Pick Up towing a Van

[caredwoods]

I am planning to tow a Chevy G20 van across country with an F150 Pick Up , Towing Dinghy... with a tow bar.
I have been doing a lot of research to be sure what I do is safe.
Something that I have not found answers on is whether or not the front wheels of the tow vehicle should be locked or free to turn. The drive shaft will be removed.
If anyone can offer advise I would appreciate it much!
Thank You ! John

[Naio]

Have you considered paying a company to drive or trailer the van to where you want it?

If you are going to be buying extra equipment, disassembling things, etc. it might be worth it.

[navegator]

The State of California does not require a brake system on a towed vehicle as in cars, SUV's, small trucks only on trailers over 1500 pounds, the CHP uses a performance criteria if involved in an accident they add the weight of the towed vehicle to the vehicle towing if combined weights are more than the CCC of the towing vehicle you are in trouble, on the other hand if the towed vehicle has a brake system they consider it a a trailer.

This information comes from the California Highway Patrol as told to me by several Officers that I asked over several years.

navegator

[navegator]

Do not drive faster than 55 miles per hour, if the van starts swaying and you are going faster you will not be able to slow down while trying to control the vehicles, the faster you go the longer it is to slow down to a controllable situation.

navegator

[mowermech]

"Check the states you will be traveling through, many require a braking system on anything over 2000lbs.

Yes, definitely check the laws in the states you will be traveling through. If for no other reason, because the above statement just is not true!
DO NOT, however, put any trust in any so-called "List Of Towing laws" on the internet. I have looked at a lot of them, and I have yet to see one that I would rely on to be accurate!
For example, many such lists say that Montana has "No law regarding" braking on a towed vehicle. Actually, Montana Code Annotated is quite specific; a towed vehicle does not meet the legal definition of a "trailer" (MCA 61-1-101), so trailer braking laws do not apply. However, ANY combination of vehicles must be able to stop within 40 feet from 20 MPH on a level, clean, hard, dry surface (MCA 61-9-312).

[klutchdust]

There is really more to it than just having the front vehicle weighing more than the rear one.

Have you thought about being able to stop in a sudden situation. Remember that the towing

capacities of vehicles doesn't mean that is what they will be able to stop without auxiliary braking.

Check the states you will be traveling through, many require a braking system on anything over

2000lbs.

[caredwoods]

Thank you all very much for your input, I really appreciate it ! I have considered the weights and the truck will be loaded heavier than the van. I know to cover the transmission as well . Thanks !

[j-d]

Borrow a Brake Buddy if you don't already have one. I see you're already removing the driveshaft. Keep something IN or Over the back of the transmission or you'll have fluid running out. You CAN duct tape the rear universal caps in place so they don't get lost and dirt stays out of the grease. Then tie the driveshaft in place but away from the differential. It's then that plug you need. Just be sure fire certain it's very well secured. And nobody tries to drive the van...

[boogie_4wheel]

I'd add a bunch of weight in the bed of the F150, sand/concrete bags, something to increase the rear axle weight.
I pulled a Jeep CJ with a 1 ton SRW truck and could feel it back there, you have the weights reversed.
Key in the UNLOCK position so that the front tires can steer in the turns. If not it will push the rear of the truck.

[zigzagrv]

I have towed my Geo Tracker (approx 2500 lbs)with a full size E150 Ford van (approx 4500 lbs) and I could definitely feel it moving around back there. On my motorhome, no problem. I would be very careful about towing a vehicle about the same weight as the tow vehicle. JMHO

[mowermech]

When towing a vehicle, the towed should not weigh more than the tower.
What are the weights of the two vehicles?
Based on an experience my son had, I would not do what you are describing!

[Terryallan]

Front wheels must be free to turn. However. Remember that you cannot back up, as the wheels will act as casters, and try to turn