Need help!-Towing capacity

[gonecamping]

We finally are breaking out and buying a Pop-up and want to make sure we have adequate towing ability.  We are looking at a Coleman Bayside so its a pretty big unit and have a 3.8L Ford Windstar.  Will this vehicle be adequate enough to tow this.  Any replies would be helpful.  Thank you in advance.

[Fuzzymike]

Consult your owners manual.  Should tell you the tow rating of that van with that engine.  I think you tow rating is not more than 3500 lbs with the 3.8 L.

So you will have to research how much the bayside weighs.  Consider also People, cargo, and other thing add weight and play a big part.

[chasd60]

Not sure how well the Windstar will handle that big of a camper. It may do fine and I'm sure others will chime in.
 
 
I do have a TV for sale with a 7500lb tow rating on this thread if you are interested, I'll even leave the brake controller installed.
http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=53836

[TheViking]

Not to be a buzzkill here but, A windstar is rated for 3500#'s.  I'm not a Coleman owner but I'm sure a Bayside has to weigh in at around 3200#'s. Given that, if you load equipment, bodies, etc., that will put you well over the weight and in an unsafe situation.  For that PU I would not tow it with anything less than a TV that could tow  5200#'s. Remember, you have to include everything in the GVWR. The weight of people in the TV, camping gear, coolers, etc. Plus, as a safety factor you should have about  10% less weight than your maximum.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Maybe if you can find a 2001 Dodge truck for sale somewhere, it would tow easy.    LOL Chas

[gonecamping]

It says the GVWR is 5540#'s for the Ford Windstar.  Its hard to distinguish what that # means.  Is this the tow weight allowed and does this mean I'm okay with the Bayside?  Thanks again for all of your quick replys.  The weight of the Bayside is 3250#'s.  Also I am getting a sway bar put on along with the hitch.

[Kelly]

It says the GVWR is 5540#'s for the Ford Windstar.  Its hard to distinguish what that # means.  Is this the tow weight allowed and does this mean I'm okay with the Bayside?  Thanks again for all of your quick replys.  The weight of the Bayside is 3250#'s.  Also I am getting a sway bar put on along with the hitch.

I'm sure others will chime in ~ as I am definitely no expert on the subject ...

Without knowing what year or options you have on that Windstar ... I'm only guessing.  I would assume that the 5540 is a combined weight (CGVWR) ~ the weight of the van and ALL the stuff in it PLUS the weight of the trailer and ALL the stuff in it shouldn't exceed that number.  Near as I can tell the curb weight of your van is about 1600 lbs.  Add in a couple people and some supplies and you'll be pushing 2000 lbs.

That Bayside is one HEAVY trailer.  I'm assuming 3250 is the unloaded weight.  I camp very simply and take little gear with me ~ but I still have about 300 lbs of stuff that goes in the trailer.   That would put you at about 3550 ... add that to your TV weight ... you're over your limit.

That would be cutting it way too close in my book.  I have an Astro van that's rated to tow a lot more than that and I simply won't do it.  I wouldn't feel comfortable and I would be constantly worried about the safety of my family.  

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong in the information I've included here.

[TheViking]

I have to agree with Kelly. I have a 2001 Dodge Ram pickup with a 3.9L V-6 that has a tow rating of 3600 pounds.  It makes no sense that a Windstar would have a rating of 5500 pounds.  I think you are right on with CGVWR.
**Also, make SURE you have an electric brake controller installed before you tow it anywhere. It's one thing to tow it, it's completly another thing to stop it.

I've found some info and a link to the full page.  This should shed some light on it.  

Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 6 Base Engine Size: 3.8 liters
Base Engine Type: V6 -1 Horsepower: 200 hp
Max Horsepower: 4900 rpm Torque: 240 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 3600 rpm Maximum Payload: 1831 lbs.
Maximum Towing Capacity: 3500 lbs. Drive Type: FWD
Turning Circle: 39.3 ft.


http://www.allautoreviews.com/auto_reviews/ford/ford-windstar.htm

[OC Campers]

I am not an expert either but my personal feeling is the Bayside may be a little too much trailer for your Windstar.  Most of the mini vans out there can only tow a max of 3,500 lbs.  If your Bayside comes in at 3250 that doesn't leave much weight for additional people and cargo.  Even if you apck light you may be pushing it.  You will also most likely need a weight distribution hitch along with your sway bar.  Usually you need one if towing more than 2000 lbs.  

