still confused about GCVW & towing
OK......brain fade is setting in here along with the fog & decreasing temps.... I used to think I understood this subject, but hope someone can clarify a couple simple questions: 1) Have a B+ Tr...
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J-D took time to explain it well. I hope you understand you will be fine with the Van GVWR. The fully loaded dually van can carry 12,000 + (what is on the door sticker) and you will only have about 10,000 pounds on those 6 tires, you will be fine.
However the engine, transmission durability and other things like driveshafts also take into consideration the GCVWR, that is higher than the 12,000 door sticker. It also takes into consideration if you have a 4.10:1 rear axle ratio or 3.73:1 ratio, that the lower number means the engine will turn slower for a given road speed, get better mileage, but have less horsepower at that lower engine speed, so the GCVWR is also reduced a small amount.
So my guess is the GCVWR is something like 15,500 pounds. Because your van is not loaded totally to the limit (a very good thing) you can tow about 5,000 pounds safely if you have the right hitch.
If GM had put the larger 8.1L engine into that size van, the GCVWR would be in the 19,000 pound range, like the pickups. However cooling issues limit the van GCVWR to much lower than the pickups for a given drivetrain and rear axle ratio.
For the Ford 460" equipped van chassis, after 1994, the GCVWR was around 22,000 pounds in the class C and 26,000 pounds in a class A like I have. However Fleetwood limits my towing to just 3,500 pounds due to the hitch being mounted to a frame extension that Fleetwood installed before building my RV. The class A has a much larger radiator, transmission cooler, and factory installed oil cooler (on the coolant line) to give it more cooling ability than the van based motorhomes.
You should have no problems towing the Jeep, provided it has brakes. Like you stated, most states require them over 1,500 pounds towed load, and most have break a way requirement to apply the brakes full force if the line between towed vehicle and tow vehicle is separated.
However the engine, transmission durability and other things like driveshafts also take into consideration the GCVWR, that is higher than the 12,000 door sticker. It also takes into consideration if you have a 4.10:1 rear axle ratio or 3.73:1 ratio, that the lower number means the engine will turn slower for a given road speed, get better mileage, but have less horsepower at that lower engine speed, so the GCVWR is also reduced a small amount.
So my guess is the GCVWR is something like 15,500 pounds. Because your van is not loaded totally to the limit (a very good thing) you can tow about 5,000 pounds safely if you have the right hitch.
If GM had put the larger 8.1L engine into that size van, the GCVWR would be in the 19,000 pound range, like the pickups. However cooling issues limit the van GCVWR to much lower than the pickups for a given drivetrain and rear axle ratio.
For the Ford 460" equipped van chassis, after 1994, the GCVWR was around 22,000 pounds in the class C and 26,000 pounds in a class A like I have. However Fleetwood limits my towing to just 3,500 pounds due to the hitch being mounted to a frame extension that Fleetwood installed before building my RV. The class A has a much larger radiator, transmission cooler, and factory installed oil cooler (on the coolant line) to give it more cooling ability than the van based motorhomes.
You should have no problems towing the Jeep, provided it has brakes. Like you stated, most states require them over 1,500 pounds towed load, and most have break a way requirement to apply the brakes full force if the line between towed vehicle and tow vehicle is separated.
