Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

[moterboat]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

Check your torque converter; sound like it is going out or someone put the wrong one in. Needs to be a full lock up with no stall for a 700R4.

Have the same problem with my 1991 explorer,4.0 V-6, auto. 5000 Lb hitch,
pulling a 17 ft tri hull, 140 rude, has no take off, not a strong puller,new transmission,thinking of dropping a 5.0 in it..

 

[Rusty Boater]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

Have the same problem with my 1991 explorer,4.0 V-6, auto. 5000 Lb hitch,
pulling a 17 ft tri hull, 140 rude, has no take off, not a strong puller,new transmission,thinking of dropping a 5.0 in it..

My dad had a 1998 Exploder and it did the same thing; put a new converter in it and it came alive for an Exploder anyway...

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

You'd be surprised how smooth and how easily it trailers my boat. I forget the trailer is behind. I've towed with a 4X4 blazer and the ride was a lot bumpier and didn't feel as safe. I wouldn't try towing 3000lbs. Then I know it would be unsafe if the wind caught in the boat.

I now tow with a 4X4 Jimmy. Outfit as in my signature. No issues whatsoever. Huge difference from the "Towing package" Windstar with the exploding transmission towing half it's rated capacity !!!!

 

[Ben Paquin]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

I now tow with a 4X4 Jimmy. Outfit as in my signature. No issues whatsoever. Huge difference from the "Towing package" Windstar with the exploding transmission towing half it's rated capacity !!!!

What year was that windstar ? Just curious

 

[deerhuntre]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

My 19' boat weighs 2460 lbs and I tow it with a Volvo 850. The Volvo is rated for 3300 lbs towing capacity, with the caveat that anything towed over 1200 lbs must have trailer brakes. Mine does.

Having said that, I think I'd be much happier with an F-150 or something, but only my son likes that idea; not the wife!

 

[James R]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

Hi .
All my towing is with a 1998 Crown Vic with police shocks on the front and sears air shocks on the back.
I pull several boats the heaviest being a 17FT BR Mark Twain with a 140HP Suzuki. The trailer is heavy duty Tee Nee with 13inch wheels with radials.
These motors are quiet, comfortable and do 25MPG on mixed driving.Somewhat less towing.
I have been seriously searching for something to replace it. Toyed with trucks , vans etc. But I have found nothing that gives me a towing vehicle anything like the all round good returns I have from the CV.
Just thought I,d mention it.
Good luck in your quest.
Jim.

 

[bamafutbal]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

my 2003 honda pilot seats 8, and would pull a 3500 pound boat all day. its for sale as of now, just bought a diesel 2500 dodge laramie

 

[MikDee]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

Have the same problem with my 1991 explorer,4.0 V-6, auto. 5000 Lb hitch,
pulling a 17 ft tri hull, 140 rude, has no take off, not a strong puller,new transmission,thinking of dropping a 5.0 in it..

Those 4.0 Mazda V6's aren't very powerful, at least you got automatic, the stick shift tranny is a nightmare, unless you're double clutching thru the gears. I just donated mine to a charity (good riddance) it was a leftover from my stepson, when he left for Tenn.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

Not sure the OP is still watching this thread but I'll throw my opinion in.

I have a 2000 Chevy Astro with a tow package. It's rated to tow up to 6,300 pounds. I tow a 17.5 fiberglass boat behind it as much as several times a week. I have also towed things like a trailer mounted, 30 ton (no it doesn't weigh that much) air conditioning/dehumidification unit and a loaded, 24 foot utility trailer with this van. Although my boat trailer does not currenly have brakes, the other trailers do and I wouldn't tow those sorts of weights without them.

I love this van and consider it to be one of the best vehicles that I have ever owned. It was a tremendous asset both during and after Hurricane Katrina and has served me well in day to day use. I now have 138,000 miles on it and it is still going strong with minimal maintenance. The only thing that I may do that is unusual is that I have it gone through very thoroughly every January with an eye towards keeping items such as brakes, shocks, etc. up to snuff. Periodic maintenance items are also done at that time. My only complaint is that it is a gas hog by current standards - about 15 mpg in town. Given that it has a low ratio rear end, however, that comes as no surprise.

I am now considering going on a hunt for a decent, used 2005 Astro even though mine is still perfectly serviceable. Even though I don't feel a huge need to replace the current car, I suppose it makes sense to find a newer one, with a standard rear end, while they can still be found without tons of miles on them.

Now, if only Chevy would start making them again!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Suggestions for tow vehicle that'll fit the family

What year was that windstar ? Just curious

A 2000 that never towed a thing exploded at 100,000 miles
A 99 that replaced it towed the outfit in my signture and crapped out at 80,000 miles
Both had the factory tow package fitted and both were run in direct (not overdrive) at about half the rated load and driven relatively gently.

So far the Jimmy is great except for having the spare wheel mounted to the tailgate so visibility sucks for reversing. No big deal though, I just take it off before I go down the ramp and leave it off till I am out again.