Mini Van?
 

Can we tow a Hi-Lo with our 2013 Town and Country mini van? Has a tow rating of up to 3500# and has a tow package. Looking at a 1996 22 ft Towlite

I would not recommend using the mini-van to tow a 22' towlite. My 2007 22' Towlite empty weighs about 3500 lbs (not including food, propane, water and supplies) which would max out your towing capacity.

Jeff

The 1996 towlite should be quite a bit lighter than the 2007. you would also need to tow it dry without water or waste

With that said, the 3500 tow rating is probably too low. you are better with a tent traiker

I agree with that. You shouldn't tow more than about 80% of your tow rating. People and cargo in the van must be deducted from the 3500 pounds tow rating. Even a larger popup can exceed that.

Rich,

I'm not sure that I agree with you. As I mentioned in previous posts, I've towed a lot, under many conditions, at very close to the max ratings. I've never had any issues regarding safety or the longevity of the vehicles.

BTW, I do ensure that none of the ratings are exceeded: GVWR, GCVWR, tow rating, etc. I also ensure that the TV and trailer are in top mechanical shape.

Raul

The remaining 20% is to allow for people and cargo in the TV and maybe some extra margin of safety and hill pulling power. It's a pretty widely accepted rule of thumb in the TT community. I might add that it is a starting point before getting down to the fine details of calculating all of the weights.

We made two trips with our 2010 Town and Country complete with equalizer hitch. Had lots of trouble pulling up hills and gas milage sunk to 12 miles per gallon. Put lots of strain on the drive train. We were pulling a 2483.

We ended up trading for Dodge Ram and get better milage pulling even with the V8.

OK, I see what you mean. When I refer to towing close to the max weights I have already factored people, cargo, fuel, etc.

As I have said many times before my 95 21ft weighs 3400lbs empty, no guess work, it was unhooked and weighed on a commercial scale. Also RV dealer book listed it within 20 lbs of actual weight.

Despite what the TT community says, I would think that adding equipment and people to the towing vehicle would make it generally safer. The main concern is that the vehicle be heavier than the trailer. In general, vehicles are way over-powered in the U.S. If you tow on flat land or take it slow in the mountains and downshift to maximize power and cooling, you shouldn't hurt the vehicle. For sure, add a transmission oil cooler. If "engine too small" was an issue, VW Campers wouldn't work in Europe. In developing countries, they squeeze a whole family into a true minivan w/ a 700 cc engine. Not an RV expert, but I am a mechanical engineer.

I would think hills and speed you intend on traveling is a big factor. Flat towing below 55mph with a minimal load in the minivan, I would think should be fine. Over 65 mph wind resistance starts adding up. Add a hill to the 65 mph and you are in real straining mode for a minivan.

I'm considering using my minivan to tow to the local lakes (with in 90 miles) using only non interstate roads, staying below 55mph. My passengers and gear will be in the Toyota. The mini van without gear and maybe just one passenger max, load distribution, E-brakes I think that would be good.

My boat is lighter than my Hilo. 2700lbs vs 3900 but the boat is way more wind resistance. Even with my Toyota 05 Sequoia it strains above 65 mph on hills. But with the heavier 22 Hilo it's does not strain much at all.

We just want your family to be safe.
 

Quite a discussion and opinions. Let us know what you decide.

This thread is 8 years old. I doubt very much that the original posters in it are waiting for more opinions.

- Jack

Lol, a 8 year old post brought back to life.

I will say this, as a mechanic, to anyone else who had this question. It is NOT how big the engine is when pulling heavy trailers. It is the transmission, the TV's suspension, and the combined braking force. You can put a CAT 3406 diesel engine in your tiny honda civic and roar around like a mad dog. But try to stop, you will run into problems. And probably someone.

So don't hitch your trailer up, drive up and down the street, and call it good. A few good panic stops will show if your vehicle can handle that trailer.


As for the transmission, all your torque is being demanded though tiny little parts like the converter, planet gear, and output shaft. Those are your weakpoints.

Drive safe, don't overweight.

I know they don't make Atro or Safari vans but mine was rated at 5500 pounds. Pulled a '94 24T and on flat ground got 15MPG.

Just a point..esp if trailer don't have BRAKES..STOPPING is a MAJOR factor on a light tow vehicle...