If you are going to be towing on level ground and not going thru the mountains you may be alright for a while but I would be really stressed out towing that much weight.  We have a 2003 Odyssey and when our Astro (old tow vehicle) died we had to go out and buy another tow vehicle.  I know deep down that my Honda is no match for our big Westlake (which is pretty similar in weight to the Bayside.)
 
If you decide to go through with the purchase you will want to make sure you have a tranny cooler put on your van, and double check your owners manual about the weight distribution hitch.  
 
Best of luck with your purchase.  Owning a popup is a wonderful experience but with your family in the car it also needs to be a safe experience.
 
Jacqui

[MtnCamper]

Mini Van + Bayside = Problems ($$$)

I'd look at a smaller trailer or a real truck. maybe a used one, just for camping??

But I wouldn't pull with a minivan, at least not a Bayside.

[mike4947]

Let's see, first the 2005 Bayside is rated at 3770 pounds maximum gross weight and usually comes off the dealer's lot at around 3000 pounds without any of your "stuff" added in.

Second, if your Windstar didn't come with a towing package it's towing limit without MAJOR upgrades is 2000 pounds.
 
Even if the van has the towing package that 3500 pound limit also includes everything in the van except the driver. That means passengers, cargo, fuel, dogs, etc all have to be subtracted from the 3500 pounds before figuring the maximum trailer weight.
Can you tow a Bayside with a Windstar, sure. Should you do it, JMHO, but NO.

[hoppy]

Methinks that you are looking at too much PU for that Windstar.

 I own a Mesa that weighs in at around around 3,300 # loaded, (A/C, furnace, WH, 3-way fridge, front storage with camping supplies, twin propane bottles, etc) and my 200 HP Silverado just handles all that weight. My Silverado is rated to  6,200 #. Once you get into the  mountains, I think you will be passed by people on bicycles.

[tlhdoc]

I had a 1999 Windstar with the towing package.  It was rated to tow 3500 pounds.  I have a PU with a 10 foot box, maxed out it weighs 3000 pounds.  I felt that I was  at the maximum capacity of the Windstar when I towed the PU.  I really, REALLY loved the Windstar, but moved on to an Explorer for the towing capacity.  After towing with the Explorer I would not want to go back to towing my PU with a mini-van.

[gonecamping]

I've done some research since yesterday and have found out that the 2000 Bayside weighs 2608 lbs with a rating of 3250lbs.  This means that we have roughly 600 lbs of extras and cargo that can be loaded in the PU. This model doesn't have AC or heat so that helps.  My Windstar is a 2003 with a 3.8L rated at 3500 lbs towing capacity so as long as we don't go over the 3250, we should be in decent shape.  We do not have the tow package on our van but was told that installing the electric brakes and sway bar is essentially what the tow package is.  I have 3 little ones and don't want to put any of them in harms way but also don't want to over react.  Thanks for all the replies.  We have already put a down payment on it and am getting very concerned.  Any additional comments or knowledge would help.  Thanks again.

[MtnCamper]

If you really must tow with that combo, at least get a Tranny cooler, If you have one get a bigger one. And add a temp gage for the transmission, so you know what's going on there. Not a light an actual gage.

[mike4947]

Unfortunately you were told wrong about the trailer towing package. The windstar is a special case in that a lot of the package comes in the upgrade to the SEL model which in later years is the only model to get the towing package.
The SEL comes with larger halfshafts, extra cooling for both IIRC the trans and the engine, etc.
Plus that 3500 pound rating includes all the family, and loading you put in the van. A couple of people other than the driver, a full tank of gas and even the receiver hitch all come off the 3500 pound rating.