tow vehicle

[station71]

Hi Everyone

I wish to buy a vehicle to tow my 2005 fleetwood valor. I have a Ford Escape but I think the trans is about to go so there goes that plan. I don't want a big truck in fact we like a van/minivan. What would you seasoned folks recommend for a TV. I been thinking about the Astro but some other sites state the Astro has many problems. Then there's the hot topic of the front wheel drive minivan. Its enough to make you pull your hair out. Whta's a good van type vehicle thats good in gas (if there is such a thing). The trailer weighs 2200lbs dry so about 3000lbs when stocked then about 3-400lbs of occupants

any advice would be greatly appreciated

Cheers
Al

[fritz_monroe]

I see that SBurris28127 uses a Jeep Liberty to tow their Valor.  I've got a Liberty as well, but haven't towed yet, so don't know how it will perform.  It's rated at 5000#, but as many will point out, that's a theoretical weight rating.  I've also seen many people mention they tow with Toyota Sienna minivans.

[wynot]

Hi Everyone
 
I wish to buy a vehicle to tow my 2005 fleetwood valor. I have a Ford Escape but I think the trans is about to go so there goes that plan. I don't want a big truck in fact we like a van/minivan. What would you seasoned folks recommend for a TV. I been thinking about the Astro but some other sites state the Astro has many problems. Then there's the hot topic of the front wheel drive minivan. Its enough to make you pull your hair out. Whta's a good van type vehicle thats good in gas (if there is such a thing). The trailer weighs 2200lbs dry so about 3000lbs when stocked then about 3-400lbs of occupants
 
any advice would be greatly appreciated
 
Cheers
Al

Astros and Safaris are generally respected as tow vehicles.  But they are not too good on gas - compared to other minivans (FWD).  Although I like GM products, I never got excited by these two, in my opinion, they're pretty cramped.
 
We towed with both of our Windstars, no problems.  In fact, the one got better fuel mileage towing than not towing.  That said, I would not tow with a minivan again.  Our Tahoe gets better fuel economy than the last Windstar ever did, and there are no compromises on towing, comfort, acceleration, or braking.
 
In general, most minivans' towing capacities are figured with one 150 lb driver in them.  Add people, and the towing capacity goes down by that amount.  I know at least some of the Japanese vehicles compute towing capacity in addition to a fully loaded vehicle - but I don't know which ones.
 
Other folks will bring up the 75% rule, etc..  Asking about tow vehicles becomes somewhat of a religious war...we all have our favorites.

[Kelly]

Astros and Safaris are generally respected as tow vehicles.  But they are not too good on gas - compared to other minivans (FWD).  Although I like GM products, I never got excited by these two, in my opinion, they're pretty cramped.
*****
...we all have our favorites.

Yep.  We all have our favorites and mine is my Astro van!  LOL

I towed with a Suburban before the van and I'd take the Astro any day.  I've only towed one season with it, but it was a dream.  I also took the van out to Montana in 2004 ~ we were gone for 12 days and took some camping gear and tent-camped near Glacier.  I have 4 kids and I could pack the van in such a way that everyone had enough space and I could still see out the back window.  

I wanted a pretty good cushion between the weight of the trailer and the weight rating of the TV when  I went looking for a new TV.  I didn't feel like most minivans gave me that.  I also didn't want to tow with a front wheel drive ~ personal preference ~ and prefered AWD for MN winters.  The tow rating on my Astro is 4700 lbs ~ AWD and 3.42:1 axle ratio ~ plenty of wiggle room for a PU that weighs in at about 2200 lbs fully loaded.

As for gas mileage ~ I average about 17 mpg.  I don't drive many highway miles on a regular basis.  It goes up to 19 or 20 on the highway.  I drop to about 16 when towing.

Every vehicle has its problems ... I make sure I keep mine well maintained and I haven't had any problems that I wouldn't consider normal wear and tear.   I plan on driving this one into the ground!  Seems like with Astro/Safaris ~ you either love 'em or you hate 'em!  I definitely love mine!

But ~ we all have our favorites.  

[flyfisherman]

Al - I've driven a pick-up for many years, just don't act right driving anything else! What I presently have is a full sized GMC Sierra - what I can tell you is that over the years pick-ups have become more and more comfortable, stylish and user friendly. I know you said you were not interested in a big truck, but have you considered the newer mid-sized, 4-door crew cab types now on the market? For example, my neighbor just got a new Chevy Colorado crew cab, powered by GM's newer inline 5 cyl engine. He uses it for towing either a large boat or a small 18' TT,  and says it gets the job done. And, when he's not towing (which is 95% of the time), it delivers some pretty good gas mileage, as go pick-up trucks. Also, I have to say it delivers a comfortable ride.

Just a thought!


Fly

[tlhdoc]

I towed a 3000 pound PU with a Ford Windstar minivan.  It did an OK job (the Explorer does a great job).  As long as you don't over load a minivan and you realize that you are not going to have limitations then get the TV that you like.  I am assuming you will not be towing most of the time with the new TV you purchase.  Check the vehicle out and make sure it has a towing package if one is available.  Make sure you can use a weight distributing hitch with the van, in case you need one.

[PITPOP27]

I've owned 2 minivans - but didn't tow with them and don't think it would have been great with either one - however - our first was an Oddessey, not the new body style but the old with only 4 cylinder  :yikes:  - and the next was a Mazda MPV, enough horse power - but the van was only 4 years old, resale was grotesque, and was completely falling apart ALREADY, inside and out, what I'd like to call a desposible van.

We now own a 2005 Ford F150 Triton 4 x 2 Supercrew, and a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.  The Sport trac is actually more comfortable than the large truck.  And the comfort is in the bucket seats in front!  It came with GREAT immenities,
all rubber flooring (so great for beach days with kayaks and kids!),
white dash consul (don't ask... hubby loves)
rear air and heat great for coming from cold places and cranking it up~,
back seat can control radio, if hands are full up front,
rear window goes down or slightly cracks for air
Rack on top for kayaks, bikes, etc.
tow ball,
toneau cover for bed, which locks and flips forward or back - for easy access, bedliner,
bed hooks on side of truck for strapping,
extend-a-bed for objects longer than the bed (I even fit a full size picnic bench I found on the side of the road in the bed )

Overall a great recreation vehicle.

Our full size truck has kid ammenties (but I'm much more hard on them eating in there, staying on the rubbber mats etc) We've got the headrest TV's with DVD player and hookup for the XBox installed great investment for quite driving with 3 kids in rear, the boys playing Xbox and DD watching a movie at the same time.  We've got a fully lined bed with ample room for carrying and a great place to dry a wet dog from the beach, we purchased a locking Tanneau from a friend who can buy wholesale, we got new rims and tires as the 05 came out with the lamest pressed aluminum rims - really a laughable thing for Ford to do....updated our grill as well..It comes stock with a locking tail gate - very important in CA. as they are stolen all the time.  GREAT back seat room, for full size adults, and when you tow you need to stay aware that you're towing because you can't even feel it back there!

The babies:
Not a great picture of the sport trac:

The F150

[gravy]

We pull our Evolution with a GMC Canyon crewcab which is the same as the Colorado.We haven't experienced any problems yet,but we haven't been in any mountains either.Other than looking like an ant pulling a grasshopper,we are pleased with it and as stated it is a comfortable ride.