Chevy Astro Van as towing vehicle??
John D. Maher
My family just ordered a 24ft trailer, and we're looking for
a suitable vehicle with which to tow it. The trailer has a dry
weight of 3700lbs - full it will be around 4500-4900lbs. We're looking
at the 1997 Chevy Astro Van, which has a listed towing capacity of
5500lbs. Do you think that this will be a capable vehicle for towing
our trailer cross-country for a couple of months, or do you think
we need a truck like the Ford F-150? There will be only two passengers
in the van/truck (my parents), so seating is not an issue. Thanks
for any help you can offer us.
John Maher
Boston, MA
Ian Sutherland
John D. Maher wrote:
John Maher
Boston, MA
John...
I pull a 1996 Terry 22LW (24ft 3500lbs dry) which I recently weighed wet
at 4100 lbs (don't believe the owners manual ...take the trailer to a
scale with battery, propane, airconditioner, microwave, supplies etc
installed...it may surprise you).
My 1995 Astro with 3.23 rear end is rated at 4500lbs and pulls the
trailer comfortably (wife, 2 kids and gear installed). I always travel
with waste tanks empty and fresh water less than 1/4 full (the dog gets
thirsty). A bike rack and 4 bikes on the rear bumper of the trailer are
regular attachments (put them on before you go to the scale).
I have travelled the Adirondak mountains and many other roads of
adventure and I do not tow in overdrive unless on flat terrain (
automatic hunting for gears drives transmission temperature up as the
torqe converter locks and unlocks). On mountain roads I reduce speed to
45 MPH and shift to second to keep the engine in the torque power curve
(260 ft lbs @ 2800 rpm). I have had no problems with these driving
habits and I expect your 1997 Astro fitted with the 3.73 rear end (rated
5500lbs) will experience better hill climbing ability and should pull
your expected load comfortably..note...the Astro does not have a
tachometer which I consider is a major oversight by GM in producing this
vehicle for it's intended purpose but an add on can be installed
relatively inexpensively (and worthwhile).
If you are willing to drive at a reasonable speed (55-60 MPH) and drive
the van with respect you will have enjoyable RV adventures. You will
also experience reasonable fuel economy at this speed with your rig..
My transmission fluid exhibits no burning, discoloration or odour,
however I am planning to add a cooler and synthetic oil at this years
service interval just to be safe.
As far as braking and handling go I have no problems. A good brake
controller properly adjusted will eliminate excess load on the van
brakes. Occasional push from the bow wave of large trucks passing from
behind is normal towing experience with any travel trailer and if you
find this unnerving, a friction type sway bar could be added to prohibit
any induced dangerous sway. Sway potential increases with speed and
driver habits... so slow down.. A tap on the manual switch of the brake
controller will pull things back into shape if you feel threatened by
sway. A good location to mount the controller in the Astro is just above
the drivers right knee below the climate controls (this does not
interfere with normal movements and positions the controller just below
where your right hand grasps the wheel.
I find the Astro a great tow vehicle as well as an inexpensive and
comfortable unit for general purposes use as well as touting around the
countryside when the trailer is docked.
If however, you are a pedal to the metal driver and want to travel at
high speeds on the interstates with the trailer (what's the rush in your
RV life...half the fun is the trip), then I'd suggest you consider a
larger capacity tow vehicle and potentially a fifth wheel trailer. Most
full size pickups with V8's have larger towing capacity than the Astro,
as as do the suburban, tahoe etc. These of course are more expensive and
typically will not provide the same fuel economy while towing or in solo
mode.
Trailer Life did an evaluation on the Astro in early 96..it was rated as
an excellent tow vehicle for your kind of use...you may want to contact
them for a back issue.
Having said all that, the Astro is capable of meeting your needs if you
expectations are similar to mine. Relax to RV (listen to your golf pro).
Hope this helps....
PS...the one part of the trailer manual you should believe is the part
about checking wheel nut torque regularly (every trip or few hundred
miles, whichever comes first). They do loosen up due to the forces at
work on a tandem axle trailer (any trailer). I have not had any come
dangerously loose but I have managed to get a twist on the odd nut when
I check them.
Ray Fournier
Hi John;
I just traded in a 1996 Astro because I considered it very marginal to hawl
a 5000 lbs trailer. The astro had a 3.73 axle ratio and was not bad pulling
but I considered the vehicle to light when it can to making a sudden stop.
I bought a Ford Expedition with a towing capacity of 8000 lbs.
Ray
Warwick, RI
John D. Maher <jma...@datablast.net> wrote in article
<jmaher-2004...@l62.net1.metro.ma.datablast.net>...
Philip Sinewe
Was it worth the additional 12,000.00 it cost??????
--
________________________________________________________
Lt. Phil Sinewe | psi...@erinet.com
Training Officer | 937-434-3163 (Home)
Moraine Fire Department, Ohio | 937-297-6552 (Work)
Ray Fournier <R.Fou...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in article
<01bc4f67$648513c0$ac05...@682134621worldnet.att.net>...
WSauer3481
I have 1992 Astro van and tow a 26ft 3800 lb trailer(wieghed at local
station) It tows great now that i have installed a transmission and oil
cooler. To aviod damage the transmision must not be in overdrive when
going uphill or when accellerating ffrom a dead stop. I also usse this van
in my work delivering rental equipment and have towed wieghts as much as
5800 lbs. the van has 73,000 miles on it and haas had no problems since
installing coolers