Towing W/aerostar
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
For towing, a rear sway bar is almost a must have. Good shocks are recommended. Monroe Sensotracs seem to be what most people are useing to overcome the vans wobble and leaning issues.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 3
Of all various options tried over the past years, air-lift rear shocks were the best overall addition for towing needs. I had a set of Gabriel Hi-Jackers that were simple to install and provided that extra lift for heavily loaded passenger travel or towing needs. A small, inexpensive 12v compressor will fit nicely in the rear storage well where you can also locate the inflation valve.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: brooksville, florida
I tow a 20ft searay with mine plus a three bike motorcycle trailer here in florida. Like Ken and AERO I fitted the air-lift rear shocks on mine plus tha anti-sway bar and it handles great when towing. I did nothing to the tranny though because I saw a large tranny cooler up front of the rad I don't think it is a standard extra cooler as I have seen them and there much smaller than the one I have and I have never had any over heating problems with the tranny.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Wichita
What's the tongue weight on your bass boat trailer? Mine is 200lbs and the Aero rides level with the Sensatracs. I only tow less than 1% of the time, the rest of the time I get the smooth Sensatrac ride.
There's also variable rate springs. It all depends on your application which way to go.
There's also variable rate springs. It all depends on your application which way to go.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
You picked the perfect van for towing. 
Sense you have an EXT then you don't have to worry about relocating the spare. Everything else about the suspension has been said.
Sense you have an EXT then you don't have to worry about relocating the spare. Everything else about the suspension has been said.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Budd Lake
I bolted a "Quality-S" hitch on my '94 AWD EXT and apart from having to pull up the carpet and carefully drill through the floor and box rails underneath, it went in pretty easy. When I got the van the spare and hardware were already gone - probably eaten by salt here years ago. I bough it on Ebay for about $130 including shipping, and it's a class IV with 2" receiver. Since I haven't done any serious or distance towing yet, I've not done all the other suggested mods yet... but it's good to know that the van should pull my 17' bowrider nicely once I have it set up properly!
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Thanks Guys. It Sounds Like A Rear Sway Bar And Sensotracs Might Be Best For Me. I Don't Tow A Whole Lot With Two Young Kids At Home. Hopefully That Will Change As The Kids Get Older. Does Air Shocks Have Stiff Ride? My Boat Is A 18ft Astro W/ 150hp So It Should Have Similar Tongue Weight As Vango.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
also consider suspension air bags in rear springs, I've been towing and mountain roading with air lift bags for 6 years, work great...tow 3,500 lb trailer
got tired of forking out $100 bucks every two years for expensive air lift shocks, shock portion wears out and are worthless
...found a low cost source for Tokico shocks, so run those now...far better shock than Gabriel or Monroe
can make air lift shocks and air lift bag suspension almost like original ride or raise higher and firmer than the hemorroids can stand
got tired of forking out $100 bucks every two years for expensive air lift shocks, shock portion wears out and are worthless
...found a low cost source for Tokico shocks, so run those now...far better shock than Gabriel or Monroe
can make air lift shocks and air lift bag suspension almost like original ride or raise higher and firmer than the hemorroids can stand
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 3
Here's a link to an earlier discussion regarding air lifts: <a href="https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-397299-Thinking%20Air-Lift%20Inserts%3F%20-%20Think%20Again">Thinking Air-Lift Inserts? - Think Again</a>
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Pulled about a 4800 pound t/t (loaded weight), half way across the country and back many times. Sensatrac worked just fine for me. Got my hitch from the local U Haul dealer. Get this. It had a U Haul sticker over a Draw Tite sticker......and was $30 cheaper than a Draw Tite. Sway bar is a no brainer and with this much weight a leveling hitch is a must also.