Does my van look fat in these jeans?

Thank you, MEX :). I did have a trans cooler put in this summer (a big one) but I didn't know about the hose.

JaxDad wrote:
.. pull a small encoded trailer.

What's an encoded trailer?...oh, enclosed. :)

TRANSMISSION COOLER!!!

Any van working in mountainous country with a GVW overload MUST have a transmission cooler. Not optional. About a fifteenth the price of rebuilding the transmission.

You do not need a big cooler. But use WEATHERHEAD brand hose not the crrap that comes with the kit. Have them shove enough hose up the chopped off transmission lines to DOUBLE CLAMP each hose end, everything is available at a genuine auto parts store such as a NAPA.

No idea where you live but if you start ascending steep grades in 90+F weather, your trip may well turn into a trail of tears. A transmission cooler also tames borderline radiator overheating.

And tell the idiots that install the cooler to space the cooler at least 1/2" away from the radiator core tubes. There MUST be a space between the two or you chop the cooler's airflow PLUS the radiator cooling capacity. Weatherhead hose is worth the money. The hose that comes with the kit is garbage.

Thanks, everyone :).

Ooooh, landyacht, good question. Looking it up, I am 35lbs per tire overweight on my rear tires. Plus these are the tires that I drove 1500 miles with them overinflated, 75psi when max should have been 50. I only have about 4000 miles on these tires, BFG TA/KO, but I guess I have been mean to them.

The brakes are new, and stop on a dime. Both rows of back seats are already out.

Should I worry about the tires?

I think you'll find that's the reason so many people with small touring vans pull a small encoded trailer. I would guess it buys you a bunch more free space in the van too.

Question---have you removed the 3rd row seats? If not, that would fix the over weight.

Since you have some load assist springs and are likely not wallowing around with your headlamps pointed at the tree tops, my next concern would be the brakes, then the tires. What is the maximum load rating on the tires?

Have you tried a near Panic stop in a safe area?

I finally got products which gave me complete confidence in my Brakes. Brembo rotors, Hawk HPS pads, and keep the rear drums properly adjusted.

I do not know how close I am to GVWR, one day I will get it on a scale.

I think your safe,, i dont think a bent axle is your future

other might have the other opinion