I would never think of towing a TT that big with our Astro. I would not want to be the one buying that van from those people. I would assume there are going to be tranny issues down the line.

BTW, what is a weight distributing hitch and how does it work. Would it help me with my loading issues?

Ray,IN · 04-29-2006, 07:05 PM

mamaloya, I'll attempt to explain a W/D hitch, it's been a long time since I used one though. The weight distributing hitch uses spring bars to distribute the tongue weight of the trailer to both axles of the tow vehicle and the trailer axle(s). There used to be an add by
Reese of a front wheel drive car towing a camping trailer, with the car rear wheels removed, to demonstrate the weight distributing hitch. This type hitch is adjustable, and greatly reduces tow vehicle sag in the rear.

Candace · 05-07-2006, 12:50 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> You Photoshopped that, didn't you Joe? Because I can't even begin to believe that anyone with half a brain would tow a TT that size with a minivan... even if he was only towing it a few miles to a storage yard. I've heard of the tail waggin' the dog but that setup has to be the tail waggin' half-a-dog.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Frank, I was there as witness....we all could not believe that set up. We stood around and watched as he tried to back that rig into the campsite.

smlranger · 05-07-2006, 01:18 PM

I would have also guessed photo chop but I believe you Joe. Perhaps a short distance on level ground but would think the transmission would quickly overheat pulling that rig. Most mini vans have a 2,000 lb max tow rating???

When we had a 28 ft. Wilderness TT, we used to camp at a nearby CG on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I would tow the TT with my F150 to the CG on the way to work on Friday AM. My wife would pick me up at work in our '84 Ford Ranger PU. It had a hitch receiver on it so often, campers would express amazement that I could tow that 28 ft. trailer up that mountain with that little truck. I played along, bragging how peppy the 2.8L V6 was.

Hitchhiker · 05-07-2006, 01:29 PM

I wonder how he stops it with the little brakes that are on that minivan?

NeilV · 05-07-2006, 11:27 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by smlranger:
Most mini vans have a 2,000 lb max tow rating???

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Grand Caravans have a tow rating of 3800 lbs when equipped with the 3.8L engine. Still about half whats requred to pull this one.