Towing
- Thread starter BatDad74
- Start date
AZDIESELPIG
Glamper Elite
If you are looking to kill that Voyager and buy something new(er)....go for it. You asking for a 25 year old transmission to tow right up to the limit and up grades. Not mention you will probably be over payload as well.
Where did you get your towing capacity numbers? I am only seeing 2000 lb towing with no towing package.
Where did you get your towing capacity numbers? I am only seeing 2000 lb towing with no towing package.
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Transmission only has 37,000+
MagnusBjorn
Senior Member
RV LIFE Pro
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2019
- Posts
- 213
Can you... Yes, should you... No. You will no doubt be overweight and over payload with a vehicle that was not designed to tow in the first place.
AZDIESELPIG
Glamper Elite
Still...that's the least of your problems.
What trans is it? Does it have a trans cooler?
iam not sure why you are asking if you will tow with it no matter what is said here.
You don't know the first thing about me to think I would ask about it and totally ignore what advice I have received. You are rude and have no business making a comment if you are going to be negative. If you have no help to offer or positive comments keep them to yourself.
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Camper_bob
Senior Member
Trying not to get in the middle of a potential argument, but AZDIESELPIG is just going with the odds. A lot of folks have gotten on here and posed similar questions to yours, but really their decision was already made. They're just looking for someone to say "yeah, that's okay". In response to every post citing why you shouldn't do it, that OP counters it with things like "but the transmission is new", or "the trailer should weigh around..."
At the end of the day, you're going to do what you're going to do, but I would expect nearly every person on this forum to respond that you should not tow that trailer with that vehicle.
That would be my advice anyway. And as was said earlier, "yes, you can, but you shouldn't". That's coming from a place of experience. I towed a trailer thousands of miles right at my capacity. It was a terrible experience, constantly worried about breaking something, or losing control and injuring my own family or someone else (because like it or not, you share the road). And that was in a truck that was designed to tow up to its rated capabilities.
Reasons I say "no":
-You'll be over payload
-There is likely a frontal area limit included with any published towing capacity, and that trailer likely exceeds it greatly
-Tow "limits" are usually based on an extrapolation of payload capacity, which is typically based on 10% tongue weight; the likelihood of getting into a trailer sway situation is MUCH higher with that little tongue weight.
-It's unlikely you have a properly rated hitch receiver
-Van is front-wheel drive
-Suspension and tires are designed for comfort, not for towing/hauling
-Van probably does not have a real frame (Unibody) and is unable to use a weight distribution hitch to return weight to the front "axle".
In short, that vehicle was not designed for towing, and so towing at or above its limits is very ill-advised.
All of that said, I've seen some Dodge/Chrysler minivans do some crazy things that they should not be able to do...
At the end of the day, you're going to do what you're going to do, but I would expect nearly every person on this forum to respond that you should not tow that trailer with that vehicle.
That would be my advice anyway. And as was said earlier, "yes, you can, but you shouldn't". That's coming from a place of experience. I towed a trailer thousands of miles right at my capacity. It was a terrible experience, constantly worried about breaking something, or losing control and injuring my own family or someone else (because like it or not, you share the road). And that was in a truck that was designed to tow up to its rated capabilities.
Reasons I say "no":
-You'll be over payload
-There is likely a frontal area limit included with any published towing capacity, and that trailer likely exceeds it greatly
-Tow "limits" are usually based on an extrapolation of payload capacity, which is typically based on 10% tongue weight; the likelihood of getting into a trailer sway situation is MUCH higher with that little tongue weight.
-It's unlikely you have a properly rated hitch receiver
-Van is front-wheel drive
-Suspension and tires are designed for comfort, not for towing/hauling
-Van probably does not have a real frame (Unibody) and is unable to use a weight distribution hitch to return weight to the front "axle".
In short, that vehicle was not designed for towing, and so towing at or above its limits is very ill-advised.
All of that said, I've seen some Dodge/Chrysler minivans do some crazy things that they should not be able to do...
I thank you for your response. I asked on this group because I wanted honest experienced advice instead of trusting all the other questionable pages that don't really address everything. Not proper to assume others intentions. I was hoping to get sound advice as im a first time camper owner and will check out of the group due to not wanting to deal with rude inconsiderate people.
AZDIESELPIG
Glamper Elite
First, I have been towing trailers for over 20 years, both as a CDL driver and recreationally. I am not being rude, if you find honest feedback that you don't want to hear as rude....that's on you. If you expected all comments to be full of rainbows and pixie dust then you really don't want honest feedback.
There are a lot of people towing RVs on the road with vehicles that have no business towing that trailer. They are playing the odds that nothing happens, tire blow outs, trailer sway and heavy winds pushing their rigs around on the road, tow rig brakes capable of slowing the trailer (even with trailer brakes).
What you should do is consider a half ton pick up to tow that trailer...if you want to do it right.
You haven't even considered what hitch to tow with, is it a weight distribution hitch...do they make a good hitch for that van for this application?
You certainly have not considered DRY weight vs loaded weight of the trailer or payload capacity of the van in concert with your trailer weight.
You are on the edge of every limitation for that vehicle.
Hopefully you will have successful short trips and not get you and your family stranded hundreds of miles from home(or worse) because you found honest feed back and things you may not have considered to be rude.
Good luck.
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gunafulltime
Senior Member
@BatDad74,
You've been given the correct information for your question. I will concede, however, that the tone of this thread is not the "JOF way."
Read past the "passion" in the posts and apply or don't apply the solid information that's been provided. We all hope you will use a proper TV for your TT (not your minivan). Some of us are passionate about this topic because way too many people are either ignorant or arrogant about TV capabilities and towing safety. It is very irritating and concerning for many of us.
You've been given the correct information for your question. I will concede, however, that the tone of this thread is not the "JOF way."
Read past the "passion" in the posts and apply or don't apply the solid information that's been provided. We all hope you will use a proper TV for your TT (not your minivan). Some of us are passionate about this topic because way too many people are either ignorant or arrogant about TV capabilities and towing safety. It is very irritating and concerning for many of us.
Old and soft
Senior Member
Whats the cargo carrying capacity of your van?
I am just assuming a trailer tongue of 500#. Hitch and a sway control (wouldn't try it without) minimum 30#. Kids, cargo, dog, it all adds up fast.
See kansas in your profile. I see lots of deformed trees from the "slight breeze" present on the plains. Does the wind ever cause you to give steering input to counteract the slight breeze? Do tractor trailers push you away or pull you closer? These things will only be magnified by a travel trailer.
Another opinion you probably won't like. Your vehicle is better suited to tow a popup versus a travel trailor.
I am just assuming a trailer tongue of 500#. Hitch and a sway control (wouldn't try it without) minimum 30#. Kids, cargo, dog, it all adds up fast.
See kansas in your profile. I see lots of deformed trees from the "slight breeze" present on the plains. Does the wind ever cause you to give steering input to counteract the slight breeze? Do tractor trailers push you away or pull you closer? These things will only be magnified by a travel trailer.
Another opinion you probably won't like. Your vehicle is better suited to tow a popup versus a travel trailor.
Camper_bob
Senior Member
"Tone" is awful difficult to determine in text. I see only one person who may be construed to be "rude" with one off-handed comment.
Everyone else has simply stated their opinion on why you should not tow that trailer with that vehicle, and sometimes even specifically why.
You're free to do what you feel like you need to do, but ignore at your own peril the bulk of the advice you've been given here and all the information and knowledge contained in this forum...
I wish you the best of luck and safe travels!
gunafulltime
Senior Member
Not really. It can be, but that's not always true. The whole thread is not in a negative tone, but some of it clearly is. Your comments and word choice were highly constructive. I should have said that some of the contributions to the thread carry a less constructive tone and word choice than the others.
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AZDIESELPIG
Glamper Elite
Guess I am just off handed 
I have definitely been called worse.
I have definitely been called worse.
Jayhawk 29
roadway boater
Oh the age old question can I tow a certain sized rv with a current vehicle that's close to the capacity rating of the tow vehicle. Is that what you are asking ? First off both units have a lot of age on it. So the condition of both is important, and cannot be discounted as one main thought when hitting the road. Low mileage for the year really means nothing when asking people from afar that knows nothing about the conditions of the two units or the driver. The original one line post leaves the discussion wide open to a lot of opinions from experienced folks. Front wheel drive vehicles are not really known for towing a lot of weight behind it.
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Hollander Mutthaulers
Senior Member
Towed my light little rig with a Trailblazer for several years until the Chevy gave up 120 miles E/O Albuquerque. Fortunately Santa Rosa has a great campground, Albuquerque is a prime area for used cars, and Quality gave me an honest deal on a Tahoe. After being stranded in the high dessert for a week, it's a huge relief to tow with this big comfortable rig. Into headwinds in Nebraska, above 11,000 feet in Colorado, keeping it in check going down west side of 14A in Wyoming, it's a pleasure.
Someone once wrote on this forum that you can never have too big of a tow vehicle. That's a wise opinion. You find out by doing and you learn from experience.
Whatever, your choice, I hope it works well for you and that you find pleasure, comfort, and lots of good adventures with your trailer.
Someone once wrote on this forum that you can never have too big of a tow vehicle. That's a wise opinion. You find out by doing and you learn from experience.
Whatever, your choice, I hope it works well for you and that you find pleasure, comfort, and lots of good adventures with your trailer.
saunterr44
Advanced Member
The internet is like a box of chocolates, you're never sure of what you will get. In this forum, you'll get lots of people who know things, and a few that really don't.
It's not easy to sift through it all, but turning tail and running off like an offended teenager isn't likely to help you solve your problems, BatDad74.
As an aside, go buy a real truck if you want to pull that RV 'well'.
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