Should I by the Van?!

[reim0061`]

Hey all, I just completed a rebuild of a 1978 Yarcraft Yankee15 with a 70 h.p. Johnson on it. Largely in part to all the help and advice I found on this website! So thanks! Anyways, currently I tow it with my beater 1993 F-150 but am getting sick of it's unreliability and HORRIBLE gas mileage. It's time for me to get a new car either way and I have a baby on the way, so Im thinking about taking the plunge and getting a van. I have found a few vans with towing packages up to 3500 lbs. and as far as I can tell the dry weight of the boat is 900 lbs. + Trailer + Engine + Battery + Gas = 2000 lbs? I really have no clue, but do you think it would be a good decision to get a van and haul it around? Or should I just keep fixing my old truck? Any advice would be appreciated! I see a lot of conflicting opinions about towing outside the 4X4 world.

thanks in advance!

 

[dorelse]

Re: Should I by the Van?!

When I was in your situation, I always towed with minivans. They always had tow packages, 3500 lbs tow ratings, etc.

They served me well. I owned Fords & Kia's, with the Kia being the clear winner (of all things).

Fully loaded, we were at about 3000 lbs., they all did fine.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Should I by the Van?!

Go for it.Get cash for that clunker and drive around in the Van.See your van as a pickup where stuff in the back stays dry and your stuff does not as easily get stolen.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Should I by the Van?!

Cash for clunkers baby.

 

[reim0061`]

Re: Should I by the Van?!

Thanks for the support guys! I was worried about having trouble pulling it out of the water, but it sounds like I should be fine. If not... You will see another post!

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: Should I by the Van?!

I use a 2008 Dodge Caravan SE to tow my 16' Tuffy, it has a tow package but the base 3.3L engine so I tow in third gear all the time. Fully loaded with fuel and camping gear the whole boat/trailer assy weighs around 2000pds. I get around 22 CDN mpg even in the Northern Ontario hills loaded with 5 people (plus camping clothes) and loaded coolers in the van so I am confident it would be OK anywhere except full on BC mountains.

The Van is plenty roomy with tons of storage space, if i had a choice I would have preferred the 3.8L upgraded engine but the van is provided to me (plus fuel!) by my employer so I had to make do. The hitch was made by U-Haul and fits under the bumper but I bought the factory Dodge wiring for the vehicle to avoid warranty issues with the leasing company.

Honestly I was never a "van" guy and if some of my friends could see me now they would laugh, but I don't think I could go back now...I'm hooked on the room and pleasant ride.

Any of the vans available from the manufacturers could tow your boat with ease, another nice plus is with front wheel drive I have pulled the boat out of some nasty places guys with rear wheel drive trucks avoid...having the drive wheels way out of the water and with the engine weight over them makes for easy launches and pullouts...the traction control makes it a stomp and steer affair also.

I remember the look on a couple of guys faces when I pulled my boat out of the water from the ramp they just pulled out of because they couldn't get their boat out on that ramp (too steep and slippery), I just waived and smiled.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: Should I by the Van?!

I tow with a minivan. But my tow package is maybe 1000 lbs max. I think the van will tow fine (just be sure your tires are in good condition). I'd get the minivan with the larger engine, and if it has a factory tow package, I'd get that put on. For my '06 Dodge Grand Caravan, without the tow package, the tow rating is 2000 lbs w/the 3.8 litre v-6. With the tow package which includes the hitch receiver, a transmission cooler and a couple of other things, the tow rating goes up to 3500 lbs. I don't have the tow package...I just added the hitch, but I know that I didn't plan to tow that much weight.

I like the van. Since my trailer is on the shorter side, and I have stow and go seating, it's nice to be able to go through the side door and open the lift gate to launch my boat. Because of this, I can launch the boat a little deeper than with my subaru.

 

[henrye718]

Re: Should I by the Van?!

my buddy pulled my boat with his van a toyota sienna, it pullls it no problem, 2500lbs at least. Remember its the length that makes it safe and feel good at high speeds while pulling. That sienna is big long and heavy so a big minivan is what you need, not the smaller ones. There is no substitute for shear weight and wheel base length. Unfortunately that 6000lb minivan wont get good gas milage either but its safe and comfortable.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Should I by the Van?!

Man, I went through this dilemma a lot, I used to drive a car, and when i did, knew I couldn't get a boat unless I kept in the marina. I needed more room, and I ended up getting a 2000 Caravan. I use it as a company van, and it's usually full of parts and well, junk.

I added a class II hitch to tow my snowmobile trailer....

Then I went boat shopping again, the van is rated for 2400LB towing. Even with my 17 foot boat, full tank, and gear, I towed it 2.5 hours on highway without overheating. I get up and down the ramp with ease!! The only drawback I sometimes have to open the trunk hatch, and let it stay open while I back down, so I can see the tires, and when backing into driveway, so I can see how close I am to house, or neighbours car...

I say if you can afford the new wheels, definitely! I can't afford a truck AND a van, the van is way more practical...

 

[reim0061`]

Re: Should I by the Van?!

Looks like a van it is, Thanks everyone for your input, thats what makes this site the best!

 

[indy440]

Re: Should I by the Van?!

correct me if Im wrong, but I think you can get an all-wheel-drive minivan...

Its certainly the route I'd take living where we get snow for several months out of the year... But for now the wife and I will stick with SUVs...

 

[jetter2]

Re: Should I by the Van?!

96 F150 5spd with the 3.55 on the ***. Says I can lug up to 3800lbs on that 4.9L straight 6/5psd, I just need to get a class 3 hitch installed.

 

[swick]

Re: Should I by the Van?!

By a van if it saves you money and headache, but keep your overhead low for that baby. I had a 93 Chrysler Town and Country back in the day, that van sold me on Chrysler/ Dodge from the first day I drove it. I had a class 3 trailer hitch on it and towed everything under the sun with it. Used it for family, fun, and even work. Whatever didn't fit in it went up on the roof rack. Bought it when I had my first kid, wish I still had it. Traded it in with over 260,000 miles on it and the a/c still worked too! Chrysler/ Dodge makes it tough. Good luck with that baby!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Should I by the Van?!

Don't buy a Windstar / Freestar !!!
Junk Transmissions !!!! towing package or not.