v7,
I use 40# bags of water softner salt. Last year I had 6 bags in the van and this year I ended up with 10. I put two each under the first two bench seats and the othe 6 bags went in the back.
The 2500 series van is a 3/4 ton and a 3500 series van is a 1 ton. There is about 1000# of payload difference between the two, with the 1 ton being greater at around 3400#.
When I was shopping two years ago there were few vans with a hitch/receiver on them already. I bought a hitch that allows 1000# of tongue weight, and 1500# when using a weight distribution hitch. It bolted right up with no drilling required. I then had my local RV dealer wire up my brake controller.
As long as you stay within the tow ratings of the van, the 3.42 is fine. It tows our travel trailer great and cruises along fine in 5th gear. It easily out tows the 2004 3/4 ton Suburban we had, and it had the 3.73 axle.
The GM 6.0L is a gas engine and the current diesel is the 6.6L Duramax.
