seeking recomendations for a towing vehicle that will seat 7

[v7]

we have a minivan now, but it can barely pull a PU.

we are looking to get a TT and replace our car.

Chevy express seems like a good option to me, we don't mind not getting a fancy huge SUV (suburban / yukon) for the difference in the cost ~30% less for the van.

would love to hear your thoughts.

(are there any PUT that seat 7? or is a 5ver out of the question)

[Land28BH]

Yes, you will need to wire up the brake controller as well. There is no simple plug in adapter like many other cars. All together, hitch and wiring was about $400. I already had a brake controller that I transferred from my truck.

I agree, compared to the 3/4-1 ton truck the van actually rides pretty well. There is no resemblance to a mini van...this is a full on truck. With the big voluminous interior, I think it may be a bit more noticeable to me where in a truck a lot of the bounce and rattle is out back.

[v7]

the wiring is also for the break controller right?

[mcsurveyor]

I can air down to 70 lbs in the rear before the TPMS goes off. I find the ride very nice compared to any 3/4 or 1 ton pickup.

All the seats can be removed. The middle benches are heavy, though. It would also be nice to have the option of folding seats, but I haven't come across any in the aftermarket. You'd think they'd be available though.

Parking garages, yeah, you'll get real close to the ceiling in some. I actually tagged the ceiling slightly in one as I was going a bit too fast and a bump kicked me up a couple inches. Go slow, or just stay out of parking garages.

The hitch is easy to install. The wiring was a bit of trouble though. The dealership messed it up, so I ended up taking it to an RV dealer and they sorted it out. But yeah, find a shop that knows what they're doing.

[ependydad]

v7 wrote:
so if i get a used one, ~1 year.

where do I install a trailer hitch ?

When I needed work on our Durango, I went to a trailer shop. They took care of installing the parts that I needed.

For my Ram truck, I went to a private installer for my fifth wheel hitch. The guy sold this brand and was on the web site's list of installers.

[v7]

Thanks,
is the Hitch the standard part, and the rest (WD, sway control) are fancy add-ons that all fit the same 2" category 4 hitch ?

or do i have to get a specific hitch if i will get a WD system , and perhaps sway control ?

nevermind,
found this

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx#Parts

[carringb]

Be sure the installer does not use a diode box powered by your existing tailight wiring. The Express needs its own powered trailer light converter. There isn't really any amps left in the factory wiring. Using a powered converter box means all trailer lights are powered directly by your batter.

BTW - Uhaul installs the most hitches. Our local Subaru dealer even sends their customers that way. They probably also have the powered taillight converter you need. Another option is buying from eTrailer.com and doing it in your driveway. They provide instructions and videos for your hitch and wiring components.

[ib516]

Any RV dealer would be my choice. They install a ton of hitches.

[Land28BH]

No problem. They are really simple to install however the wiring on this van is a little tricky. I wouldn't hesitate on the hitch but the wiring even gave my expert a bit of a challenge. Finding the correct brake wire under the dash was pretty difficult.

Consult any local reputable RV dealer and they can either do it or recommend someone. U-Haul is an option but not my first choice. We have several businesses in my area that only install trailer hitches and wiring.

A local trailer hitch shop did mine. However, I made it a condition of the deal for the dealer to put a hitch and wiring on it to my specifications.

[v7]

not sure i understand the question.

what kind of facilities are good for installing the towing package on the car, i doubt my regular mechanic could do it, so where ? campingworld?.

i am new to this

[PAThwacker]

V7, are you serious? What's next? What's a hitch pin?

[v7]

so if i get a used one, ~1 year.

where do I install a trailer hitch ?

[Land28BH]

carringb wrote:

v7 wrote:
Thanks,

do the seats come off? it comes with 12 , but we could do without the back row.
The seats in all modern vans all come out easily, other than being heavy (probably a 2 person job for most).

do the middle seats come off ?
Yes
they are not recline-able are they ?
Only the middle seats in the E150 with the Premium or Chateau package. Otherwise, your best be is a Commuter Van conversion. That's what I have, and it has 14 captains chairs that all recline. It was converted by CVCandMore for Enterprise RideShare.
i saw a couple with low mileage (~14K) ex rentals, shouldn't be a problem, right ?

It wouldn't bother me. I bought mine from directly from Enterprise with 105,000 miles on it. Just hit 377,777 last night.

yes, tilt steering should be standard. All the bench seats are removable. I will typically remove my rear bench seat.

I have a one year off-rental and am very happy with it. It still has two years and 22K miles of warranty left so feel that any issues that may crop up can be handled. Just look for one in good cosmetic condition as typically you do not have to worry about maintenance program. The only real risk is prior accident (carfax) or rough handling. Most people who drive these things are not experienced so it likely was not pushed to limit, especially if it didn't have a trailer hitch. Most of the ones that I have seen do not.

[carringb]

All Express wagons have a V8. However in some years the 6.0 was optional, and the 4.8 and 5.3 are not good options for a large trailer.

All full size vans are RWD except GM offers the Express 1500 in AWD, but payload is limited.

You can get factory approved 4x4 conversions from Quigley and QuadVan.

[v7]

oh, also, all these vans are rear wheel drive, right ?