|
Post by vikx on Aug 20, 2021 19:31:15 GMT -8
I recently traded my Jeep GC for a Chrysler van. I won't be towing much, one small ham and a couple of cargo trailers, so didn't need the tow capacity. Jeep was rated at 6200, van is rated at 3500. It is a longer vehicle and is front wheel drive. I bought it with 4000 miles on it. It has a factory tow package and doesn't get great mileage; I'm assuming because it's got a larger V6 and the ability to tow.
We have a small sloped drive between our main shop driveway and the house. It is not particularly steep but I did notice the van spinning the wheels a little if I don't get a "run" at it.
So, I was thinking the other day: why did the POs trade it in with such low mileage? They were going to use it to tow a travel trailer, but traded it in on a Hyundai Palisade SUV. (5000 capacity) Maybe the trailer was too big?
The van will work for me but it is beyond me how a front wheel drive vehicle could tow very much. Please comment on using a front wheel drive vehicle to tow.
|
|
nccamper
Administrator
Posts: 7,744
Likes: 2,871
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on Aug 21, 2021 3:28:24 GMT -8
I can't answer why, but I've always heard that rear wheel drive gave a more stable tow experience. I always assumed it had to do with pulling and power distribution from one front wheel to another.
As far as towing capacity goes, I really believe 3500 pounds equals 1750 pounds in the real world. And not the most comfortable tow even at 1750 pounds if not on flat ground. In the Rocky Mountains, my 2500 pound camper was comfortable on long hauls with my 5.7L Tundra with a 10,000 pound towing capacity. I always knew the camper was there but it never seemed out of control with the exception of a couple of steep declines at which point I had to really slow down to maintain control of even 2500 pounds.
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Aug 21, 2021 4:04:26 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
I towed for the better part of a decade with a first gen 2000 Toyota Sienna. Tow capacity was 3500 lbs. With it I towed a 1500 lbs. pop up trailer as well as using it to pull my 57 Westerner and finally I used it to tow back my 55 Rod and Reel from Eastern Oregon all the way back to So Cal. It towed the pop up with a lot of gear and a young and growing family of 6 but I would have to be in the slow lane going up steep mountain grades. It was always stable towing down the freeway even at speeds of 70 at times. That was with the pop up. The wheel base is long and that helps for stability and I bagged the rear suspension with cheater bags which helped with the rear end sag. The Rod and Reel at an estimated 2400 lbs. was a struggle on hills and I had to turn off the overdrive when towing that one all the way back from Oregon over some passes. But, I never had stability problems. I am sure your van has more HP.
The Sienna had a meager 189 HP V6 and a factory tow package. It got the job done. The one exception is that the front wheel drive when towing on a hill during rain or after the rain has stopped could break loose especially when there is oil on the road. The Sienna did not have traction control. I had that problem very seldom and the mileage was well over 100K miles and on the original suspension. Your Chrysler with only 5K miles and newer tires and suspension on it might yield a better outcome. I am sure it has traction control as well. Those factors could make for a better experience on wet hills.
Vans are great because of all the glass and makes over the shoulder checks and backing up with a trailer really easy. They ride well, too. Outside of one instance going through San Francisco with a full load of people in the van and towing the pop up, did we ever have issues with towing (in a light rain).
For towing smaller trailers and hams, I would think the Chrysler van would do fabulously with the exception of steep hills. But, as mentioned earlier, newer technology and more horsepower could mitigate this issue.
Cheers,
Rod
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Aug 21, 2021 4:13:17 GMT -8
We have a small sloped drive between our main shop driveway and the house. It is not particularly steep but I did notice the van spinning the wheels a little if I don't get a "run" at it. Vik, Have you tried backing the van up the driveway? Rod
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Aug 21, 2021 10:58:08 GMT -8
Thanks for the replies. Great info on towing with a Front WD van, Rod. I'm a firm believer in "there's no substitute for cubic inches" and still say a tow vehicle should have a V8 with a minumum tow capacity of 5000lbs.
Don't get me wrong, I love this van. It has lots of bells and whistles and a huge cargo space. I'd say 4 x 8 flat. The seats stow away, so it's like a pickup with an open cab and lid. LOL. It drives well and has good weight and length for towing. My point is that this van has the FACTORY tow package and the manufacturer has promoted it as a tow vehicle. I don't think it is. If it can't make it up a small slope, how can it tow any size of trailer safely?
