Promaster 3500

While I know little about a Promaster 3500, I see a large vehicle, with a 280 hp V6. It should have plenty of payload, but the power train would not be my choice for pulling up, or down mt passes, even with the 6-speed. Maybe someone more familiar with that van will know more.

Jerry

I'd want to get an accurate weight on the trailer, then make a decision. Towing at or near capacity isn't much fun, especially in the mountains.

I think you'll be fine on main highways. Secondary roads might not work. At all. Pulling that much combined weight with the front wheels is asking a lot when roads are wet. I've seen Promasters not towing, get stuck on mild inclines in wet weather.

carringb wrote:
I think you'll be fine on main highways. Secondary roads might not work. At all. Pulling that much combined weight with the front wheels is asking a lot when roads are wet. I've seen Promasters not towing, get stuck on mild inclines in wet weather.

I wouldn't argue with your traction comments when towing, but it seems counterintuitive about getting stuck in wet weather non-towing. In fact, they should have a significant advantage there over the rear drive vans with very little weight over the axle when running solo.

That said, for towing, the Promaster would be my last choice if I were looking at vans.

If you already have the van, I'm not sure what you have to lose by trying it and seeing how it works. The V6 has more HP, and competitive torque vs the "old vans", but not really competitive with what is out there now.

Bionic Man wrote:
it seems counterintuitive about getting stuck in wet weather non-towing. In fact, they should have a significant advantage there over the rear drive vans with very little weight over the axle when running solo.

Vans aren't pickups though. They have a good weight bias when empty (especially with today's lightweight powertrains), but even a mild camper build, or a little cargo, will shift the weight bias to the rear. So with the ProMaster, it'll have better than other when empty, but that advantage goes away once its loaded.

Large, heavy, high profile tow vehicle with the power of a base model midsize suv = major struggle in the mountains. At least the van will allow for a more streamlined towing of the trailer than a pickup, aerodynamically.
Will it tow safely? Yes, but you'll likely be in the right lane with your 4 ways on up every pass.
However, it's not much different than towing it with say, a 20-25 year old small block pickup which has been don a million times.
What you give up in a little bit of torque, you probably make up in gears.