pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

[dak847]

am i crazy to think my 2003 chevy ventur could pull a 17.5 astoglass 175. will i have problems? would my silverrado 2 wheel drive do any better

 

[NMplayer]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

you gotta figure what the boat weighs and then compare that to the tow rating of the van. If it was me, I'd use the truck.

 

[txswinner]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

dak, no question you are asking for disaster, mini van are too top heavy if you get in trouble over she goes.

 

[jtexas]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

It's not crazy...maybe not recommended...but not crazy. I've pulled my boat (maybe 2000lbs tops) with a pontiac and a toyota minivan but its not my main tow vehicle; if you're within the rated capacity, I think, use it sparingly as a backup and go easy on it...the silvarado is probly better suited. Hopefully some chevy guys will chime in. <br /><br />But in any case pay attention to manufacturer ratings.

 

[dk6164]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

For what it's worth, I've pulled my 19' Sunray (2.100 lbs w/o trailer) for 2 seasons now. It's my primary, and only tow vehicle. Never had any problems with handling of any kind. Could use a few more pony's under the hood tho, that 4.3 just doesn't cut it.<br />You might want to check on some of the Chevy forums and see if anybody has had any experience with your type of vehicle.

 

[tommays]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

i have a 4.3 Silverado a Venture and an Equinox<br /><br />the silverado has no problems with a 4000# load stoping or going<br /><br />i cant imagine towing anything much over 1200 to 1400# with the Venture or Equinox <br /><br />tommays

 

[PuddleJumper]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

Even if you are within the "tow capacity" of the van, a boat of that size at speed will push the back end of a front wheel drive van in a curve significantly. I hve a Toyota Sienna that I towed my 19 ft Astro home when my truck broke down. Went OK but was a little scary in the curves if I went over 60 mph

 

[txswinner]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

It can be done but be careful, my son rolled my Rodeo while towing and it was under capacity, can get tricky real quick at highway speeds.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

Nobody has mentioned the entertainment factor of watching a boat get pulled up a steep ramp with a front wheel drive vehicle. The wheels spin up the hill, while the van/boat slides down the hill. It's great fun! For everyone but the driver, anyway. Make sure you have a few "Bubbas" standing around in case you need to recruit them to sit on your hood for traction.<br /><br />I'd use the Silverado. Mostly because Bubbas fit better in the bed of a truck than on the hood of a Venture!

 

[2MADAKAT]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

Most front wheel drive vehicles today have a listed tow rating of approximately 2500lbs. Don't forget that this figure has to include friends and gear weight as well as the boat. What you have to remember is, front wheel drive is pulling both the van and the boat making the engine work a lot harder whereas rear wheel drive is pushing the van and pulling the boat. You are MUCH better off using the Silverado.<br />If you do use the Venture, I suggest you put a trannie cooler on it. It's a cheap form of preventive maintenance that can save you a major repair bill.

 

[jtexas]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

funny thing about the Toyota Sienna...when it was brand spankin new I had the Hidden Hitch installed. We loaded it down for a whole week of tent camping. Had the boat loaded down with tents & bicycles & crap.<br /><br />Hooked up the boat, loaded the kids, one last walkaround and...honest to God, the bottom of the hitch receiver was not more than 2" off the pavement. Can you say overloaded? What'd I do? I picked my jaw up off the street, got in behind the wheel & drove the 200 miles to the campground, took about 100 miles to relax. We made it there & back, but never again! Ever since then it takes two vehicles for us to go camping.

 

[dak847]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

thanks all for the advise on the mini van ? when I brought it home it nwas ok but when i hade to pull it out of the water that was not fun at all. the silverado is only rear wheel drive and its still better? im not a spellin major sorry!

 

[tommays]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

i have used mine at some pretty bad ramps and with the big tires 255R16 i believe it does well<br /><br />i dont even have limited slip just a base model work truck with the big tire option<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[DaveM]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

Let me see if I understand this correctly (I am still on my 1st cup of Jo)...you have a Silverado, but want to tow with a Ninny van? In my opinion the truck is way better suited for this task. <br /><br />There are plenty of things you can do if you are worried about 2WD on the ramp, like putting sand bags in the truck bed. If you slip, use some of the sand from the bags for more traction.<br /><br />BTW - I can't remember the last time I used 4WD on a boat ramp.

 

[dak847]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

thank you all for the advise. what about the bumper hitch on the silverado, the bumper is in good shape. also i just had to spend 2500 on motor repairs and transom replacement would do it myself but no time and limited space. also want to go fishing with my kids. just bought the boat and it needed work so i havent even been on the water. I WILL IN TWO WEEKS.

 

[youngboater]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

If I were you I would just go to U-Haul have them install a real hitch that is attached to the frame. I got the tow package from the factor which also came with a tranny cooler. Use the Silverado. You you slip a little on the ramp, it happens to most of us at one time or another. I usually always see boats 2 or 3 times my size launching and retrieving with 2 wheel drive. They spin a little but nothing major. Trucks are made to tow compared to a soccer mom mini van.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

The braking power, and ability to get the boat up & down the ramp would be my primary concern. If your boat is lightweight, a minivan is just fine. Although my normal tow vehicle is a pickup truck, the van has seen some action as shown below. My boat is quite small.<br /><br />

 

[dak847]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

THANKS FOR THE ADVICE. I THINK I WILL HAVE A HITCH PUT ONTO MY TRUCK. MY WIFE NEEDS HER VAN ANYWAY. SHE WILL KILL ME IF I AM GONE ALL DAY AND SHE HAS TO DRIVE MY PICK UP.

 

[DaveM]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

You might want to check out hitches for a custom hitch that bolts right into the frame holes on your truck. Reasonable price and it is easily mounted in less than 1 hour.

 

[dmc337]

Re: pulling boat wiyh mini van ????

Originally posted by dak847:<br /> THANKS FOR THE ADVICE. I THINK I WILL HAVE A HITCH PUT ONTO MY TRUCK. MY WIFE NEEDS HER VAN ANYWAY. SHE WILL KILL ME IF I AM GONE ALL DAY AND SHE HAS TO DRIVE MY PICK UP.

Two things....I have a 2001 Dodge Minivan that we pull our 17.5 Glassport Bowrider with. It groans about the hills, but it does the job. <br />As far as the hitch goes, it cost me $270 for the hitch mounted to my frame. It's well worth it for any vehicle. We used to pull our landscape trailer with a bumper mount on our Dakota, but it about ripped the bumper off, so we also put a frame mount on that one too.... Well worth the investment.... Watching your trailer and boat go down the hill with your bumper while you go up is a sad sight. ( :{ )