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Ro646a's avatar
Ro646a
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2015

36' gasser towing a 4600 pound mini van

Has anyone towed a 4600 pound mini van through mountains with a 36' class A gasser with the 310 HP Ford V10? We towed our Chevy Tracker over all kinds of mountains with our former 35' gasser, but I'm afraid towing the van might be a little too much. I sold my diesel pusher and my Tracker, thinking I was done with RVing, but I got the bug again when I came across a beautiful low mileage 2003 Southwind with the 310 HP Ford V10 and I bought it.

I would like to tow my van, but I'm afraid it might be too heavy.

Any advice would be welcomed.
Class A

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  • imgoin4it's avatar
    imgoin4it
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2015
    I towed a jeep liberty for about 12 years, most of the time with Gas coaches. Think it weighed 4200 to 4400 pounds and never had a problem. Now- a van has lots of cargo and storage space. Don't load it up or you may have a problem.
  • Ro646a's avatar
    Ro646a
    Explorer II
    Aug 04, 2015
    Thank you all for the advice. I'm going to go ahead and set my van up for towing..Best regards to all
  • 427435's avatar
    427435
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2015
    Check my signature. The Explorer weighs about 5000 lbs. It followed us up some 10,000 ft. passes without problems.
  • tropical36's avatar
    tropical36
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2015
    Ro646a wrote:
    Has anyone towed a 4600 pound mini van through mountains with a 36' class A gasser with the 310 HP Ford V10? We towed our Chevy Tracker over all kinds of mountains with our former 35' gasser, but I'm afraid towing the van might be a little too much. I sold my diesel pusher and my Tracker, thinking I was done with RVing, but I got the bug again when I came across a beautiful low mileage 2003 Southwind with the 310 HP Ford V10 and I bought it.

    I would like to tow my van, but I'm afraid it might be too heavy.

    Any advice would be welcomed.

    What is your actual traveling weight subtracted from the GCWR?
    This is the max number according to specs. and as long as you're equipped with a 5K lb hitch receiver.
    Certainly shouldn't be a problem with the Ford and even if 10% over, the tranny temp. would most likely be the problem if any, on long 6% grades. This is usually the weak point, but even at that, being patient and pulling in low gear at 25mph will increase it's capacity by about 25%.
    Keep in mind, this isn't an all day affair and only with intermittent encounters.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Aug 04, 2015
    Coming from Europe, I have seen 60HP sedans pulling 25' or 8m Travel Trailers in high Alps.
    It is not the equipment problem, but mentality problem.
    Don't expect to fly over the mountains at 70mph and observe overheating with manual downshifting when necessary.

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