i dont know much about towing...but i can get my hands on a cargo astro van with a 4.3 for cheap cheap....would that be able to haul a truck on a trailor? if the trailor had brakes and all that. when i say truck i mean chopped up toyota...

i dont know much about towing...but i can get my hands on a cargo astro van with a 4.3 for cheap cheap....would that be able to haul a truck on a trailor? if the trailor had brakes and all that. when i say truck i mean chopped up toyota...
umm.. Not a chance, ever.. Don't even ponder the idea..

I tow my boat,old heavy 17 footer, no problem I was wondering the same question will it tow a rig on a trailer? with reasoning why or why not.

v8 it

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/AstroVan_V-8.html

The fiberglass rear leaf springs are going to love that. :eek: So is the 7-5/8" rear axle.

IMO, an astrovan is about as capable as an S10 or a 3rd-gen Camaro.

there is a guy on here, i forget his name. he has a toy or sammi buggy and he did a several page thread on an ultralight trailer he built on here and he seems to do ok with an astro :)

Personally I wouldn't be caught dead hauling with one, but to each his own:)

No.... Just, um, no.....

You can carry a case of longnecks from the corner store to your house on a moped, but sooner or later your gonna break something or worse yet that hot chick down the street is gonna see ya.:D

Rotozuk uses one for a tow rig.

They are rated to 5k lb. If you are under that, you'll be fine.

I have towed 3500 lb many miles with them. 4.3 L has good power, and 4l60E is pretty durable in that light of a vehicle.

Just like ramv says...if you are under 5,000# you will be fine! Add an aux tranny cooler, a transgo shift kit, wiring harness and brake controller and have a ball! It is no different than these Naysayers hauling 12,000 to 20,000# with an 8,000# truck! :flipoff2: If set up right it will work fine...not the best option but a good cheap and reliable option.

It is no different than these Naysayers hauling 12,000 to 20,000# with an 8,000# truck! :flipoff2:

I've always loved that.

I run a half ton - a non-tow rig in many people's opinions. I use it to tow about 8,000lbs.

I catch shit from some people that are towing 20,000lbs with their 1 ton diesel - yet that is a-ok... Their truck is even more overloaded than mine when you go by the books.

:laughing:

If you go read the 'can i tow with a 1/2 ton' thats ALL the responses are..

and as exactly as said... They will brag about fitting 3-4 rig on 1 trailer etc..

IMHO - to tow with any smaller vehicle. Make sure it is mechanically up to the task. Tranny cooler, gearing etc.. Use the smallest / lightest trailer as possible, with in reason.. Use 2 brake axles. A good controler, and a WD hitch. Drive smart..

It will tow fine if you tow within the vehicle's limit and have good trailer brakes...

It can't be any worse than a "real" tow-rig driven by some dumb ass and no brakes on the trailer...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v126/cumminsdzl/WHIP004-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v126/cumminsdzl/WHIP003-1.jpg

It will tow fine if you tow within the vehicle's limit and have good trailer brakes...

It can't be any worse than a "real" tow-rig driven by some dumb ass and no brakes on the trailer...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v126/cumminsdzl/WHIP004-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v126/cumminsdzl/WHIP003-1.jpg

:laughing: tell me he atleast had that thing bombed :nuke:

That's Winston, I was driving right behind him on the way to Harlan last year when he ran off the road. The conditions were rough. It was drizzling, slick, and we were driving on downhill switchbacks. He was only going about 25 mph when he hit the brakes and turned the wheel. Everything locked up and he started skidding downhill on wet grass right into that man's porch.

The scariest part was that the older gentleman with the red hat was sitting on his porch when the truck came crashing in. He got up and ran for safety then he ran back onto the porch to go inside. He's lucky that bit of indecision didn't kill him. :eek:

IMHO, the three things that really made it happen were: 1) Mud terrains on the tow rig 2) No trailer brakes (6 pin vs. 7 blade) 3) Speed

He wasn't going fast but obviously he would have made the turn at 5 mph. Next time you guys find a tralier with the wrong connections just spend the 20 minutes it takes to go to autozone and get the adapter you need. It might save a life.

This picture shows the path he took and just how slick the roads were.
http://www.just4fun.org/off_roading/trips/Harlan%208-6-06/images/dcp_3635.jpg

Back on topic. I tow a trailer/buggy that weighs 4,800 lbs with a tacoma (rated at 5k). I have brakes on both axles, I load it properly (had a pro teach me), and I don't rush to where I'm going. I'd guess the astrovan would be in the same category. To be honest, I'd rather have a big diesel and my next truck will probably be one but for now I feel safe, albeit a little slow up hills.

Gawd Dammit, run Betsie, here de come!!!! That guy must of shat a bundle when that Dodge started sliding his way.