i am trying to figure out about towing a boat. i am acquiring a 1975 18' Glastron. i have a 91 aero* with a 3.0 and a towing package. will this van be able to tow the boat to the lake and out of the water or am i getting in over my head?

 

Best bet is to get the boat/trailer rig weighed like it's ready for the water (full of gas, coolers, skis, etc.) + figure out how much weight (people, cargo) will be in your van. Any hills on the way to the lake? Does your tow package include a limited-slip rear end - if not, you may have problems retrieving that boat. Unless the trailer has brakes, I wouldn't even consider this - even then I think you'll be at/over the max towing capacity. Plus, if you have a wreck towing the boat and your insurance co. discovers you overloaded your van, guess who pays?

Steve

 

how do i tell if i have a limited slip differential?

 

If you have a local Ford dealer, run the VIN by them - hopefully, they'll be able to tell from that. If not, see if the rear end has a tag on it - if so, give them that info. Good luck!!!

Steve

 

the maximum Gross Combined Weight Restriction should be on the little sticker on your door. Most 3.0's are between 3500 and 4500 hundred plus the van at her max payload...
as a side note aerostars with teh 3.0 weigh about 3300 lbs with all liquids but no driver.
So to figure out if you are close to overloading your truck check the sticker in the driver's side doorway. I know my GCWR is 8700 lbs and I'm running a 93 XL 5 speed with a 5 passenger setup. I've loaded it just barely up an over by accident bhut only once. I find that the only time you'll really even notice the strain is during breaking or uphills or if you have an automatic otherwise you'll notice a steep decline in fuel economy and acceleration. She'll do what you ask of her but if you're going to edge up against her max tow restriction I'd advise getting a heavy duty transmssion cooler (At least for the automatic anyway) if you ahve a 4.0 I think the tow restrictions are pretty much the same there's just more torque and power to pull it all (note the 4.0 weighs in a little higher than the 3300 of the 3.0 make note of that in your calculations.) A final thing to make sure of: Be sure you have a proper tow hitch! Do not tow class 2 or 3 weights on a class 1! that's more dangerous than overloading the truck itself.

Hope this helps.
Truly,
Brad

 

To check out if you have a limited differential or not, jackup both rear wheels and put the van in neutral. Rotate one wheel by hand. If the other wheel rotates in the opposite direction, you don't have a limited slip differential. However, if both wheels rotate in the same direction, you do.

 

"Plus, if you have a wreck towing the boat and your insurance co. discovers you overloaded your van, guess who pays?"

I will never figure out how this idea keeps alive. Your ins. co pays if you are DRUNK & KILL somebody, what makes you think they won't pay if you are over the GVWR ?

 

Leader -

This isn't an "idea" - run it by your insurance co. if you think it isn't enforced. Also, ask about the DRUNK & KILL scenarios. Personally, I don't think it's worth the chance of hurting/killing someone because the manufacturer's limits aren't followed - JMO.

Steve

 

Steve

"This isn't an "idea" - run it by your insurance co. if you think it isn't enforced. "
I did and by a friend that is an adjuster. I liked his reply best..."We insure STUPIDITY everyday"

"Also, ask about the DRUNK & KILL scenarios."
Same answer for this one. They pay first only because the law says they have to then you get canceled.

"Personally, I don't think it's worth the chance of hurting/killing someone because the manufacturer's limits aren't followed - JMO"
I don't either but have never seen a case where that was the actual/only reason for an accident.
I have asked for years for someone to show me just ONE example of where insurance didn't pay , someone got sued, or a ticket was issued for being over the GVW or GCVW on a car or small truck and it hasn't happened yet.
Do I *Recommend* overloading ? NO I do not. Do I believe the GVW/GCVW *CAN* be exceeded and the load delivered safely? That depends on a whole lot of information that isn't given in that question.

 

To check to see if your rear end has limited slip that's still working, you can use the method suggested by copper_90680. However, if its clutches are worn out, it will behave just like an open diff. In either case, you should check it with the rear of the van jacked up and transmission in PARK. If the diff is open or really worn, it should be very easy for you to turn one wheel and watch the other one turn in the opposite direction. A properly working LSD should have about 40 lbs-ft of torque preload on it, so will offer that much resistance to turning one wheel before the otehr side starts turning the opposite direction.