Forum Discussion

Wayne_v's avatar
Wayne_v
Explorer
Aug 15, 2013

2005 Ford Freestar pulling capabilities?

New to the forums and this seemed like the best place to ask this...

I have a 2005 Freestar with the 4.2L engine. I am looking at a trailer that is about 2700 dry. Can I pull this with the van without frying my transmission or anything else? How do you think it will do? Is it safe etc.

Does the pulling weight which Ford specs at 3500 pounds include the weight inside the van itself?

Any guesses on what filling the trailer with regular vacation items will weigh? Let's assume we don't run with water tanks full.

Any help here is appreciated.
Thanks!
Folding Trailers
  • popupcamping's avatar
    popupcamping
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    A 2700lb dry trailer is too much for your van.

    loaded ready to camp tongue weight will be 500lbs and you simply do not have the capability....Your vans max tw is 350lbs...sorry.

    btw, what is the model trailer you are looking at?
  • xteacher's avatar
    xteacher
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2013
    If it's a pop up, you might squeak by with this weight, as long as you don't have a lot of people in the van and a lot of stuff in the PUP. I pull an Aliner (around 2000 lb. dry) with my 2010 Pathfinder (6000 lb. capacity) with no problem.

    I pulled a PUP with a Mitsubishi Endeavor (3500 lb.), and we started pulling our Aliner with a V6 Rav 4, and both were okay, but we don't have kids or tons of stuff - just the dogs. I'm much happier with my Pathfinder.

    If you're talking about a travel trailer, forget about it!
  • Road_Ruler's avatar
    Road_Ruler
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2013
    The Freestars with the 4.2 have been very popular TV's in these parts for many years.

  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2013
    I have a Freestar with the 3.9L and a 4 sp auto. That transmission is not going to hold up IMO. Most folks add at least a 1000 lbs of stuff to a TT.
  • rexlion's avatar
    rexlion
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2013
    I've heard good things about Freestars. I guess it depends on your expectations. It won't be any sort of speed demon up the hills.
  • spanielrage's avatar
    spanielrage
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2013
    It will not be a comfy ride, with their softer suspensions. You might want a WDH to help with that tho.

    Minivans should not tow anything bigger than a jet ski.

    IMHO

    :)
  • David_R's avatar
    David_R
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2013
    We recently traded off our 2004 Freestar with the 4.2L. I pulled an open cargo trailer with it ocassionally and it did fine but would not have pulled anything that heavy. You need to include the weight of your passengers and cargo in the 3500 # capacity.
  • mythree's avatar
    mythree
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2013
    If you look in the owners manual it already takes into consideration of gear and family in the van, per our manual on our 2004 Freestar. We did have to put a tranny in our at 95000 miles. Our pup gross is 2049 and we are always right at it.;) We just came back from Chattanooga and it did great. 14.5 mpg hand calculated at 61-64 mph. It has a hair over 115000 on it now and my wife drives the snot out of it. :'( I wouldn't tow that much with it. I feel ok wihh mine but not any more. It's paid for so its what we use.
  • frankwp's avatar
    frankwp
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2013
    I used to tow a large Coleman PUP (around 3000 lbs)with a Windstar. It had the tow package and was rated at 3500 lbs. I used a WD hitch and the towing experience was great. Very stable, no sway at all and enough power to handle the mountain passes. Don't know if it had the same tranny as the Freestar, but there was never any trouble with it.

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