Chevy Express 3500

[Fellarfarm]

Currently towing with a ram 2500 and a 05 Jayco 31bhds.

We always have to take 2 vehicles due to 4 kids and two dogs. I've been seeing families towing 30ft travel trailers with vans, eliminating a second vehicle. Anyone on here tow with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton van. I'm thinking chevy express 3500 6.0 v8. Tows 9,600lbs and has great payload. Any feed back from anyone using one would be appreciated. wheelbase? what you tow? advice or suggestions...

Thank you.

Jim

[dewey02]

Originally Posted by Fellarfarm

Currently towing with a ram 2500 and a 05 Jayco 31bhds.

We always have to take 2 vehicles due to 4 kids and two dogs. I've been seeing families towing 30ft travel trailers with vans, eliminating a second vehicle. Anyone on here tow with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton van. I'm thinking chevy express 3500 6.0 v8. Tows 9,600lbs and has great payload. Any feed back from anyone using one would be appreciated. wheelbase? what you tow? advice or suggestions...

Thank you.

Jim

It has been about 8 years now, but we used to tow with a G20 GMC conversion van. Our trailer was not 30 ft, but I think it was 24 or 26 foot. The GMC had a 350 cu.ft. engine and automatic transmission. We never had any problem with acceleration or control in the many years we towed with it. It was not the stubby van, but the van with a long wheelbase.

It was great for the kids, especially on long trips because of the captain's chairs, the built in TV and VCR, and the ability for the non-driver to get up and move around, get the kids food, bring the driver snacks, etc.

I can't speak to the capability of modern vans, but we sure enjoyed traveling in style and comfort with that old conversion van.

[sunshine39]

We used to tow with a72 3/4 ton Dodge van.
Pulled 31 foot Airstream from New York, DC, Atlanta to Louisiana a number of times. Only issue we had was with the 318 it had an issue with I-81 in the mountains.
Swapped it out for a 360 with a 4 barrel and it pretty well took care of the mountains.

The Van was used for a lot of things and all six of us enjoyed it.

Good Luck

[Midnightmoon]

The Express van is the last if the true body on frame vans with good towing capacities. Modern vans like the Sprinter and Transit have much lower towing capacities in comparison.

For example, my Sprinter 2500 is rated at 5000# tow capacity.

[apr1967]

I tow with an 2014 Express, 1 ton, standard wheelbase. Its a great tow vehicle. The 6l engine pulls strong, the trans seems bulletproof. I tow a big 32 foot bunkhouse (see signature) and with it loaded and my family of 5 in the van we are close but not over. We removed the seat behind the driver/passenger to make dog room and cooler space.

[Fellarfarm]

Thank you everyone. Search is on for a express short wheelbase 12 pass. 6.0 3500. I’ll let you know how it tows my 31bhds.

[apr1967]

They are common fleet vehicles. Lots of state goverments own them. Lots of rental car places in big tourist areas have them as well. Used they are a hell of a value, I think I paid less than 20k for mine, at 1.5 years old and 26k miles.

[Fellarfarm]

I use a 2014 ram 2500 and with 4 kids and two dogs driving a second vehicle on longer trips is making me make this decision. The van has great payload and good towing. I will be able to put all 6 of us in the van with two dogs and still be good numbers wise to tow. I’m concerned about rust. I will probably under coat it. Looking at a used 2018 tomorrow. We will see...

[apr1967]

Dont know where you live, but we are going to be selling our 2014 Express 3500 as we are moving to a class A. PM me if interested.

[Fellarfarm]

I'm located in ohio. I've been looking at Express 3500 regular wheel base models. They are sure hard to find. Looking for a 6.0 3500, What I'm finding is there are a lot of extended wheelbase models around me though. I have a garage big/long enough for either wheel base. My question is what will tow better? regular wheel base or extended? will there be a difference?

Thanks

Jim

[Rustic Eagle]

Jim,

Originally Posted by Fellarfarm

snip..... My question is what will tow better? regular wheel base or extended? will there be a difference? Thanks Jim

IMO the longer/heavier Express 3500 wheelbase will provide enhanced handling characteristics when towing a 32ft plus TT, especially in less than ideal towing conditions (weather, sudden maneuvers, etc.).

Bob

[Happy wife / happy life]

Jim, I can't speak to towing,but, the 6.0 is one great engine,the only draw back is it gets horrible fuel mileage ( i was a Chevrolet whsl. Partsman for 35 years - just retired).

[Fellarfarm]

Thank you for the replies. Lots of extended wheelbases in my area and not a lot of regular. I have 4 kids so the 15 passenger extended is unnecessary however I could removed bench seats and that’s more cargo room.