drsolo wrote:
travelnutz wrote:
Your 1992 2500 GMC van most likely has the 5.7 liter V8 and it has plenty of power to pull double the weight of your Wildwood trailer. A slim possibility your van has a smaller size V8 because few of them were ever sold in the 2500 model and usually only in the short wheel bsase version. The unknown is what rear end ratio your van has as that will make a huge difference in pulling ability. Most had the 342 or the 373 ratio as OEM. Yours, being a camper van conversion and the long body version, most likely has a 5.7 V8 with either the 342 or 373. You'd know if you purchased the van new but if bought used, who knows what may have been changed since new. The other power robber is an mostly plugged catalytic converter as your van is now 24 years old. OR the engine cylinders/rings are worn and losing compression.
We had a Chevy 2500 Deluxe Starcraft Van Conversion and had no problem pulling a 30' Nomad Century trailer loaded with options and full water plus all our food and stuff which is more than double your trailer's weight and it had the same front shape as yours which is far from aerodynamic in shape/wind bucking. I could pull the trailer at 70 anytime except up hills or long steep grades.
Have your van's engine checked and the catalytic converter also as it should pull your Wildwood at even 70 mph easily without flooring the go pedal. Something isn't right with your van and will need to be fixed anyway so you'll be paying double plus in the long run by having your Wildwood delivered since the van needs to be taken care of also.
However, remember that your trailer tires have a max speed of 65 mph even if they are 225/75/15 "D" range tires (8 ply rating and 65 psi max inflation) and less than 65 mph if they are smaller tires than those with 50 psi max.
My van is 1992 GMC G2500 vandura V-8 350 ci 4,482 lbs 3/4 ton van, max towing capacity of 6600lbs. I think it is 17' long. It was originally owned by a couple owned a garage, even stored indoors and used for camping themselves couldnt anymore due to poor health so they sold it. On my last trip to Florida I used 1 quart of oil. I have always been careful having checkups twice a year and right before trips. Now the last time I was in Florida my muffler went and I had a guy make a new one "on the spot" and he said the catalytic was in bad shape, did I need it to pass inspections and I told him I didnt anymore. Nobody has said anything about the catalytic converter since then. I use the van during the year around town, but I am retired so dont put much mileage on it. It now has 139k miles. The mechanics say it is in great shape. When we went over the mountains west 2 summers ago pulling the teardrop I did need to downshift to 2nd to get up and down some of those steeper grades. I only carry 4 gallons of water in the van, the trailer is empty. My van tires are new this year, the trailer tires are new and ST 205/75/R15. In any case I like to cruise at 60 mph which seems most comfortable speed for me and best gas mileage.
We went to the closest truck scales to get the van and trailer weighed and weighed both together. I know I should have separated the two, but it was cold, the scales were icy and I was slipping just getting onto the scales. I am not sure how this breaks down into van and trailer. Van is 4482, trailer is 3995 according to specs.
steer axle 2740
drive axle 4140
trailer axle 4100
total 10980
You are grossly UNDERESTIMATING the weight of the VAN AND the trailer.
With the weights posted above, your VAN weight with the tongue weight is 6880 lbs..
I suspect your van weighs considerably MORE than 4482 lbs since I doubt your tongue is 2398 lbs!
Conversion vans are notorious for having very low towing/cargo weights due to the conversion process ADDING a lot of weight to the van (added weight to the van takes away your available cargo weight and your tongue IS considered cargo of the van)..
10,980 lbs combination PLUS less aerodynamics of a bigger trailer is most likely the problem.. I would suspect that is a bit to high of a weight for your van/engine/gear ratio..
To get back to your original question of haulers, YES there ARE HAULERS who will hitch up your trailer to their vehicle and tow it places for you. BUT, it does not come cheap to do so.
Contact your local RV dealer and ask if they can get you a list of haulers that may help you.
BUT, personally.. SELL the trailer where it is and BUY ONE IN FLORIDA..
The cost to haul one to Florida is going to be pretty expensive and I am sure you could easily find some used trailers already in Florida at a reasonable cost.
