Let's talk vans... Mini Van's and Trade vans

I mentioned in my focus thread that I am exploring the idea of replacing it with something that can tow or be more practical.. 

I like trucks... but I don't want to own one... not a large one at least... 

The Ram Promaster City and Transit Connect are rated to tow 2k lbs (with proper packages) and in my mind should be able to pull a tow dolly with Hazmat at 2800 lbs... maybe this is totally off base... 

Alternatively have considered a used Honda Odyssey which have a 3k tow rating... 

Has anyone here towed with any of the above or owned any of the above? I may not go down this path at all... but I'm just evaluating options... 

I've towed with a '17 Sedona. Its fine with light loads. On a boat ramp I use the parking brake to take strain off the transmission.

Watch the transmissions--only real issue with towing a 3k load with a minivan. With an Oddity you want 07+. Or a Ridgeline.

That 2k rating is based more on drivetrain and chassis stresses during acceleration and braking, along with the power and brakes themselves, than on tongue weight.   That dolly isn't going to let those ratings move upwards by 50% or more.

In my experience what towing near the limits on a minivan causes to fail first is usually the transmission, and aren't the Odyssey transmissions already reported to be made out of paper mache and tinfoil? Even if you beef up the transmission cooling and get it to survive you then end up in a chassis designed for a car already hauling around more weight up higher with more wind resistance and buffering that now has to deal with an additional whole car worth of pushing, pulling, and trying to drag you off the road in every turn.

The minivan exception was always the Astro, because it was built like a smaller version of a bigger truck and if you want to get that sort of vehicle new you really want a full size Transit or Promaster. The new full size, low roof short wheelbase Transit 150 is the best Astro yet built.

mtn said:

 

Watch the transmissions--only real issue with towing a 3k load with a minivan. 

That's what I was under the impression of.. It's the limit of some of the trucks too. Mazdeuce and I have talked about his experience towing with his truck. 

With an Oddity you want 07+. Or a Ridgeline.

Noted. Thank you. 

In reply to oldopelguy :

A transit or full size Promaster gets into the same issues as a truck... mainly size... 

This whole conversation may be moot.. But I figured I'd have the conversation. 

I had a Toyota 89 Van LE (rwd, mid engine, dual sunroof), for 8 years. Then replaced with Odyssey (trans grenaded twice) and then Mazda 5 (9 years- low quality piece of junk Tier 3 manufacturing quality).   After 29 years of having a minivan/van around, I am done. Never again. 

If someone put a gun to my head today, I would buy a Sienna.   Locally, "large families," have the Nissan 3500. Lots of horror stories on the Nissan NV forums, similar to the Metris forums.... 

I've towed about 3500lbs with a previous generation Kia Sedona many times with no issues.  It's not something I'd want to do day in and day out, but for a few times a year it worked perfectly fine.

Do you own the tow dolly or do you plan to rent - Uhaul?

I ask because Uhaul only rents out to about 80% of tow capacity.  Therefore they would not rent you a tow dolly behind a 2k tow limit to tow a Civic.  The Uhaul dollys weigh 700 or 800 lbs.  Even at 3500 towing capacity you might have a challenge getting them to rent you a dolly.  This is easy to check but just going to their website and starting a fake reservation.  

My father towed a 20 foot catamaran for many years with a Pontiac Montana minivan. He probably could have been more sympathetic to the transmission and maybe changed the fluid frequently. He blew up at least 3 transmissions. The 2 Ford Econolines that came before the minivan never had a problem. Except rust.

What other uses will the vehicle that sees occasionally towing see? Volvo wagon or Roadmaster could be the answer. Xterras, classic Cherokees, Pilots, 4Runners and even Elements can handle light towing without too much headache. 

In reply to John Welsh :

Confirmed. Our Sedona has a 3,500 lb tow rating and Uhaul would not rent us thier flat trailer, only a tow dolly.

In reply to nderwater :

I'm glad to see that they would still rent you a dolly.  

This is part of the reason I’ve been idly considering a ‘12-15 Pilot when we get back.  AFAIK, It’s the smallest thing that can swallow a piece of sheet goods (with the hatch open)... and in AWD form has a tow rating of 4500#s.

