Towing with a van conversion

[dwholcomb]

I am considering a 2004 – Ford E150 Southern Comfort van conversion as a tow vehicle for a 18' bass boat. What has been your experience towing with a van conversion?

[drsteve]

We'll See wrote:
Your bigger concern would be slippery launch ramps. That is why 4 wheel drive or awd is preferred launching boats.

A van has a lot more weight on the rear than a pickup truck.

I used to tow 6500 lb with a high top conversion with all the bells and whistles. The deluxe conversion used up most of the payload, unfortunately, which led to me towing overweight, which eventually led to a cooked transmission.

Pulling an 18 foot boat should be no problem.

[We_ll_See]

Your bigger concern would be slippery launch ramps. That is why 4 wheel drive or awd is preferred launching boats.

[dewey02]

We towed for several years with a GMC G-20 Van Conversion. We had a 350 cubic inch engine (or whatever amount of liters that is).
Our trailer was about a 24 footer and we never had any problems.

As 1995brave said above,I would stay away from the "sport" conversions that have the stubby wheelbase and smaller engines.

[1995brave]

Had a 97 RAM conversion van short wheelbase, 3.9L V-6 that we pulled our pop-up with. We then got a 21ft HTT that we pulled a couple times, but the V-6 just didn't have enough power. So I traded it in for a 99 RAM conversion 5.9L V-8. Towed the HTT with no problems, sometimes I even forgot it was behind me until I looked in the mirror.

[valhalla360]

My Dad did that. As long as you are within weight ratings, it will do good.

With just a bass boat, odds are you will easily be within weight ratings.

[dodge_guy]

gbopp wrote:
From what I've read on the forum, full size vans make excellent tow vehicles.
A conversion van would be the same thing, just a little heavier.

Actually depending on how the conversion was done it could way the same or a bit lighter than the same passenger van version. Ever try and remove passenger van seats?!!! My van was nothing more than a nice interior and windows. The cans to stay away from are the leather loaded high tops. Those are the ones that way a lot!

[gbopp]

From what I've read on the forum, full size vans make excellent tow vehicles.
A conversion van would be the same thing, just a little heavier.

[dodge_guy]

I towed a 28ft 6500lb loaded TT with a Dodge conv. van. the van had the 5.9L with 3.90 gears. it towed effortlessly. your bass boat should be no issue for the E150. as was said the 5.4 would be best, but the 4.6 will work.

[rjstractor]

I've never towed with a van conversion, but an 18 foot boat is pretty easy towing duty. The 5.4 engine would be preferable to the 4.6, but the 4.6 will do it.