Think about it: the trailer adds tongue weight, thereby causing less weight and traction on the front wheels. For towing short distances, 3500 is enough for a 1000lb cargo trailer. But what about a front wheel drive van when towing a canned ham and the entire family, including the dog?? Many hams start at 1500lbs and most of mine have been at least 1800 pounds. With camping gear and people, the van is LOADED. A weight distribution system might help but in itself adds weight on the back.
The van will tow OK on the freeway and even with lack of pull power up steep hills, it is still safe. Wet weather concerns me, as does getting into the campgrounds off paved roads. I'm pretty sure I figured out why the Chrysler was traded in with only 4000 miles on it. One camping trip was enough.
I think the above is important to help all of us. Considering buying a vehicle to tow your trailer? Pay attention to the drive train! I've always been a proponent of FACTORY tow packages but there are other considerations...
NOTE: Many 2021 vans have All Wheel Drive. A much needed improvement.
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Aug 28, 2021 11:22:26 GMT -8
I don't get the concern about the extra weight of a distribution setup. Installed and adjusted properly they more than compensate for themselves. If you're cutting it close enough that 100 pounds makes a difference, your combination is mismatched. Exactly the point of this thread. It is doubtful the PO had a good experience or s/he wouldn't have traded it in. I wonder how much a weight distribution system would help a front wheel drive vehicle? I've never towed with a front wheel drive car and my van will not be used for extensive towing. A cargo trailer around the area is the plan. I'm just not seeing the pull power with front wheel drive.
|
|
ruderunner
Active Member
Posts: 472
Likes: 97
Currently Offline
|
Post by ruderunner on Sept 4, 2021 3:10:18 GMT -8
Recently on another forum somebody posted a link to a commercial showing a Chevy Citation pulling a trailer. It had the weight distribution cranked up high enough that they removed the rear wheels from the car and everything was still level.
Obviously an advertising gimmick (don't try this at home! ) but proof of concept for sure.
|
|
|
Post by Teachndad on Sept 4, 2021 7:19:51 GMT -8
Hi Friends, Here you go. and the one I remembered seeing in a hitch shop a few years ago. Trailer above looks like a Barth. The boat trailer - Who cares. Cheers, Rod
|
|
|
Post by danrhodes on Sept 4, 2021 12:17:07 GMT -8
I don't get the concern about the extra weight of a distribution setup. Installed and adjusted properly they more than compensate for themselves. If you're cutting it close enough that 100 pounds makes a difference, your combination is mismatched. Exactly the point of this thread. It is doubtful the PO had a good experience or s/he wouldn't have traded it in. I wonder how much a weight distribution system would help a front wheel drive vehicle? I've never towed with a front wheel drive car and my van will not be used for extensive towing. A cargo trailer around the area is the plan. I'm just not seeing the pull power with front wheel drive. A weight distribution system basically levers the rear of the vehicle up which pushes the front down. It should give you much more traction with a front wheel drive vehicle. Read your manual closely... Many manufacturer tow ratings have a disclaimer that weight distribution is required for the full rating.
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Sept 4, 2021 20:30:29 GMT -8
I won't be using a wds on my van and would certainly drive a different vehicle if I were going to tow much. It's just not rated high enough for me. The Jeep was rated at 6200 (factory tow package) and I was happy with it. I agree a WDS would put more weight on the front wheels.
After reading the Chrysler forum, there's a lot of discussion on towing and factory tow packages. It seems as if the tow package includes 7 way wiring, a bigger radiator, stability system and a larger alternator, nothing on suspension. Many of the smart guys and gals are agreeing with keeping below the limit at no more than 80%. Also, if one doesn't have a FACTORY tow package, the towing capacity drops to 1500 pounds.
None the less, I'm still curious about others who have towed with their front wheel drive vehicles. Rod mentioned slick roads being a concern. I've also learned that going straight up my small slope works as long as the wheels are not turned sharply.
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Sept 5, 2021 11:35:10 GMT -8
Interesting UPDATE: It seems that folks towing boats with their Chrysler vans are having spinning experiences on the boat ramps... From my limited experience, I'd say most short steep uphills are going to be problems...
|
|