I'm thinking of getting a little (older 16' or smaller) travel trailer to tow with my 1993 4.0L Extended.

What is the "real world" towing capacity of this rig?
I've read 4400 lbs on some sites, but believe that possibly to be dealer propaganda.

I plan on a tranny flush/filter and a large tranny cooler before attempting any major tow. As well as, cooling system flush, new rear springs/shocks, etc.

Any hints/tips/advice?

What tranny would be in this rig?

 

A4LD tranny.

with a coolant system flush , good hoses, cleaned radiator fins, large plate fin tranny cooler, full 12 qt tranny flush change with synthetic ATF such as Mobil 1, new synthetic 75w90 rear end lube, high pressure gas shocks, and new semi metallic brakes all the way around; it's safe and within the Aero's pulling capabilities to tow 3,000 lbs in mountain/large hilly terrain and up to 4,000 lb flat land towing.
tow only in 3rd with OD off.

overload springs/air bags with rear sway bar and poly bushings on front sway bar mandatory for ride and safe steering control. tall Aeros are unstable in winds and curvy roads.

i strongly recommend a combined ride/load/sway control hitch such as Equal-i-zer for safety. transfers weight to front steering axle and puts an end to dangerous wind whip.
that semi or big diesel motor home rolling by at 80 mph can suck a light Aero and trailer sideways into the next lane quickly.

double axle trailers pull with more stability than single axles.

trailer frontal area and shape are as much a tow limit factor as weight.

not a hot state towing rig, anything over 80d F and feet turn into roasted piggies.

 

if you add air compressor, air barake modulator and get an trailer with air brakes with ABS you can tow trailer twice heavier then aerostar. I used to tow 4 ton truck for 40 miles.

 

usualy people shy away from buying them due to the price, but i'd say that having a brake controller w electric brakes, an inertia hydraulic brake system or like pablo said an air brake system on a trailer that weighs over 1500 lbs is probly the best thing to have. i mean, if you've ever towed a trailer w and w/o brakes that weigh about the same, you do notice the difference. plus saves wear and tear on vehicles brakes.

 

I tow my 2000lb 26' sailboat with our EXT 4.0. Granted, the roads are pretty flat around here.

 

Yeah, I would say that if you upgrade the suspension properly, you can handle that weight. If the trailer is balanced you don't need a special hitch. If you do not have a highly upgraded transmission do not haul in overdrive. I can haul loads up to 2000 lbs in overdrive, but I have an upgraded transmission and a cooler, and a gauge to watch it. With a known 2000 lbs load I hauled up a 5% grade in 115 °F weather my temp gauge measured a peak temperature of 178°F.