Dodge Grand Caravan and twins have a 3600lb tow rating.

John Welsh said:

Do you own the tow dolly or do you plan to rent - Uhaul?

I ask because Uhaul only rents out to about 80% of tow capacity.  Therefore they would not rent you a tow dolly behind a 2k tow limit to tow a Civic.  The Uhaul dollys weigh 700 or 800 lbs.  Even at 3500 towing capacity you might have a challenge getting them to rent you a dolly.  This is easy to check but just going to their website and starting a fake reservation.  

I would probably buy a dolly... 

If considering the small cargo vans like Transit Connect, etc then maybe consider one of these Ram CV Tradesman vans. 

They are cargo versions of Chrysler Minivans.  I have recently seen a lot of them on used lots.  They probably come from cable and phone companies.  I have not studied the prices but I bet they are cheaper than the consumer versions...if you're okay with just 2 seats.  

I have a 2015 Sienna with a 3500 lb tow rating.  I use it to tow a pop-up camper that weighs ~2500lbs dry from time to time.  The back end did squat quite a bit with tongue load or if I put very heavy cargo in the back.  This is an issue if you need to go over speed bumps or into a steep driveway, as the trailer hitch is already mounted pretty close to the ground and can bottom out.  I installed an AirLift air bag system in the rear coil springs.  It was a pretty simple install, and made a dramatic difference.  I also upgraded the front brakes to Hawk HP+ sport pads and bleed the brake fluid once a year, just for peace of mind.  With those mods it has performed very well.  I'm actually shopping for a lightweight car hauler to take my 2200# Miata to the track; if I do it right, I can probably stay around 3500 pounds and have somewhere air conditioned to camp for the weekend.  With a cot and a small memory foam mattress, they make awesome campers.

I personally think they are under-rated for towing.  It has a similar wheelbase, motor and brakes to a Tacoma pickup.  I do generally keep speed under 65mph and drive carefully on busy highways or with crosswinds, etc.

When we were looking at buying a new truck for work a few years ago we looked at mini vans and all were incapable of towing anything remotely more than a bicycle for more than a few miles. If you are only towing a few times per year than I would just rent a truck, will be way cheaper in the long run. Either Uhaul, Penske, Ryder, etc. If you have  trailer and need a good tow pig, I also found a place near me that would rent pick ups with brake controllers as we had a need to tow our trailer to a project while our truck was in the shop. Mini vans have their uses but unfortunately towing is not one of them for the most part,

I tow light loads with the Rondo, and towing with FWD can be interesting, especially at the boat ramp.  With weight on the ball, traction can be an issue.  I mention this because both the options you are considering are FWD IIRC. 

I'm not fan of Nissan, but why not get a Nissan NV? It's a truck in the form of a van. Get it in fleet white, and you'll look like a giant molar rolling down the road, but them things can tow like a Titan, which is basically what it is.

We have had an 06 Toyota Sienna for 12 years now, and it has been bulletproof. It's rated at 3500 lbs. but we've never towed anything with it. I'd go Toyota if I were going Minivan route. They make the best stuff.

The Independent Operator who towed a Prius for me from Ohio to Illinois says he loves the Nissan Vans with 5.6L and something like 9,000 towing capacity

In reply to John Welsh :

plus spacecadet can convert it to live-in and cut down his rent to the cost of a "street access" storage unit for garaging hazmat, dolly, and other sundries

imgon said:

If you are only towing a few times per year than I would just rent a truck, will be way cheaper in the long run. Either Uhaul, Penske, Ryder, etc.

Read the contract closely, most of the big rental chains won't let you tow with any of the pickups they rent, only with the moving vans (and even then it usually limits you to towing a trailer you rented from them). 

FWIW, the Transit, even the big long wheelbase high roof version, drives more like a car than a truck; if that makes sense.

I’d be pretty happy to daily drive one in short wheelbase form.

I rented from Enterprise to pull a trailer down to the Challenge in 2017. As soon as I mentioned towing they sent me to their commercial rental unit. The local office rents F150s, but not for towing. The commercial office gave me an F250for the week. Cost was around $700 IIRC.