RE: What would you do?

[Welshie]

 
I guess I need some help deciding what to do.  I just purchased a Jayco 12UDST that weighs from the factory 2275 lbs, plus the propane tank, battery, and awning.  My total weight when the trailer is loaded has to be 2800 lbs or less.  I currently have a Windstar Van that can tow 3500 lbs.  I will be using the van and trailer to go to dog shows.  Most of the time I will be driving on flat areas but occasionaly I will travel through Pennsylvania and some mountains there.  I have removed all of the rear seats from my van (220 lbs).  I take three dogs that weigh about 40 lbs and their cages that weigh 25 each.  Then I have to add some equipment and clothes and food.  I figure I will still be below the 3500 lbs  and maybe around 3200 lbs or a bit less loaded.   I am at the point where I will have to add extra equipment to the van (WDH, class III hitch, electric brake controller), that totals around 500.00 before I can take it on the road.  I will probably only take the trailer with this van 4 or 5 times a year.  Any other trips will be done with an F150.  Would it be worth it for me to get a full size van?  I cannot use an SUV because they have less cargo area for cages.   I also cannot use the F150 because the dogs would have to ride in the cap and it gets too hot in the summer and I do not feel they are as safe back there.  Would towing with the Windstar be unsafe?  I really like the van but do not want to do anything stupid.  I could probably almost make an even trade for a used full size van but the large van will use more gas and be a bummer in the snow.  On the good side I will have LOTS of extra room.    I will not know how well my van can pull the trailer until after I spend the 500.00 on the hitch equipment.  I did tow it once at the dealers but there were no hills and no trucks passing me.  It seemed to tow it fine.  What are your thoughts?
 
 
 
 

[mike4947]

 Welshie
Tie, I think you ll find with your Jayco you ll have little need for sway control and if it didn t have a lot of sag when you made that test tow you won t need a WDH. Jayco s are really steady an unless you REALLY load it tail heavy they just don t sway.
 
 As for weights and towing. Take your VIN number to a dealer and get the spec s on your Windstar including gross combined vehicle weight limit. (total weight of TV + PU + everything else being carried) Then get weights on the Windstar & trailer in traveling mode and see where you are. You can check in the yellow pages for ublic scales in your area.

[wssfetch]

 Welshie
Sandy,
 
 You might consider getting an Astro or Safari instead of a full-sized van.  I love mine and will continue driving them as long as they make them.  They are considered an intermediate sized van and with the straight sides like the full-sized versions you can get a lot more stuff in but they have a better turning radius and better mpg than the big ones.  Mine is rated to tow 5500.

[Welshie]

 Welshie
Still waiting for a few more replies!

[birol]

 Welshie
I would get an Astro or Safari, you are too close to your limits ..... If money is no objection, switch ... If it is, It is a tough call ....
 
 For safety (75% rule), you should not tow more than 2,625 pounds with a Windstar, assuming you carry nothing in windstar but just yourself.
 
 
 Lets say taking the seats (I know how heavy they are ! ) allows you to carry the dos with no penalty .....So we do not deduct anything from that 3,500 yet ....
 
 If you keep the PU at 2,600 Lbs you will be pretty safe to do it with the windstar. Any more, or any additional load in the minivan and you would be pushing it. Your safety, dogs safety and others on the road.
 
 Please keep in mind that I ddi not add the weigh of hitch, WDH and sway bar weight. Your PU will probably weigh close to 2,600 LBs when you add the battery, your camping gear and the propane cylinders. It is probably tempting to load up with stuff when you have the space to carry more stuff, but weight should always be a concern to you.
 
 You do not have capacity to carry a lot of weight, you should weight the PU and the windstar the way you will travel and see where you stand regarding weight.
 
 If I made any mistakes, some body will come along and correct me, if not just take what I said with a grain of salt, do not go on the optimistic side of what I said. Some of us do not eblieve the 75& rule, they have their points too; not that I agree. But that is what makes this baord a great place ! Information is abundant !
 
 Does the pu have brakes ? Get electric brakes, Windstar s brakes are nothign spectacular, you will have brake problems quickly. Additional transmission cooler a must, and yeah, don t expect to break any speed records
 
 Disclaimer : I never towed anything ...... Never camped .....(Never camped will change in 4 days !!!!!)

[ForestCreature]

 Welshie
I would think hard about going into a full sized van. I am going to guess the mileage will not be a whole lot different, maybe even better towing (with a small .
 Towing we average 17mpg with ours.   Go for the Non Converted van such as the Club Wagon for more cargo space.

[jstaddwtr]

 Welshie
For what it is worth, we absolutely love our van.  We agree with Marcy.  Our E-150 Traveler is no longer made under that name but is now called the Chateau...but you can get it with all the options the Traveler had.  
 
 If you get an E-150 it can come with the towing package that will include the transmission cooler and extra capacity radiator.  This would also include the hitch and seven pin hook up....so all you have to do is install your brake, if you require one.  Even with that, the dealer gave us the hook up that connected to the brake and plugged right into the OEM wiring harness.
 
 The advantage is the carrying room, loading capacity, if you like a truck...When you think of it, it is no different in size than a full size pick-up.  We had a 250 Ram Van for 10 years and it was great, but not as good as our Ford.  
 
 Our towing capacity is 6500lbs.  The only difference in the cusom vans and ours is the body configuration.  Ford sells the vehicle and a body customizer provides the seats, windows, and all the extras.  Ford makes a few 7 passenger (4 captain chair, one bench vehicles under the Chateau model.  The only difference with our Traveler is the TV s and video screens, steps and other xtras all come from the factory and are covered under the Ford warranty versus seperate warrantys provided by the custom builders.  Either way, they make a great tow vehicle.  
 
 Here is a link a couple on E-bay.  They are very rare.  
 
 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2419304769&category=6224
 
 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2420146328&category=6224
 
 Of course we are biased.  We love our Van![][][]  Good luck in anything you choose.  Vehicles are such a personal choice.  You will find one you will like.[]