Towing Trailer with RWD Van

[WanderLoveJosh]

Been researching towing with RWD vehicles and it seems like it has its advantages, but id like to hear from anyone that actually has experience and if they would recommend towing a trailer with a RWD Cargo van..

Specifically lets say... 

Ford E150 or E250 my research shows that both have a towing capacity of around 5600-6000.

The trailer being pulled would have an unloaded weight of around 3100.. and I'm gonna make an assumption that after its loaded possibly weigh around 3600 possibly.

 

[Patrick46]

'99 E-250, towing an 18 foot Prowler trailer here. (nearly the exact same weight TT as what you've got.)

No problems whatsoever. (and I live in a mountainous region too.)

Just be smart about what you're doing, and you'll be fine.

 

[29chico]

I would suggest that you focus on at lest a 3/4 ton van.  More brakes, suspension and cooling for the engine and trans in most cases.

 

[Canine]

I've towed a lot and towing is no big deal as long as you load it correctly. If it isn't loaded correctly, that is a bad deal.

You can definitely tow with a half ton, but I recommend the 3/4 ton (a real 3/4 ton not the fake ones). The better brakes and transmission are nice to have.

 

[Almost There]

I've towed a lot and towing is no big deal as long as you load it correctly. If it isn't loaded correctly, that is a bad deal.

You can definitely tow with a half ton, but I recommend the 3/4 ton (a real 3/4 ton not the fake ones). The better brakes and transmission are nice to have.

A lot of how well a trailer tows behind a van depends on the trailer itself.

A lot of trailers are built with economy in mind rather than good towing. These have to be loaded more exactly in terms of weight distribution both from side to side and from tongue to rear or else they tow like a POS.

A well built trailer can be loaded with a whole lot less thought and planning and still tow well.

Since it appears from your post that you already have the trailer, it's too late to suggest that you try out various trailers before buying.

Yes a 3/4 ton van will have better towing capacity because of it's heavier build and parts like brakes will last longer when faced with the additional task of towing something. Personally, I'd never tow without having at least a transmission cooler in place.

 

[johnny b]

I've also got an E250 towing a 3300 lb. (empty) trailer.
You say you're only going to load about 500 more pounds into yours? You'd be surprised how quickly that can be exceeded.
Are you planning on batteries, solar, fridge, bed, water, etc?

My van has the 5.4L V8 and I find it lacking when towing a loaded trailer (approx. 5000 lbs.), which is only 1700 lbs. of payload. Does OK here in the east, but I would not be comfortable in the Rockies. (The sticker says my van has a 7500 lb. tow capacity, but I would only attempt that for short, 'flat' hauls).
I did successfully haul a Chevy II drag racer in it once from Virginia Beach up to the DC area....BUT...no hills Interstate hwy all the way.

As far as towing comfort in a rwd van, it's like they say above....load balance and tongue weight are very important. A load equalizing hitch is also a good idea.

Rear drive is the only way to go when towing any kind of weight. (or 4wd)

I towed a small trailer and then a heavier pop-up camper with a fwd V6 Dodge mini van for a few years and the camper really put a strain on it....never again.

 

[WanderLoveJosh]

Thanks for the replies!

The reason I say we won't be loading much weight, I should have mentioned... the trailer is a 22' 2016 Shasta Oasis... the empty wight is around 3100.. and it only has a max load of around 700... we don't own much of anything, we try to have as little as possible.