Must-haves for Van or SUV as tow vehicle?
Thanks to all of your excellent advice, I have decided to find either a full size van or SUV to pull a travel trailer (I am thinking around 20’) for my cross country trip this summer, primarily becaus...
Forum Discussion
There are a lot of rental returns out there.
Ford has not made the E350 since 2914. Chevrolet still makes the 3500 Express short and long wheel base. One thing to be careful when looking at Ford and Chevy vans is rear axle placement. The Ford axle is quite a bit farther forward than the Chevy. Too much van body hanging out behind the rear axle on the Ford. MUCH less stable, one of the reasons Ford quite making them was all the lawsuits from crash's. Too many schools (the vans are rated at 12 or 15 passenger so the driver does not need a CDL to drive them) having rollover accidents with them.
I have had 4 3500 Express's pulling campers and trailers and have had good luck. The 6.0 with a 6 speed transmission is a good combo. When not towing I get 16-17 mpg and when towing (my camper weighs in at about 11,500 Lbs. and is 38ft long) I average 9.5 mpg.
Some of the rental places use these vans and get ride of them at about 20,000 miles. I just got a 2019 long wheel base with 21,500 miles well loaded for $23,600.00. Bought from a Chevy dealer, still has warranty until 36000 miles.
I install my own hitch, brake and light wiring and brake controller. I add a heavy gauge, fused wire from the battery, run to the trailer plug to charge the battery's better.
Many places will mount the hitch and wiring so no big deal. Hard to find a van with trailer option on it.
I like the long wheel base because I take 2-4 grand kids, two big dogs, all the bikes and other stuff with me so we like the space. Unlike a pick-up my stuff is inside of of the weather and locked up. I take out the last two seats for more cargo room.
For what you want to use it for a short wheel base with the two rear seats out will give you LOTS of room.
Ford has not made the E350 since 2914. Chevrolet still makes the 3500 Express short and long wheel base. One thing to be careful when looking at Ford and Chevy vans is rear axle placement. The Ford axle is quite a bit farther forward than the Chevy. Too much van body hanging out behind the rear axle on the Ford. MUCH less stable, one of the reasons Ford quite making them was all the lawsuits from crash's. Too many schools (the vans are rated at 12 or 15 passenger so the driver does not need a CDL to drive them) having rollover accidents with them.
I have had 4 3500 Express's pulling campers and trailers and have had good luck. The 6.0 with a 6 speed transmission is a good combo. When not towing I get 16-17 mpg and when towing (my camper weighs in at about 11,500 Lbs. and is 38ft long) I average 9.5 mpg.
Some of the rental places use these vans and get ride of them at about 20,000 miles. I just got a 2019 long wheel base with 21,500 miles well loaded for $23,600.00. Bought from a Chevy dealer, still has warranty until 36000 miles.
I install my own hitch, brake and light wiring and brake controller. I add a heavy gauge, fused wire from the battery, run to the trailer plug to charge the battery's better.
Many places will mount the hitch and wiring so no big deal. Hard to find a van with trailer option on it.
I like the long wheel base because I take 2-4 grand kids, two big dogs, all the bikes and other stuff with me so we like the space. Unlike a pick-up my stuff is inside of of the weather and locked up. I take out the last two seats for more cargo room.
For what you want to use it for a short wheel base with the two rear seats out will give you LOTS of room.
