trailer towing
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New User
Joined: Aug 2009
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ok so we brought home a trailer we just bought this weekend.
22' Tahoe Lite 2880 lbs dry weight. The Aerostar did ok. no funny smells, leaks or tranny slippage. Temp guage stayed right where it should so did oil preassure.
Total trip with the trailer was 230 kms. over the Malahat Pass and up some pretty long hills. $50.00 in fuel @ $1.05 per litre. avg. 80 KMPH.
The van did OK. It definitely had to work hard on the hills and I don't think I would want to pull too much more.
The ride was a little bouncy even with the new shocks when the road was rough but it was ok on the smooth. I didn't see any other mini vans out there pulling and I got some funny looks and head shaking.
I think it will be ok for short trips but not out of province.
22' Tahoe Lite 2880 lbs dry weight. The Aerostar did ok. no funny smells, leaks or tranny slippage. Temp guage stayed right where it should so did oil preassure.
Total trip with the trailer was 230 kms. over the Malahat Pass and up some pretty long hills. $50.00 in fuel @ $1.05 per litre. avg. 80 KMPH.
The van did OK. It definitely had to work hard on the hills and I don't think I would want to pull too much more.
The ride was a little bouncy even with the new shocks when the road was rough but it was ok on the smooth. I didn't see any other mini vans out there pulling and I got some funny looks and head shaking.
I think it will be ok for short trips but not out of province.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
nice trailer Kurt
if you're going to be doing much towing, put on an load distribution hitch with sway control
i use this one, load control and sway control all in the arms. easy to hook up and improves towing safety peace of mind 1000%.
Equal-i-zer Hitch - The “American Original” with 4-Point Sway Control and Weight Distribution
one wild wind gust, semi or motorhome haulin by at 80 mph passing on the left convinces most trailer towers.
bet the scale weight with nothing in the trailer is over 3k lbs.
weight the loaded to the gills trailer and van with vacation load, will shock you.
bet you're over 8,000 lbs GVCW
run the van and trailer tires at max side wall listed pressure. reduces heating and sway.
air bags bring the back end back up to unloaded height even while towing.
do the long drives with the water tanks all empty
mirrors i use. easy on/off and don't blow off.
Clip On Mirrors for Towing
if you're going to be doing much towing, put on an load distribution hitch with sway control
i use this one, load control and sway control all in the arms. easy to hook up and improves towing safety peace of mind 1000%.
Equal-i-zer Hitch - The “American Original” with 4-Point Sway Control and Weight Distribution
one wild wind gust, semi or motorhome haulin by at 80 mph passing on the left convinces most trailer towers.
bet the scale weight with nothing in the trailer is over 3k lbs.
weight the loaded to the gills trailer and van with vacation load, will shock you.
bet you're over 8,000 lbs GVCW
run the van and trailer tires at max side wall listed pressure. reduces heating and sway.
air bags bring the back end back up to unloaded height even while towing.
do the long drives with the water tanks all empty
mirrors i use. easy on/off and don't blow off.
Clip On Mirrors for Towing
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New User
Joined: Aug 2009
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I have the full load bar set up. I know to travel with the tanks empty. I figure the trailer is over 3000 lbs simply because of the batteries and propane tanks etc.
I have taken the seats out of the van tht I don't need. we do travel as light as possible. Just some food and clothes. not much in the way of toys and excess lawn chairs etc.
I just wonder how long the aerostar can be expected to last pulling a trailer this size. It has only 120,000 kms (70,000 miles) on it. I suspect it should last a while as the trailer will probably only get used a few times a year I'm going to put the synthetic tranny fluid in.
anybody know what the capacity of the tranny is?
I have taken the seats out of the van tht I don't need. we do travel as light as possible. Just some food and clothes. not much in the way of toys and excess lawn chairs etc.
I just wonder how long the aerostar can be expected to last pulling a trailer this size. It has only 120,000 kms (70,000 miles) on it. I suspect it should last a while as the trailer will probably only get used a few times a year I'm going to put the synthetic tranny fluid in.
anybody know what the capacity of the tranny is?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
spec'd capacity is 11 qts US
i usually run 12 quarts thru on a total gentle flush to get clean ATF on the out line.
the trailer was an 18ft, dry weight 2700, 7ft wide, double axle with brakes on all 4. the 7.6ft and 8ft wide trailers are much harder to tow with the increased wind resistance.
mine was as much as my Aero wanted but had no problems, just not fast on hills. good braking power and handled well, cornered better than the Aero by itself.
i usually run 12 quarts thru on a total gentle flush to get clean ATF on the out line.
the trailer was an 18ft, dry weight 2700, 7ft wide, double axle with brakes on all 4. the 7.6ft and 8ft wide trailers are much harder to tow with the increased wind resistance.
mine was as much as my Aero wanted but had no problems, just not fast on hills. good braking power and handled well, cornered better than the Aero by itself.
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