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2017 Chevy 6.0L 15 Passenger van

crasster
Explorer II
Explorer II
GCWR 16,000
Van weight is 6,129

I have 900 pounds of passengers.

We'd like to tow a 6,660 pound RV. I did the math and included LOTS of details on extra weight.... pretty much we'd have a spare 1,400 to 1,500 pounds (roughly depending on tank levels) amount till we hit GCWR.

With a WD hitch and sway bar, will this van handle the Trailer well? I'm curious how it will do on grades / mountains.

I've pushed it years back with a Toyota Sienna and came within 300 pounds of GCWR on a small KZ. I didn't like it. White knuckled a bunch in Colorado.

I know my Chevy Express is a different class of vehicle totally for towing. This time 1300-1400 pounds off GCWR.

Looking for tips, suggestions, comments, moral support. LOL 🙂

Thanks!
4 whopping cylinders on Toyota RV's. Talk about great getting good MPG. Also I have a very light foot on the pedal. I followed some MPG advice on Livingpress.com and I now get 22 MPG! Not bad for a home on wheels.
7 REPLIES 7

Dadoffourgirls
Explorer
Explorer
You will have no problem, but I would recommend replacing the shocks. It will not win races, but gets the job done. I appreciate the non-towing fuel economy. When you get get over 16 mpg with 10 or more people, it is efficient.
Dad of Four Girls
Wife
Employee of GM, all opinions are my own!
2017 Express Ext 3500 (Code named "BIGGER ED" by daughters)
2011 Jayco Jayflight G2 32BHDS

BenK
Explorer
Explorer
OP posted that his van has a 9,600 GVWR

So already has LT tires on his 1 ton van
-Ben Picture of my rig
1996 GMC SLT Suburban 3/4 ton K3500/7.4L/4:1/+150Kmiles orig owner...
1980 Chevy Silverado C10/long bed/"BUILT" 5.7L/3:73/1 ton helper springs/+329Kmiles, bought it from dad...
1998 Mazda B2500 (1/2 ton) pickup, 2nd owner...
Praise Dyno Brake equiped and all have "nose bleed" braking!
Previous trucks/offroaders: 40's Jeep restored in mid 60's / 69 DuneBuggy (approx +1K lb: VW pan/200hpCorvair: eng, cam, dual carb'w velocity stacks'n 18" runners, 4spd transaxle) made myself from ground up / 1970 Toyota FJ40 / 1973 K5 Blazer (2dr Tahoe, 1 ton axles front/rear, +255K miles when sold it)...
Sold the boat (looking for another): Trophy with twin 150's...
51 cylinders in household, what's yours?...

drsteve
Explorer
Explorer
Sounds like you'll be just fine. The only thing I'd add is you might want to go to a LT tire for added stability.
2006 Silverado 1500HD Crew Cab 2WD 6.0L 3.73 8600 GVWR
2018 Coachmen Catalina Legacy Edition 223RBS
1991 Palomino Filly PUP

crasster
Explorer II
Explorer II
APT wrote:
Go for it. Flush the fluids. Let that engine spin to 5000rpm when accelerating or uphill. Use tow/haul mode for transmission. I like to use M5 and M4 to limit the top gear, but many just use drive. Enjoy.


Thanks! 🙂
4 whopping cylinders on Toyota RV's. Talk about great getting good MPG. Also I have a very light foot on the pedal. I followed some MPG advice on Livingpress.com and I now get 22 MPG! Not bad for a home on wheels.

APT
Explorer
Explorer
Go for it. Flush the fluids. Let that engine spin to 5000rpm when accelerating or uphill. Use tow/haul mode for transmission. I like to use M5 and M4 to limit the top gear, but many just use drive. Enjoy.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
2x 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Gray and Black Twins)

pitch
Explorer II
Explorer II
Probably because he wasn't sure where it went. Why do you care?

ronharmless
Explorer
Explorer
Why did you post this twice?