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campersmd's avatar
campersmd
Explorer
Jun 18, 2014

Conversion Van as a TV

Hello everyone. I am a long-time lurker and this is my first post. I have learned a lot from the differing opinions in this forum and have been reading Trailer Life on and off since I could read. We have owned a few pop-ups that we towed with a conversion van, which is our preferred TV. We do prefer a wide safety margin. We anticipate towing a much larger TT in retirement, which brings me to the question...

What is the realistic max tow capacity for a conversion van?

If possible I would get the 3500 chassis, with the appropriate axle and only have two power seats inside with just the normal amount of plastic and cloth covering rest the interior. Would that be able to tow 10,000 lbs?

The trailer we prefer is 7,000 lbs dry and claims a 4,000 lbs load capacity, which I cannot imagine ever using.

Thoughts?

19 Replies

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  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2014
    1-ton vans make for great RV tow vehicles. The conversions add a fair amount of weight, but a 1-ton should have plenty for a 10k trailer.

    Ford V10
    GM 6.0L/6-spd or diesel
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2014
    JJBIRISH wrote:
    I have always used them, love them, tried a Excursion V10 for a season then decided to reactivated the tried and true…

    You might look into the Halfback Conversion utility van like I have…







    http://halfbackvans.com/


    gosh, looks familiar, I have one just like it. didn't know they still made them.
    bumpy
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Jun 18, 2014
    Here is what I was towing with. it was a 250 Dodge conv. van which was really a 1/2 ton chassis, but had a decent amount of CCC which is why it had the 250 designation. had the 5.9L and 3.90 gears. towed our 6500lb 28ft TT with ease. my van had the normal conv. interior, 4 cloth captains chairs and the sleeper sofa in the back with all the windows. no TV, no hightop, no leather, no extras. very simple and actually weighed less than the factory passenger vans. I forgot the CCC, but for a 1/2 ton was pretty good. I want to say it was around 2000lbs!



    BTW, good luck in finding a 3/4-1 ton conv. van! I am always looking for one and can never seem to find them. most conv. vans were built on the 1/2 ton chassis. good luck in your search.
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2014
    Yup. Get a Ford E350 with the V10 and 4.10 gears and you'll be good to go. The Chevy Express diesel would do it too, but it'll be slower since the DuraVans are detuned.

    The Chevy 6.0 only has a 16,000# GCWR, so a bare cargo van will tow 10,000 but not a conversion van, since that'll usually add 1-2,000 pounds.
  • hmknightnc's avatar
    hmknightnc
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2014
    To tow 10,000# you would need a van with a load capacity of around 1,200# plus whatever else you will be carrying around in the van. You'll have to look at the conversion van specs to make the determination but I would guess a 3500 model would likely do it but a 2500 model probably not.
  • JJBIRISH's avatar
    JJBIRISH
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2014
    I have always used them, love them, tried a Excursion V10 for a season then decided to reactivated the tried and true…

    You might look into the Halfback Conversion utility van like I have…







    http://halfbackvans.com/
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Jun 18, 2014
    Look for a Chevy Express or a ford E350 with a V10....

    Outfitted however you would like.
  • poppin_fresh's avatar
    poppin_fresh
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2014
    I dont think anyone here can answer your question. You would need to know from the conversion van manufacturer what their vehicle has for capacity after all the "conversion" work is done.

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