Towing with a van - Boating & Fishing Information and Reports Forum

Capt. Fred · #1 (**permalink**) 11-05-2007, 04:55 PM

I've got a question. It's time for a new vehicle and a van really would be more appropriate for my business. It would also make a nice camping vehicle when I'm down in Hatteras instead of coughing up the bucks for a room or sleeping on the front seat of the truck. I'm thinking of the Chevy 2500 with the 6.0L motor and the tow package. Boat and trailer weight is about 7500 lbs. A friend has the same vehicle in the pick up version and it tows the boat real well. Any thoughts?

Prodigal Son · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-2007, 05:25 PM

http://quigley4x4.com/pages/index.cf...=page&upID=111

Get that...solid axle 4x4 conversion ordered through the dealer as an option on any 2500/3500 GM van or cutaway chassis/cab.

Guy I lived with had one for doing construction up Corolla way and then used it to camp down south exactly like you mentioned.

Playin' Hooky · #3 (**permalink**) 11-05-2007, 08:25 PM

Teresa and I used a 1998 4.6 powered E-150 for a few years as a tow vehicle and camp rig for a couple of years and it did well considering the engine size. We were towing a boat that probably weighed in around 4500 lbs. A Chevy van with the standard wheelbase is about the same as a Ford's wheelbase. The Ford I had handled well and was very stable. When a 18 wheeler passes you, you will know it in a van though. The large sides make it easier for the air to move it around. The GM 6.0 should be up to the task as long as its geared properly. A diesel powered rig would be easier to tow with though. HTH.

Capt. Fred · #4 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 08:14 AM

Cool. Thanks guys.

Playin' Hooky · #5 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Fred

Cool. Thanks guys.

Post up some specs and pics when you get it.

Capt. Fred · #6 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 04:48 PM

Will do. Probably be a month or two.

Capt Rick Hiott · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 06:41 AM

My boat is about 2,000lbs
I use a Chevy Astro Van to tow it with and am very happy,,,,until I have to stop on a wet road. The "Pucker-Factor" gets pretty tight sometimes.

I have no brakes on the trailer.

How about those pic's Fred?

Capt. Fred · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 10:44 AM

No pics but I bet you've seen them around. :-) Chevy must have made ten million of these critters. It turned out to be the generic Chevy 3/4 ton work van with the 6 liter engine. Tows my 7500 lb rig just fine. Even better than the various trucks I've towed it with. I'm in the process of coming up with a small bed in the rear that I can store the rods under.

fishbard · #9 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 05:28 PM

Um. Ken, that van you have is a one ton van. I'm not sure you can get the 2500 series with the 6.0 Liter engine. I saw a one ton Chevy van yesterday that had the Duramax diesel, I didn't know GM was offering it in vans. BTW, it does seem to tow your boat at least as well as my pickup with the same engine and it rides better, I had been a little worried that it might have a bit less traction on the ramp, since the van's weight is more on the front tires, but that doesn't seem to be the case at all, maybe it has something to do with all that tackle and gear that goes in the huge amount of space it has inside. It must be one of Murphy's laws that whatever space guys have available in their truck gets filled up.

Capt Rick Hiott · #10 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 05:41 PM

Your right about the space thing,,,,Its like your tackle bag,,,the bigger it is,, the more tackle you buy to put in it.............................Mine is about 30lbs............Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha