How to trailer a mini-van
- Thread starter dknarnd
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Diamondpilot
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 16,331
- Location
- Daleville, IN
- Tractor
- Jinma 254/284 Ford 861 Powermaster at work
Must be a difference in the tow dolly. The one we had was a solid axle design with no suspension. We even tried airing down the tires but still beat the truck up.
Chris
Chris
Highbeam
Super Member
Bird nailed it. You don't have the brakes to dolly the windstar. Your truck's owner's manual will give you the maximum trailer load to be towed without having trailer brakes. It is 1000lbs on my older 1/2 ton chevy with a bigger engine. So the dolly weighs 500 lbs and the windstar will weigh maybe 3000 lbs so you are exceeding the truck's capabilities as determined by the manufacturer.
Even the crumby surge brakes typical of a u-haul car hauler would be btter than no brakes at all. I happen to own and like a car hauler trailer. I have towed hundreds of miles to pickup classic cars with my car hauler trailer. The truck is completely adequate.
Oh, my chevy is a 1998 with a 5.7 V8 and 3.73 rear end. Same auto tranny as your 5.3 chevy.
Even the crumby surge brakes typical of a u-haul car hauler would be btter than no brakes at all. I happen to own and like a car hauler trailer. I have towed hundreds of miles to pickup classic cars with my car hauler trailer. The truck is completely adequate.
Oh, my chevy is a 1998 with a 5.7 V8 and 3.73 rear end. Same auto tranny as your 5.3 chevy.
Diamondpilot
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 16,331
- Location
- Daleville, IN
- Tractor
- Jinma 254/284 Ford 861 Powermaster at work
A different way to go about this whole deal is drive the Van and fly home. With gas prices being what they are I can fly cheaper than drive any distance over 250 miles. I recently took a 2000 mile flight, 1000 miles each way, for $129 round trip. Even if I had a car that got 35 mpg it would cost over $200 just for gas. You then have wear and tare, hotel, food, ect. ect. Your truck will get about 10 mpg doing this tow job.
Chris
Chris
Well guess I have a few things to look at now....but then maybe I'll just send my wife and daughter on their way to Arkansas by themself with the van and I'll stay behind. 
)
Once before I went to Arknasas in July (visiting inlaws) and it was 110 every day and I told my wife; never again will I go in July! This yankee just can't take that heat!!!! They can go on their trip for two weeks and I'll go spend a week at the farm playing (working) with the tractors.
)Once before I went to Arknasas in July (visiting inlaws) and it was 110 every day and I told my wife; never again will I go in July! This yankee just can't take that heat!!!! They can go on their trip for two weeks and I'll go spend a week at the farm playing (working) with the tractors.
