Consider a Van as a Tow Vehicle

[Hittenstiehl]

Would like to start a discussion on the possibility of Vans as tow vehicles. Would like to consider all makes, models and looks.

Would like to use this as an educational thread for us, for forum members who are considering a van, for people who have already used a van or maybe currently towing with a van.

In our case we would tow a 62 Ambassador and a 61 Globetrotter. We would occasionally go off road as in forest roads, not off road as in 4 wheeling. Would use it for hauling "stuff" or maybe outfit it for an ocassionall overnight. A lottery daydream would be a Airstream Grand Tour pulling a Airstream but that will never be in our budget. But we have to eventually replace our Chevy 1500 250,000. mile pick up and we would like a van to be part of the options.

Would like to learn more about unibody, long wheel base versus short, cargo loads, V8 -V10, transmission coolers etc.

Yes we have read the very educational ExploreMore and the various E350 and new Nissan threads. Just didn't want to hijack their threads to much.

Thanks for participating.

[mandolindave]

Because I switched to vans from pickup trucks before I bought a trailer. I needed it for work, because I needed to keep my cargo warm, I can get around easier in the back of my van than I could in the back of my pickup, and I liked vans for camping.

I like the van for towing because I have tons of room to store gear without loading up my trailer. I also use the van as a spare room for the kids and I still use the van for quick, down and dirty camping or for when I camp way off the road on rougher terrain.

Not sure but I think my van has a longer wheel base than my short bed pickup had. (also the longer Pickups seemed like they might be harder to park in the city)

[Hittenstiehl]

Thanks Mandolin appreciate the input from a Chevy Van driver.

[Isuzusweet]

This is just completely left field........If I were to consider towing a vintage trailer with a van I would look at the Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 or even the new Ford Transit (especially if they make an AWD version).

I would have the van customized to have a full bathroom with shower in the back, with a day bed up top. This way I don't need a bathroom in the trailer which reduces weight and gray/black tank overload (especially on vintage trailers). You could keep a porta-potti in the trailer for night use but think of all the extra space taking out a bathroom gives you in a vintage trailer.

The other up side having a bathroom in the back of the van is it travels with you even if the trailer doesn't, also giving you access to the head while moving for your passengers (if you need to use the head, just put the van in cruise).

Like I said, left field; but I'm known for thinking outside the box.

Cheers
Tony

[Hittenstiehl]

Isuzu, love that train of thought not to out of the box at all.

Those are some of the things were thinking about. Nice ideas.

Probably want to keep a toidy bowl in the trailer too so we don't to leave the trailer, especially at night.

[ijustlee]

If I could own only one vehicle it would be a van! I never take the shell off my pickup like I thought I would anyway because it's eaisier to hook up the utility trailer than wrestle with the shell. The GM brand long wheelbase vans have the rear axle farther back than Ford or Dodge so I would lean towards a Chevy or GMC and avoid an extended body van. The closer the ball to the rear axle the better! A van with a locking differential makes a very good camping vehicle by itself, and would be my preferred TV by a long shot. I don't know why you don't see more people towing with a van.

[Hittenstiehl]

Ijustlee thank you for your input.

[Miko38]

I tow a 1989 Avion 30TP with a 2008 3500 GMC Savanna van with a 6.0l engine. I used to tow with a Ford Excursion with a V10. The van has the advantage of being able to put my bikes inside and just about anything else. It's a twelve passenger van and we take the back seats and the first row of seats out. So we are still able to seat 5. The vans been a good tow vehicle with the exception of the brakes. When they heat up going down hill I get a lot of shaking in the front end. Hopefully I'll find a solution to the problem. It has no braking problems on flat ground so I'm just very careful when driving in the hills. It gets better gas mileage then the Excursion (9 mpg towing, 11 to 12 not towing). We normally get about 10 to 11 towing (55 to 60mph) and 14 to 16 not towing. The van also has a great ride weather towing or not towing.

