Towing a Casita

[KingArthur]

I think I've decided that my first choice for an RV is going to be a Casita travel trailer.

I'd love to find the perfect tow vehicle. It would need to tow the Casita as well as a maximum of 500lbs in the bed at any given time. Preferably it would be used and be as good on gas as possible.

What would you suggest? Do I have to get a V8?

 

[velojym]

For most of the Casitas I've seen, your Astro should be just fine. Some are extremely light, others not so much.

 

[bullfrog]

Check the weight of the Casita trailer you want as lenght and accessories make a difference as well as filled water tanks. I would allow at least 500 lbs of household goods, clothing, tools and food. RVsue has what she considers the perfect tow vehicle and has the solar on it I believe, just google RVsue. She has recently replaced the transmission but had several years of travel. Check out her site. Remember towing with to little a vehicle can result in less MPG than a larger one and wear out the to little one prematurely.

 

[John61CT]

Remember towing with too little a vehicle can result in less MPG than a larger one and wear out the to little one prematurely.

not to mention more dangerous - go slow

 

[velojym]

The Astro has a 4700 lb tow rating, at the low end. A Casita won't be a problem if the van is in decent shape.

 

[Dingfelder]

Nice choice on the casita. Those things are supposedly very durable and keep their value extremely well. I even like the utility of the "mouse fur" on the inside.

 

[JohnnyM]

You'll love the Casita -- truly great trailer. I pull mine with a Ford Flex with the 3.5 L V6 (non-turbo) with a 6-speed automatic trans. No problems at all; it's a good match. I get about 16-17 mpg (regular gas) on fairly level ground and 13 or so in the hills.

Comfortable top speed is around 65 or so. You can go faster but the trans will select a lower gear and you'll lose your gas mileage. I try not to cruise over 3500 if I don't have to. I don't think the engine cares, but I don't like to work it that hard (plus that gas mileage thing I mentioned before).

Go Casita -- Happy trails!

Johnny

 

[ALadyinKansas]

I pull my Casita with a Toyota 4Runner. I love my Casita and the 4Runner does a good job towing it.

 

[speedhighway46]

We towed our Casita all over the country with a Chrysler minivan; think it had a 3.6 or 3.7 engine. I had heavy duty springs installed, and a transmission cooler. Never had a problem. Remember to turn off the overdrive when going up long grades and keep the engine RPMs in the torque band. With an equalizing hitch it was a great setup!