As for the comment about the front wheel drive...Yes watch out for the steep ramps (may need someone to sit on the hood). Also watch out for wet sand ramps.
Towing with mini-vans
I'm using a 98 Windstar with a dealer installed Tranny cooler. Tows the 162 Princecraft with ease. Hardly even know it is there (even when its being used as an expensive utility trailer when camping).
As for the comment about the front wheel drive...Yes watch out for the steep ramps (may need someone to sit on the hood). Also watch out for wet sand ramps.
As for the comment about the front wheel drive...Yes watch out for the steep ramps (may need someone to sit on the hood). Also watch out for wet sand ramps.
My 2 cents,
I had a voyager that I used to tow my 16ft Alum bowrider. The towing was not too bad with the 6, I fitted the tranny cooler as well. It was a windy day on the ottawa, blowing to shore, and the boat would not come off the trailer and I lost traction on the front - basically I was stuck. Fortunately for me a guy with a jeep and chains was right there and he pulled me out. So the towing is okay but front wheel drive is a problem.
I had a voyager that I used to tow my 16ft Alum bowrider. The towing was not too bad with the 6, I fitted the tranny cooler as well. It was a windy day on the ottawa, blowing to shore, and the boat would not come off the trailer and I lost traction on the front - basically I was stuck. Fortunately for me a guy with a jeep and chains was right there and he pulled me out. So the towing is okay but front wheel drive is a problem.
I just traded my windstar 1999 for ford escape 2004 the windstar pulled my bass tracker 17. 2 with no problem but the van is lower you sometimes have the backend in the water some ramps you have problems with almost stuck on a few of them with the SUV no problems at all and to back the boat up the escape is dream miss the space in a van good luck Tracker (steve Kelly)
Steve
I pull with a Kia Sedona. Comes standard with 3500 pounds towing capacity, transmission cooler and over sized cv joints.
A lot of companies will charge $2000 - $3000 extra fot the tow kit.
It has amazing power, so you will not hesitate to pass a car while towing. I came from a 1996 Windstar (a bad year). A world of a difference.
I pull with a Kia Sedona. Comes standard with 3500 pounds towing capacity, transmission cooler and over sized cv joints.
A lot of companies will charge $2000 - $3000 extra fot the tow kit.
It has amazing power, so you will not hesitate to pass a car while towing. I came from a 1996 Windstar (a bad year). A world of a difference.
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Caseys Dream
- Bronze Participant
- Posts: 263
- Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2004 9:13 pm
- Location: London
I have a Pontiac Montana, trailer package which includes beefed up cooling system, tranny cooler and load leveller. It has a towing cap of 3500 lbs. 6 cyl, 3400.
Here is the funny part, I pull a 23' cuddy cabin on a tandem trailer, boat alone dry, no gas weighs 3700lbs, add a 50 gallons gas in the 65 gallon tank, plus the tandem trailer, I am over 5000 lbs. I pull this on the 401 at 110km/hr!
3rd gear, never in OD. I cahnge tranny fluid annually with synthetic. Pulls out a ramp OK, won't do gravel at all, and has a hard time on rutted pavement on the ramp, but smooth pavement even wet is no problem.
But, she ain't no truck, hates hills, but holy cow, it is sooo overloaded that its funny.
CD
Here is the funny part, I pull a 23' cuddy cabin on a tandem trailer, boat alone dry, no gas weighs 3700lbs, add a 50 gallons gas in the 65 gallon tank, plus the tandem trailer, I am over 5000 lbs. I pull this on the 401 at 110km/hr!
3rd gear, never in OD. I cahnge tranny fluid annually with synthetic. Pulls out a ramp OK, won't do gravel at all, and has a hard time on rutted pavement on the ramp, but smooth pavement even wet is no problem.
But, she ain't no truck, hates hills, but holy cow, it is sooo overloaded that its funny.
CD
You're an accident waiting to happen! -
Caseys Dream
- Bronze Participant
- Posts: 263
- Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2004 9:13 pm
- Location: London
nah, I am pretty careful, the trailer has brakes. It was the question, bigger boat or bigger vehicle, took the latter.
Load leveller really does a good job keeping the van stable and the drive wheels on the road, hitch stabilizes the whole package. If you would see me on the road, you'd never guess it was so overloaded, but give me a wide berth just in case!!!
CD
Load leveller really does a good job keeping the van stable and the drive wheels on the road, hitch stabilizes the whole package. If you would see me on the road, you'd never guess it was so overloaded, but give me a wide berth just in case!!!
CD