Need help!-Towing capacity

[TheViking]

Back to my original post on being a Buzzkill...Seriously, it's unanimous that you will have too much PU for your van and could create a strain on the TV as well as a danger to yourself and your family.  I wanted a pop-up with a slide out dinette so bad when I saw them.  But since my TV at the time would only tow 3600#'s, not only did I know deep down I could not pull it but the salesman at the dealer I went to told me he would not sell me a PU he knew I could not tow.
That is a whole other thing, if your dealer(if your buying from one) is selling you a PU that he KNOWS is a danger to pull with your TV what does that say about him and his company. If I had my PU for sale and a family came to purchase it driving a TV that I know would put them in harms way I would not sell it to them.

[gonecamping]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts.  When in doubt, err to the side of safety so even though its hurting my wallet, we are breaking out further for a legitimate TV.

[TheViking]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts.  When in doubt, err to the side of safety so even though its hurting my wallet, we are breaking out further for a legitimate TV.

I think that is a smart move (applause)

[Kelly]

I think that is a smart move (applause)

What TheViking said ...

although he really is a buzzkill, isn't he?        :p :J

[TheViking]

What TheViking said ...

although he really is a buzzkill, isn't he?        :p :J

Hey... Easy

[hoppy]

Smart decission..... or opt for a smaller model PU.

 You won't be sorry either way.

[tlhdoc]

I think you made the right decision.

[gonecamping]

Its funny because I remember when I was young, we had a PU and then a trailer and my father would haul these with and old jalopy station wagon with no sway bars or WDH or anything.  I know that nowadays these campers have more weight as they are more sophisticated but I guess I was thinking of the old days.  The Viking is certainly a buzzkill but he sounds like he knows what hes talking about and if it wasn't so unanimous, I may try using the Windstar but I won't.  Any ideas for a TV that would be good for a family of 5 that still would be useful for carpooling multiple kids to sporting events but still be good for towing would be helpful.  Money is a big factor.  I don't want to get rid of my 2003 Windstar and get a 2000 TV and pay more.  The Explorers seem to be reasonable especially with the 3rd seat in the back.  Thanks once again.

[Kelly]

Don't know anything about towing with an Exploder cuz mine just wasn't equipped to do that (manual transmission, 4wd and a few other options made it a less-than-ideal tow vehicle) ... but I do know I loved it for hauling kids!

It was a great vehicle for me for day-to-day driving and I think there are more than a few Explorer drivers around here that will tell you it's a fine tow vehicle.  I didn't have the third seat ~ hence a new-to-me van when the kids outnumbered available seats!  LOL

As far as safe towing ~ it's a whole different world from our parent's, eh?  I remember going on camping trips with my family.  We'd put the tent and other gear in the boat and hitch that to the pickup.  The back of the truck (under the topper) was full of food, sleeping bags and 4 kids!  Can't see that happening today.  

Glad you recognize that we're not out to kill your fun, but to make sure you get there safely ...

You might want to start a new thread to talk about possible Tow Vehicles ... [/FONT]

[6Quigs]

WOW, I had typed out a reply, but then noticed you had posted earlier so I am editing this.
You say your windstar is rated to tow 3,500lbs yet it does not have the tow package?? This is conflicting information.
The Windstar with the 3.8 engine without a tow package is only rated to tow 2,000 lbs.
The tow package does add numerous things, offhand I think it is a larger battery, larger generator, a transmission cooler, larger crankshaft... I'm sure there is more..

The listed weight of 2,600 lbs for the Bayside, is a stripped down unit, with no battery, propane, awning, empty hot water heater, ect. Tyen when you add in all the stuff you need to pack inside, sheets, pillows. pots pans, plates, clothes, hoses, chocks, chairs, food, drinks, toys, it will add up.
When I was emptying my Coleman Niagara to leave it in to the dealer for some service work, and I weighed everything, it totaled 700 lbs of stuff we would bring along.

I would highlt recommend looking at tow vwhicles with a rating of 5,000 lbs inorder to SAFELY tow a 2000 Bayside.

[TheViking]

If the truth was known the weight they put out as "Towing Capacity" is probably way less than the vehicle is capable of.  Case in point: I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1/2 ton pickup with a 3.9L V6. By 1/2 ton, they are saying I can carry 1000 lbs of stuff in the back of my truck.  I have loaded 2150 lbs of dirt in the back and yes it did squat quite a bit but it still performed.  So, I think if your weight is at your TV's maximum you will still be alright with the right equipment like brake controllers, sway bars, and a WDH.  I'm not saying to go out and buy a camper that is too big for your TV,  just thowing an opinion in the ring.   Just like another post in here, my Dad towed some pretty big things back in the day with his truck too and it did fine. I think people these days are just more cautious or nervous these days.  How many of you wore helmets while riding bikes when you were a kid?  Now it's a law!  I don't think we turned out too bad even after a couple of bike crashes(except maybe a few of us and you know who you are).

