Towing with a Van

[Anmacc2]

My tow vehicle is a Chevy Express Van and I pull a Keystone Passport Elite. I am close to capacity but still have wiggle room. Have a w/d hitch with anti sway and it pulls straight and tight. Anywhere I go I am the only one using a van as a tow vehicle. My question is why am I the only one? What am I missing? Lots of pick ups and SUVs but no vans???

[RGar974417]

I have been towing with a Van for almost 40 years.I really prefer the van over a pic up for a number of reasons.One being your nose doesn't stick out so much when you are trying to pull out.I can haul 2 grandkids,the dog and 2 bicycles and a cooler. I currently have a GMC Savanah All Wheel Drive and really love it.I'm pulling a Keystone Cougar TT and we just went from Pa to Missouri and back and it towed the TT very well.I have the 5.3 liter motor.

[tragusa3]

We thought about going with a van this last time, but one test drive changed my mind. It was very loud, and although it had lots of space, was not all that comfortable. In the end, a crew cab with cap over the bed was a better fit for us.

[JimVan]

I have been towing with a van for 20 plus years. I now have a Chevy express 3500 van with a Duramax diesel.

[Anmacc2]

I don't think a golf cart would fit through the wheal wells... Easy to measure though. If you need me to I can measure the distance between the wheal wells and you can measure the golf cart. 😉

[jerem0621]

Anyone know if you can get a golf cart in the back of a full size extended van? Of course with the top off.

I much prefer a Fullsize passenger van to a truck...IMHO...I like driving them. All the gear is stowed away and kept dry.

Drove a 5.4 E350 over 1000 miles on a trip year before last and got 16 mpg at 70....of course, not towing.

Thanks!

[dodge_guy]

My old 97 Dodge conv van would run circles around my X in terms of handling. It rode beautifully, and towed nicely.

[Campfire_Time]

I have driven full size passenger/conversion vans. Quite simply I don't care for the driving experience compared to a Suburban or full size PU.

[colliehauler]

LarryJM wrote:

colliehauler wrote:

The old cargo vans were very noisy on the highway.

This misconception is another reason for the unfounded IMO stigma against Vans. While they are not "caddy or Rolls Royce quiet" both my 1979 "cargo based" custom van and my current 2001 cargo diesel 7.3L van are FAR FROM VERY NOISY and very pleasant to travel in on long road trips. My current Van has to be the noisiest Van every made with it being a cargo Van with the infamous 7.3L "clattering" diesel engine.

With that being said I did now a lot of interior finishing on my current Van before I used it a lot and now after 14 years I just got it broken in since it just past the 90K mark:B

Larry

I test drove a cargo van on the highway, nothing but metal interior. It was very noisy compared to my truck. A conversion or passenger van might be a lot quiter. I drove the Ford van a 2012 because I new they were being discontinued and considered one for towing.

[Oasisbob]

We have towed with Mini vans for years. Still do. My tow package is extremely rare. Your numbers are probley batter than mine.

[ib516]

I think the reason you see few vans towing RVs is because vans are a very low volume seller. Contractors, rental fleets, and those with really big families are about the only customers for them.

[Golden_HVAC]

68 MPH will take the mileage and put it in the 6.5 MPG range. But sometimes that is what is required to get the trip over and back home. In other words if you need to travel 650 miles, then 10 hours at 70 will get it down with a break for fuel sometime in the middle, while driving at 55 you might end up taking a extra day to cross the country, and that means another day off work or about $250 in lost wages (even if paid time off).

So while driving 55 - 60 will save fuel, it might cost time, and that can be money. One driver reported driving from Texas to Disney World and got about 8 MPG towing his fifth wheel at 65 - 68 MPH. On the return trip, he made a point of driving 55 - 58 MPH and got much better mileage. He figured it all out and printed the results, that he saved $100 or more on the return trip, and it only took about 4 hours longer. So he saved $25 an hour by going slower!

I took a hint from this and while moving all my stuff from Southern California up to Oregon, I set my CC for 55 MPH and also got the best MPG in my motorhome. Still while on vacation, I set the CC for about 65. It does save time, and sometimes that is more important.

Also are you using overdrive while towing? Usually you should be using overdrive. Yet if you find the transmission is hunting between drive and overdrive, it is time to lock out overdrive. My 1997 Ford motorhome used to search between overdrive and drive before installing a Banks Trans Command. Now it spends more time in overdrive before downshifting.

Not using overdrive can also take away a lot of MPG.

Pushing away 65+ square feet of wind at 65+ MPH can also use a LOT of horsepower.

Good luck on your long trip!

Fred.

[Anmacc2]

When not towing the TT I'm towing the boat. Being from FL I leave the boat hitched and use the back as a boat locker for toys and gear. When it's time for a trip I pull out the boat stuff and load up the camping stuff including bikes and vespers. The kayaks are on the roof most of the time. Plus, I sometimes trade our the cargo for family and fronds. We've had some awesome adventures and experience!

Back to questions.... Around town I'm getting 17mpg. Towing the boat about 12. Towing the camper about 6.5. Is it all weight and wind resistance? Am I driving too fast maintaining 68 - 75 mph? I'm planning 6000 miles starting next month going over the Colorado Rockies twice!

Thanks for your replies and help!

[LarryJM]

colliehauler wrote:

The old cargo vans were very noisy on the highway.

This misconception is another reason for the unfounded IMO stigma against Vans. While they are not "caddy or Rolls Royce quiet" both my 1979 "cargo based" custom van and my current 2001 cargo diesel 7.3L van are FAR FROM VERY NOISY and very pleasant to travel in on long road trips. My current Van has to be the noisiest Van every made with it being a cargo Van with the infamous 7.3L "clattering" diesel engine.

With that being said I did now a lot of interior finishing on my current Van before I used it a lot and now after 14 years I just got it broken in since it just past the 90K mark:B

Larry

[colliehauler]

I thought of buying a van to haul Collies and trailer but use crew cab instead. Dealer only had the 5.4 liter Ford van. Have not looked at the new Ford vans.

The old cargo vans were very noisy on the highway.

[fitznj]

Good question - I've always wondered the same. I've been towing with a van for 20 years and prefer over a PU/SUV.

I usually remove all the seats so I have a big open space and can place a motorcycle and 2 bicycles inside - all locked up with and protected from the weather. If I want, I can use a roof rack and take a kayak with me as well.

No sure why vans are not as popular but it's ideal for me. I currently have a Chevy 3500 towing a 27 foot trailer - A dream towing vehicle, good wheelbase length, great brakes, strong engine/transmission. I currently get about 13mpg towing.

LarryJM makes some good points about vans being "utilitarian" and "boxy" but it really works for us.

Gerry