Travel Trailer Towing Recommendations

Dadoffourgirls wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
...5. A van is the best option for Hauling the booger eaters and still being able to tow albeit with an inferior drivetrain compared to about any other option. But sucks for everything else.
And who the F wants to drive a short bus around town and to the grocery store and park it in the winter because traction sux? Vans are for people with too many kids and/or not enough money...

I would not say that the Express has inferior drivetrain. The 6.6 or 6.0 gas engine with 6 sp transmission and 3.42 is not inferior. I personally appreciate the 3.42 for the balance of fuel economy and capability.

Driving it around town is not much different than an HD crew cab. Way easier to load things into, like the slushie machine we take camping (or deliver for party rentals). Easy to get PVC pipe or 12 ft boards. A couple bags of salt in the back, good snow rated tires, and no issues in the winter.

Of course, Grit will never see the advantages.

Sorry, good for plumbers and small time construction guys as well.
I fully understand the "advantages" of a van.
And by inferior, I didn't mean incapable. Just inferior. Any number of 1/2 tons will outpull the best (the only) drivetrain option available. Step up a notch to a big pickup and it's not even a fair fight.

Aside from being able to haul ALL the grandkids at the same time, I cannot think of another "advantage" a HD van would have for a retired couple that lives in the snow belt who are apparently looking for a very expensive luxury SUV.
Have friends with a big van. They also have like 6 or 9 kids...I lose track. The ONLY time I see him in it, is if there are more @sses going for a ride than there are seats available in their car or suv.

Economical? From a cost benefit ratio as a tow rig, yup, I see it. Lightly used vans are considerably less than a lightly used crew cab base model gasser truck with a similar drivetrain (minus the 4wd, some of us go places that snow tires and a posi rear end won't cut it, 4wd vans are otherworldly expensive, comparatively). No cheaper way to safely haul people, gear and tow a small to moderate size trailer all at the same time.
Recommending a van for these folks is like recommending a diesel dually. Kinda silly, in different ways...