Towing with Express 3500 15 pass
Hi everyone. We have been looking for a new tow vehicle. With 4 young kids we were looking at a suburban 2500 but recently drove a 15 passenger express 3500 and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was ...
Forum Discussion
A van would have been first choice to tow with with my family of 6. BUT, alas, I had a crew cab pickup....I could use it at work, the van not so well. Hence decision. BUT Ex had a smaller Astro van we used to get the family around otherwise. Luved the thing. Boyz in back seat, Girlz in front seat, space between them to set books, toyz etc. More head room too.
Only real issue with a van, and that is aftermarket fixable, is 4wd. Nice since we spent more time in the RV trailer from December to April using it as a ski hut at local ski area's for the weekend. $wd was nice on the bad road days, even if I had to legally speaking, chain up. Chains on rear axle, front axel also driving, made for better handling going up, and less issues with the front tires locking up even tho I had 4wabs.
If you mostly summer camp, or way off road, a G80 optioned GM van would work well for most trailers, as long as you remember that you may need in reality, a 3500 van from a payload need standpoint, not a 2500. My family was in the 1200-1300 lb range when I had 4 adult size teens, add in HW in the 700-1400 lbs range depending upon trailer size, a few other odds and ends in the van, you need 2500-3000 lbs of payload! many 25's in passenger config do not have that unless a 35 series is ordered.
Marty
Only real issue with a van, and that is aftermarket fixable, is 4wd. Nice since we spent more time in the RV trailer from December to April using it as a ski hut at local ski area's for the weekend. $wd was nice on the bad road days, even if I had to legally speaking, chain up. Chains on rear axle, front axel also driving, made for better handling going up, and less issues with the front tires locking up even tho I had 4wabs.
If you mostly summer camp, or way off road, a G80 optioned GM van would work well for most trailers, as long as you remember that you may need in reality, a 3500 van from a payload need standpoint, not a 2500. My family was in the 1200-1300 lb range when I had 4 adult size teens, add in HW in the 700-1400 lbs range depending upon trailer size, a few other odds and ends in the van, you need 2500-3000 lbs of payload! many 25's in passenger config do not have that unless a 35 series is ordered.
Marty