Mike

[Harpo]

I am now towing my 25' EB with 2016 3.2 L diesel Ford Transit van. I traded in my f-250 6.5L diesel truck for the van. It was not by choice but for necessity. My wife became very ill and it required a vehicle that was wheelchair accessible. I also needed a van that could pull our trailer since I knew this would be our home away from home while staying at various health facilities.
I really liked our truck and was very concerned about replacing it with the van and using it as our day to day plus tow vehicle. I must say I have been pleasantly surprised at how well the van operates in both capacities. Granted I do not have the power that I had with the truck but so far it seems to be more than adequate plus the handling and the ride seems just as good. What I am really pleased and surprised about is the better mileage and the greater versatility the van gives me.
Unfortunately I lost my beloved wife recently. I could if I wanted to get another truck but I like the van so much I don't think I will. In fact now that there is just me I think I will sell my EB and buy the new basecamp. We bought the EB to haul our kayaks, bikes and other type of outdoor gear. With the van I can do this as well as make into a separate traveling bedroom if need be. Oh one other thing I have gotten with the van is lot of attention. More people approach me about the van now than the trailer.


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[Isuzusweet]

@Harpo

Many prayers for your loss.

I hope your Airstreaming days together brought her much joy and am very glad you're considering continuing them. I wish you the very best.

Cheers
Tony

[Harpo]

Thank you for the condolences. Our camping days together are some of the most cherished times I have and will always have. To go it alone seems formidable but getting into nature through travel and adventure again I believe will only help with the tremendous loss I feel.


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[ahillring]

We love the E150...for the same reason...plenty of room for our bikes & other cargo. 8-cylinder 5.4L with tow package. Towing a 20-foot Bambi with ease.

[ahillring]

Sorry...previous photo didn't show the van...here's one.

[nevans]

We tow our 34' with a GMC 3500 equipped with a Duramax 6.6l diesel. The van lacks refinement but has the towing and passenger capacities we want. I do wish there was an awd version without an expensive after market conversion.

Neil

[Hittenstiehl]

Mike thank you for your feedback on the van. We like that you can still seat 5 and store bikes inside. Being a passenger van does yours have windows all around. If so do you cover the windows or does it have a decent tint.

[ezairstream]

I have towed a Classic 30 with an Ford E350 diesel for 10 years.

I especially like the the storage room with the seats removed. When you close and lock the doors it provides much more security from theft.

With the side slider door and back doors every thing can reached easily.

This diesel option is over now for a new vehicle. Chevrolet GM produced their last diesel Express van in model year 2016. Only gasoline models are available for 2017.

Ford made their last one ton diesel passenger vans several years ago when they went to the Transit vans and Dodge quit earlier.

Clyde

[Hittenstiehl]

EZAirstream thanks for chiming in. Thanks for the information about the diesel, we were not aware of that.

We also would enjoy the ease of getting at everything with the van doors. Currently we have a pickup up bed with tonneau cover but sometimes that could be easier. That's not a reason to switch to a van from our pick up but as we said the pickup rolled 250,000. on the last trip and will likely get replaced in the next year's.

[Hittenstiehl]

A Hillring and Harpo thanks for adding. It seems there are quite a few of you with vans.

Harpo we see that you are going to stay with your van as it performing well for you and your gear (sorry your going at it alone but lots of credit for going back to it and the memories get to go with you) Hill thanks for the picture it looks great.

[explore more]

I love my van. I'll always be a van guy. My 4x4 e350 7.3L is a beast. There are other rigs that will tow faster, but you can't deny the storage capacity.

I'm considering selling my van for a new transit, but there are concerns:

- limited tow rating
- low tongue weight max. They can't take over 750 lbs
- 4x4 options take 6-8 months and cost $12k!

But we may go that route, which would require a big downsize of my trailer.

[explore more]

Originally Posted by Harpo

I am now towing my 25' EB with 2016 3.2 L diesel Ford Transit van.

So sorry for your loss, and so glad you can remember her fondly.

I've been looking for someone who tows an A.S. with a transit. I hope you don't mind me.bombarding you with questions.

What's the tongue weight on your AS? What's the wet weight of your trailer loaded up and ready to go? Are you using a wd hitch?

Which wheelbase/top size did you go with? What's your tow rating?

I've done an absurd amount of research on this topic, but you're the first I've met who's towed an airstream. Thanks for your info.