[geraldgrogan]

I am also a new Jayco trailer owner, as I purchased a 2006 model 1006 just this past August 1st, 2005.

I have been on four camping trips where we towed this trailer with my Jeep Cherokee (downsize model).  The trany does get a bit warm and the shimmy and shake of the trailer is a bit annoying, even on the short 2-3 hour trips we took last summer.

The best details I could find indicate that my 4WD Jeep Cherokee has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs.  However, Since my Jeep does not have the towing package installed (nor a trany cooler), does that mean that it would be rated lower than this?

I found out recently that in addition to my 3 year old daughter we may be having triplets arriving this next summer.  The immediate question comes up, what mini-van can I get that will hold my new family while I tow the 2900 lb trailer (empty weight)?

Others have suggested a Chevy Venture or something like that.  What do you think?

[wavery]

I am also a new Jayco trailer owner, as I purchased a 2006 model 1006 just this past August 1st, 2005.

I have been on four camping trips where we towed this trailer with my Jeep Cherokee (downsize model).  The trany does get a bit warm and the shimmy and shake of the trailer is a bit annoying, even on the short 2-3 hour trips we took last summer.

The best details I could find indicate that my 4WD Jeep Cherokee has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs.  However, Since my Jeep does not have the towing package installed (nor a trany cooler), does that mean that it would be rated lower than this?

I found out recently that in addition to my 3 year old daughter we may be having triplets arriving this next summer.  The immediate question comes up, what mini-van can I get that will hold my new family while I tow the 2900 lb trailer (empty weight)?

Others have suggested a Chevy Venture or something like that.  What do you think?

I think the Chevy Astro-Van is the one that people have been talking about on here. I have actually been looking for one myself. My main reason for wanting the Astro-Van is so that we can take the grand kids with us, without having to take a separate vehicle. I could also use one for my work.

I am currently towing my PU with my 2001 Chrysler Concorde 4dr sedan. It does a good job and I have absolutely no problem towing my 2700# PU with it (although I DO NOT recommend it to others). I can't even tell that it's back there until I start up a grade. That little 2.7L V6 has to work pretty hard on a long grade but I've never had engine or trans heating problems (I installed a trans cooler and trans temp gage). Braking is not a problem as the trailer has brakes. I've even tried to overheat the TV brakes and they won't. I have done some extensive brake modifications.

As for your Jeep Cherokee, it is extremely easy to add a trans cooler to most vehicles and you can buy a good one for around $40-$75 (bigger is always better). My big question would be, does your engine overheat while climbing hills? If the engine temp remains normal, chances are the trans will be OK. Your existing trans cooler is inside of the engines radiator. If the trans is overheating, it will normally show up as a higher temp on your engine temp gage. Although I would still recommend a trans cooler and changing your trans fluid every 25K miles. There is now a "Lifetime" synthetic trans fluid out for Chrysler products. It's called ATF 4. I HIGHLY recommend it for your Jeep (I'm pretty sure that you have a Mopar trans). It has far superior heat dissipating properties and it also increases your clutch pack efficiency (especially when towing).

If the trailer has a shimmy and shake, I doubt a different TV will help that. You may want to find out why it is shimmy & shaking. You may have too low tongue weight, too high tongue height, a bent wheel (fairly common on trailers), a broken spring or an alignment problem.

--------------------Astro-Van----------------
http://research.cars.com/go/crp/reviews.jsp?makeid=9&modelid=74&year=2002&myid=&acode=&revid=46533&crpPage=summary.jsp&revlogtype=21&aff=national
The Astro uses a 4.3-liter V-6 engine that produces 190 horsepower. The four-speed-automatic transmission incorporates a Tow/Haul mode that alters shift patterns when transporting heavy loads. A RWD passenger model can tow up to 5,400 pounds, while the Cargo Van is capable of pulling 5,800 pounds. AWD Astros offer towing capacities that are 200 pounds lower. RWD passenger Astros have a 1,648-pound payload rating, vs. 1,527 pounds for AWD models.

[copcarguy]

Hey all!

Instead of guessing your towing capacity, why not know?  Just click on Trailer Life Magazines TV guide at http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=42175 or better yet, look in your owners manual?

[wavery]

Hey all!

Instead of guessing your towing capacity, why not know?  Just click on Trailer Life Magazines TV guide at http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=42175 or better yet, look in your owners manual?

HMMMM! His Cherokee is a '96. That search only goes back to '99.

He can search here but he has to click on his particular model vehicle.
http://research.cars.com/go/crp/features.jsp?year=1996&makeid=23&modelid=244&myid=2289&defaultSelection=true&logtype=7&aff=national

I think that he may be surprised to find out that his 4 wheel drive vehicle has a substantially lower towing capacity.

For instance the 4x4 2dr SE is:
Max trailer weight   1,000 lbs.