PU and towing vehicle capabilities

[Frio Freaks]

We bought a 2005 Fleetwood Colonial and are pulling it with a 2002 Chevy Venture.  We live in Corpus Christi and drove to San Antonio to get it.  The van used 1/2 a tank to get to SA from CC and it took us about 2 hours.  To go from SA to CC pulling the trailer we used 3/4 tank of gas and it took about 2 1/2 hours.  The van ran a little hotter than it usually does.  Usually it runs between the two lines before the half way mark on the temperature gauge.  While pulling the trailer it ran between the half way mark and the two lines after.  It pulled fine and we didn't have any problems and with some good grades to go up.

So my question is this:  should our vehicle run a little hotter than usual while pulling the trailer?  It's back to normal when not pulling the trailer of course - so this leads me to believe that it's normal or we need to do something to the van.  We're not currently in the market for a larger vehicle but may be after the Holidays.  Any suggestions on what would be the best vehicle to tow this size camper without going into a suburban or vehicle of similar size?

Thanks.

[Frio Freaks]

We bought a 2005 Fleetwood Colonial and are pulling it with a 2002 Chevy Venture.  We live in Corpus Christi and drove to San Antonio to get it.  The van used 1/2 a tank to get to SA from CC and it took us about 2 hours.  To go from SA to CC pulling the trailer we used 3/4 tank of gas and it took about 2 1/2 hours.  The van ran a little hotter than it usually does.  Usually it runs between the two lines before the half way mark on the temperature gauge.  While pulling the trailer it ran between the half way mark and the two lines after.  It pulled fine and we didn't have any problems and with some good grades to go up.

So my question is this:  should our vehicle run a little hotter than usual while pulling the trailer?  It's back to normal when not pulling the trailer of course - so this leads me to believe that it's normal or we need to do something to the van.  We're not currently in the market for a larger vehicle but may be after the Holidays.  Any suggestions on what would be the best vehicle to tow this size camper without going into a suburban or vehicle of similar size?

Thanks.

We also bucked a pretty good wind on this trip - as the van doesn't usually use quite that much to get to SA.

[tlhdoc]

Does the van have an auxiliary transmission cooler on it?  They are a must have item when towing.   My Explorer has a tranny cooler and an oil cooler on it.

[PLJ]

We pull a Cheyenne with a 2000 chevy venture extended. We added the auxillary cooler and tow in 3rd gear. Seems to run fine with this setup.

[Frio Freaks]

Does the van have an auxiliary transmission cooler on it?  They are a must have item when towing.   My Explorer has a tranny cooler and an oil cooler on it.

Unless it came with it - I really don't know but I don't remember anything like that being on it.

Thanks.

[Frio Freaks]

We pull a Cheyenne with a 2000 chevy venture extended. We added the auxillary cooler and tow in 3rd gear. Seems to run fine with this setup.

Thanks.

Our Venture is the Extended as well.  Is 3rd gear considered overdrive and if so is it OK to tow in OD?

[flamedpop]

I'm guessing the venture has the 3.4L V6 in it which puts out 185 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque with a 3500 pound towing capacity. This seems like it would be more than enough to pull the Colonial at just over 2000 pounds down the road. A transmission cooler is always a good idea if it is in the budget, but not a necessity. If the gear selector has a button to push on the end of it on the 2002 Venture use that while towing a trailer. If you get up into the Hill Country watch out for the transmission to be "looking" for a gear and use 3rd gear. Otherwise in flatter areas you should be OK.

[flamedpop]

My pu has a "window unit" cut into the back of it which works well, but if you want better circulation I really like the way brainpause did his setup.

[PLJ]

I'm not sure about overdrive, but its what my dealer told me to use when towing. I beleive it also says to use 3rd gear in the owners manual.

Definately get the cooler added. We got it added at the local UHaul.