Feeling overwhelmed...newbie in need of advice

[movtarget]

A lot of good info here. I went through this several years ago when we debated pop-up vs. hybrid. We settled on the hybrid. We tow with a full size Chevy Van.

Consider adding to any tow vehicle a significant transmission cooler (or even a second one if the 'dealer' one is undersized). Also consider switching both motor oil and transmission fluid to full synthetic. Synthetic handles heat better.

The longer the wheelbase, and the heavier the tow vehicle, the better (safer).

Never tow in 'Overdrive' Keep it down a notch in the highest non-overdrive gear. In overdrive, the transmission will continue to 'hunt' between overdrive and drive. The transisition between the two (the shift) will produce a lot of heat. Heat kills trannys.

If the tow vehicle is equipped with P rated (passenger) tires, switch to light truck tires for better load capacity and stiff sidewalls (helps with sway control, turns, and maneuverability at speed) at next tire replacement.

Do not exceed GCVWR (gross combined vehicular weight rating - the sum total of both tow vehicle and trailer with everything and all people in it.)

Moving Target in NC

 

[Gillian]

short and to the point. I am a master certified auto tech. DONT tow with the chrysler minivan. the trans WILL NOT hold up. you can have a cooler the size of the radiator, it dosent matter, the clutch packs are just too light of duty. The nissan would be a good choice, so long as the maint records can be produced. as far as the truck goes?, My wife is a realtor, and she shows houses in her 2500 quad cab diesel! nothing beats a truck with four doors for towing.

LOL about your wife. Trucks are not very common as everyday vehicles in my market unless you are a contractor. It's more of an SUV kind of place. And if it's a BMW or mercedes SUV, all the better. Lexus is okay too.

I have heard the Odysseys have transmission problems too. I know Honda replaced the one in my 2000 Accord at ~60k miles for free so it must have been troublesome. Different engine but who knows?

Well, no TV yet. Maybe next week.

 

[james15]

Hi campers!
If you've been following my saga, you know that we have a popup (some kind of coleman/fleetwood, moderate size) but nothing to tow with. We've been shopping for used suvs and it's a little confusing.

I know there are other camping forums, but I can't figure out where to post.

Any advice on the following issues might help clear my head:
-if we need to add a hitch (receiver?) to a truck, where is the best place to go for that? An RV dealer? What about a brake controller? I'm in central NJ but can travel to PA bucks county if anyone is near me
-Is there an easy way to find out which used models had factory towing packages or towing prep packages?

For anyone who tows with a minivan, do you know anything about Hondas? One dealer told me the towing stuff is all added at the dealer and nothing (even engine upgrades) are available from the manufacturer. I can't verify this information.

Shopping for a new used car is bad enough, but having to get it ready to tow is impossible! Luckily DH is finally getting interested, but he knows a lot less than I do!

If you can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.

Any U-Haul can set you up on a hitch.Any suv,pu or minivan you haul with should have a transmission cooler.last one i had installed was only a few hundred dollars.

 

[james15]

LOL about your wife. Trucks are not very common as everyday vehicles in my market unless you are a contractor. It's more of an SUV kind of place. And if it's a BMW or mercedes SUV, all the better. Lexus is okay too.

I have heard the Odysseys have transmission problems too. I know Honda replaced the one in my 2000 Accord at ~60k miles for free so it must have been troublesome. Different engine but who knows?

Well, no TV yet. Maybe next week.

I will back him up on this. I own a fleet of caravans and town and countrys that are taxi cabs .clutch packs are weak and they have a problem with the plantarys locking up.There just not made to hold up to the kind of abuse towing inflicts on a transmission.I have a 31 ft car hauler My surbans will run up and down the highway with no problem.Minivans are maid to run the kids around not to haul trailers same thing with my dakota sport 2 transmissions in the first 60,000 miles i figured out even with towing package i could not pull my colman pop up across the country.

 

[Gillian]

Is there an easy way to look up info on the towing capabilities and factory towing packages on older (2002-2005) models? Seems like Toyota Siennas are all equipped with towing pkg, not sure about 2004.

AND, one more hitch question...so you need one for the TV and one for the trailer? I can't find paperwork for the trailer about the hitch on it. The manual suggests the reese 350 mini wd kit. Etrailer.com has some receiver hitches listed for minivans we like.

We also have a long, square metal tube thing that connects the car to the trailer. Don't know what that is either. Will ask my other brother in law.

The countdown clock is ticking. Luckily we are making 2 stops along the way to Florida just to make sure everything is ok. Wish we had time for a local trip but we just don't.

 

[Gillian]

Gillian...
In one of your replies, you mention the Honda Odessey as something you like. I checked my 2005 Tow ratings guide, and the HONDA Odyssey equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine will tow a maximum of 3500 lbs. I know you mentioned that the one dealer told you that all towing options for Honda' s are installed at the dealership, but this note is listed in my book, and it says
Factory towing package required. The towing package must then be a factory item.

Thank you for looking it up fpr me! We would feel comfortable with an Ody because it is so similar to our Accord (which we love).

I believe I was told that it is something the dealer adds, rather than a factory item. I understand the difference, not sure that the salespeople do!!!
I'm planning to make some phone calls monday to Honda, Toyota & Nissan (corporate not the dealers) to ask about these things. Can't get a straight answer from anyone.