Pick Up towing a Van

mowermech wrote:
When towing a vehicle, the towed should not weigh more than the tower.
What are the weights of the two vehicles?
Based on an experience my son had, I would not do what you are describing!

This may be true in some cases, but not necessarily in all cases. We have a 2010 Ford Expedition that weighs in at 6,100 lbs. It has a towing capacity of 9,200 lbs. We regularly to a 2 axle trailer with loads varying from 3,000 lbs. to 9,000 lbs. without any problems. The only caveat is the trailer must be equipped with it's own brakes. In our case both axles have 12" Dexter electric brakes.

Reddog1 wrote:

navegator wrote:
The State of California does not require a brake system on a towed vehicle as in cars, SUV's, small trucks only on trailers over 1500 pounds, the CHP uses a performance criteria if involved in an accident they add the weight of the towed vehicle to the vehicle towing if combined weights are more than the CCC of the towing vehicle you are in trouble, on the other hand if the towed vehicle has a brake system they consider it a a trailer.

This information comes from the California Highway Patrol as told to me by several Officers that I asked over several years.

navegator

I think this is only part true. Calif does require towed vehicle brakes is you can stop a certain distance from a specified speed. A breakaway brake is required on all towed vehicles as I recall.

Lots of info here.

The link does not work....

Thank You all forthis information, It's very helpful and I really appreciate you taking your time to help. Safety is my main concern, I certainly don't want to ba a hazzard on the road and I'm in no hurry to get where I am going. I have a week yet before leaving
, I'll post here from the east coast to update

navegator wrote:
The State of California does not require a brake system on a towed vehicle as in cars, SUV's, small trucks only on trailers over 1500 pounds, the CHP uses a performance criteria if involved in an accident they add the weight of the towed vehicle to the vehicle towing if combined weights are more than the CCC of the towing vehicle you are in trouble, on the other hand if the towed vehicle has a brake system they consider it a a trailer.

This information comes from the California Highway Patrol as told to me by several Officers that I asked over several years.

navegator

I think this is only part true. Calif does require towed vehicle brakes is you can stop a certain distance from a specified speed. A breakaway brake is required on all towed vehicles as I recall.

Lots of info here.

Have you considered paying a company to drive or trailer the van to where you want it?

If you are going to be buying extra equipment, disassembling things, etc. it might be worth it.

The State of California does not require a brake system on a towed vehicle as in cars, SUV's, small trucks only on trailers over 1500 pounds, the CHP uses a performance criteria if involved in an accident they add the weight of the towed vehicle to the vehicle towing if combined weights are more than the CCC of the towing vehicle you are in trouble, on the other hand if the towed vehicle has a brake system they consider it a a trailer.

This information comes from the California Highway Patrol as told to me by several Officers that I asked over several years.

navegator

Do not drive faster than 55 miles per hour, if the van starts swaying and you are going faster you will not be able to slow down while trying to control the vehicles, the faster you go the longer it is to slow down to a controllable situation.

navegator

"Check the states you will be traveling through, many require a braking system on anything over 2000lbs.

Yes, definitely check the laws in the states you will be traveling through. If for no other reason, because the above statement just is not true!
DO NOT, however, put any trust in any so-called "List Of Towing laws" on the internet. I have looked at a lot of them, and I have yet to see one that I would rely on to be accurate!
For example, many such lists say that Montana has "No law regarding" braking on a towed vehicle. Actually, Montana Code Annotated is quite specific; a towed vehicle does not meet the legal definition of a "trailer" (MCA 61-1-101), so trailer braking laws do not apply. However, ANY combination of vehicles must be able to stop within 40 feet from 20 MPH on a level, clean, hard, dry surface (MCA 61-9-312).

There is really more to it than just having the front vehicle weighing more than the rear one.

Have you thought about being able to stop in a sudden situation. Remember that the towing

capacities of vehicles doesn't mean that is what they will be able to stop without auxiliary braking.

Check the states you will be traveling through, many require a braking system on anything over

2000lbs.

Thank you all very much for your input, I really appreciate it ! I have considered the weights and the truck will be loaded heavier than the van. I know to cover the transmission as well . Thanks !