Anyone pull with a minivan??

[Down to Earth]

Well, gas prices are taking a toll that I'm considering moving from my Dodge Dakota v8 to a Grand Caravan with the v6. With the tow package, I think towing capicity comes out to 3600lbs on the caravan. Right now, I'm only running a 14' Lund which would be no problem pulling, but I wouldn't mind upgrading in the future. So, I'm curious anyone else out there pull their rig with minivan and if so what are you pulling and do you have any issues with it? other than not looking a good of course.

Thanks.

[NCLaker]

I've used my minivan to pull out my runabout (around 2500lbs)a few times. Worked okay, but unless you have a smaller boat I would not recommend it as your every day boat pulling vehicle. They will work fine on the roads but on a boat ramp, and with a front wheel drive traction problems and possible poor ramp conditions (especially with water levels being lower) could be an issue (IMHO).

[Nick Kuhn]

With just a 14 footer you'll be fine. If you were to upgrade to an 18 footer things would be a little iffy. That just has a 3.3 in it, and there are some ramps where I have a little trouble with my Blazer (4.3 and 4WD) with just a 16 foot boat. Granted those are terrible ramps but we don't know where you are fishing.

[Sandmannd]

I would think you would be fine with a 14 foot. Anything more than that and it's pretty good wear on the van.

[rodmaker]

I used to pull a long time ago. If you had a bigger van like a Chevy Astro or GMC Safari you were fine up to an 1775ft aluminum (like a Lund Pro V).

Anything smaller of a van, you would be ok with a 16 footer. I have heard some people complain with the front wheel drives pulling boats out of the water. Traction issue.

[davesfriend]

I talked to a guy who pulled his alumina craft 185 trophy with his olds minivan. An older van at that. He said he had "no problems". I think you definatley want your vehicle to at least out weigh your boat. Even if you can pull it out of the water. If the boat decides to go left when you go right at 70mph, it tends to make a mess..

[rodmaker]

I would take that with a grain of salt. (depending what he had for a mini van).

When I purchased my Alumacraft 185 Compeditor I had a Lumina mini van.with the bigger engine. It really had to work. I went to a Astro van, and it was better.(still not the greatest).

These bigger boats along with the built in gas tanks and everthing are heavy!!!

I ended up getting a Tahoe and problem solved. Don't know it's behind you going 70. Hope this helps

[Pleasant]

To answer your question, yes I pull with a van. I have a 1995 Pontiac Transport, with the 3800 engine and a 4 speed auto in it, engine has a few tweaks, such as cold air intake modification and it has transmission oil cooler, heavy duty engine cooling, traction control, air auto leveling.

I pull a older Crestliner 16 foot fishing boat with it, also a palomino pony tent trailer, and have a 5 x 10 landscape type trailer that I have my 4 wheeler and log splitter on. It pulls them alright, never had any problems, you certainly know you have a load behind. I doubt I would ever pull them any long distances with it. I have moved around, short trips, a 1785 Yarcraft, but that is to much for it. That rig loaded with fuel and gear you are pushing 3000 lbs.

The trouble with most mini vans is they are not a body-on-frame construction and you will end up tearing the thing in half if you are not careful. The Astro/Safari vans mentioned do have a frame under them at least. But for example my sister has an AWD Safari and truthfully I get just as good of mileage with my full sized 2000 GMC pickup as she does with that. So just my 2 cents worth.

Lynn

[davesfriend]

Yes, the construction playes a big part. A polaris 335 with a trailer that barely fits the four wheeler ripped the rear axle loose on my 2001 ford windstar, boy was that a scary ride!!

[rodmaker]

I couldn't agree with you more. The Lumina van I had the 3800 engine and others options you mentioned on your Pontiac. Anything more that a 16ft aluminum (like a lund rebel, or Crestliner fish hawk) is just asking for problems with these smaller engines.

[chasineyes]

Why not keep the dodge and buy a old escort,civic,geo for daily commuting and just park the truck. We recently got rid of our Durango (lousy gas mileage) and have an 01 accord and 97 accord. For this year, I'll have to borrows pop's truck but come next year when the 01 is paid for, I won't hesitate to buy a suburban or pick-up and use that for hauling/trips. It's time to be a 3 car family again.

[Scott K]

 Originally Posted By: davesfriend

Yes, the construction playes a big part. A polaris 335 with a trailer that barely fits the four wheeler ripped the rear axle loose on my 2001 ford windstar, boy was that a scary ride!!

What was the trailer hooked to the rear axle for? The rear hitch on the Windstar is bolted to the body, nowhere near the rear axle! If you were pulling a trailer and the rear axle came loose, it had nothing to do with pulling the trailer, or someone didnt know what they were doing when they installed the hitch!

[Down to Earth]

 Originally Posted By: chasineyes

Why not keep the dodge and buy a old escort,civic,geo for daily commuting and just park the truck. We recently got rid of our Durango (lousy gas mileage) and have an 01 accord and 97 accord. For this year, I'll have to borrows pop's truck but come next year when the 01 is paid for, I won't hesitate to buy a suburban or pick-up and use that for hauling/trips. It's time to be a 3 car family again.

Well our other car is a Camry, which my wife drives. We've thought of going the 3 car route, but I'm a bit hesitant with that. The Dodge is darn near paid for so that may help as well. I'm going to do some mileage data, etc and see how things stack up finance wise.

Thanks for all the feedback so far.

[Grant]

I'm in the same boat (no pun intended... well maybe it was!).

got an older Dakota, wife has an 02 camry.

with my commute, 48 miles of 95% highway, plus twice monthly long distance runs for visitation with my oldest, my calculations keep coming up lose the dodge, keep the Camry for her and get one of those Subaru wagons with a stick... my boat is only a 14' alum with bench seats, so weight is very light. Now it's just a matter of finding the cash to purchase before I sell the truck. I'd like to upgrade my boat in the future as well, but realistically if I get anything it'll be in the same class as what have now, at least for the next 9 years or so. (oldest turns 18, I get a 25% raise )

[davesfriend]

4wander, It was hooked to the reciever hitch. The stress on the rear of the van exceeded what the little bracket between the rear axle and the lower body could handle. It could have been a bad link to begin with I don't know. The four wheelr is the only thing I pulled with it. My wife said after that trip something would "clunk" like there was some thing in the back of the van. I looked and sure enough that little link thingy had torn from the frame. Never saw that before..

[davesfriend]

I tell you what though, the 2007 Suburban LTZ we replaced it with hauls my 3800lb sportfish like there is nothing back there.

[Queenswake]

My parents pull their 16' Alumacraft Lunker around with a Dodge Caravan. No problems. But it's a light boat. The back end on the new 08s like like they are lower though, which I don't like for towing. Like others have said, a lot depends on the ramps you visit most often. If they are steep and it gets wet or has a little frost on it, you might have some trouble. But we've had no problem at all with ours.

I think it's good that people are starting to look at minivans again. They really are superior to SUVs in a lot of ways. So much interior room and more seating. Cheaper, cheaper to run, cheaper to maintain. I do wish we still had an option like the Astro though with the interior space of a minivan but a more truckish frame.

[ricqik]

I got a buddy who pulls a 18' cajun bass boat with a minivan for yrs, the only time I've seen him have problems was when the bottom of his trailer got hung up on the ramp at St. Croix Bluff durning low water time.

[Jaypo]

I pulled a 16.5 ft Smokercraft with a 70 hp fully loaded many times with a 2001 Caravan 3.3L. The boat pulled fine and you needed to worry at steep access entries as well as dirt ones. My concern was less on towing and accelleration than on braking. If you were not careful, that boat would push you along further than you wanted at quick stops. Make sure the vehicle is powered right, but make sure you can stop.

[Iceman73]

I have a Crestliner Fishhawk 1650 with a 50HP Evinrude and I am looking to downsize from my Tahoe. We are looking at Ford Escapes and Mercury Mariners, which with the 4WD and V6, have a 3500 lb. tow capacity. Do you think it would be okay towing my boat? I would only use it maybe twice a year to tow it, otherwise I have an F-150 I use mainly. Thanks for any insight.

[Scott K]

I think you will be ok, but I would look at ones newer then 01 if your thinking Escape/Mariner in 01 they had a few trans issues after towing.

[russ]

I have a 99 GMC Safari AWD. Not your typical minivan. 5000 lb towing capacity, 4.3 motor. This is a great unit for towing. I think 2000 was the last year they made them. Mine is a very tough and reliable unit. 205,000 miles and going strong. I've pulled a couple pickups with boats attached out of boat landings over the years. It will push snow as long as you don't get high centered.

[Macgyver55]

 Originally Posted By: russ

I have a 99 GMC Safari AWD. Not your typical minivan. 5000 lb towing capacity, 4.3 motor. This is a great unit for towing. I think 2000 was the last year they made them.

I'm pretty sure they made these right up to 2005 if I'm not mistaken. Lots of them on the road.

[tacklejunkie]

i use a 2005 dodge grand caravan to pull my big and wide 17 footer. you have to give it the gas when going up hill and the back does go down pretty low when you load the boat with camping gear. but in a regular day of fishing tows ok. I suppose if i went to a 19 or 20 footer it may be a little tough. But my boat serves me fine for my type of fishing

[tacklejunkie]

you will lose some MPG and increase wear but how often do you pull the boat in minnesota? watch the tranny fluid also