Tow Vehicle

Pistol Pete · 02-01-2014, 05:17 PM

Is a Chevy Or GMC 3500 Ext. Passenger Van OK to tow with.

Are their any Cons to using one of these vehicles ???

It's RWD, Has a 6.0 motor, 10,000 lbs. towing capacity.
Trans Cooler, ect.
I'm guessing it should be just as good as a Suburban right ??

Thanks

james schaechter · 02-02-2014, 12:01 PM

We towed with a friend's 1 ton van once and it had the brakes and suspension to be safe. It was not nearly as easy to drive as a burban! No way would I choose a van if I could have a suburban. Short trips, maybe no biggie, but on a real long trip, the van was a chore to drive and ride in compared to a suburban. Maybe it is the wheelbase?

jmcarter · 02-02-2014, 02:36 PM

Pete, I imagine some of what James is describing could be contributed to how stiff they spring the 3500 Vans to accommodate the high cargo loading they are designed for. Combined with the Highway Rib tires you see on them...no doubt they need the 10-12 ply tires but imagine Michelins are other quality radials would improve their road manners. I would; however, be concerned with visibility out of them, making changing lanes and backing a trailer without a spotter a bit more challenging.

Pistol Pete · 02-02-2014, 03:30 PM

No, I'm talking about a Van with windows, like the 12 passenger kind, not a cargo type van. The Passenger kind should have nice tires on them.

Any thoughts & reply's are Greatly Appreciated.

Why i'm asking, my YukonXL 2500 has 207,000 miles, wondering if it's worth putting
a New Crate Motor in it or sell it to buy the Van.

tj310 · 02-02-2014, 08:04 PM

1 ton GM van with the longer wheelbase , worked great . It's all about the rear overhang ---Trevor

pistol paul · 02-03-2014, 09:43 AM

try them all you will find one you like

Pistol Pete · 02-14-2014, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tj310

1 ton GM van with the longer wheelbase , worked great . It's all about the rear overhang ---Trevor

I'm guessing a 3500 is a 1 ton chassis on a Van ????

tj310 · 02-15-2014, 10:27 AM

!990 GM introduced an extended van we bought one new . Unlike the Dodge extended van where thy added 2' behind the rear wheels GM extended the wheelbase. On further recollection ours was rated as a 3/4 ton 2500. The first thing I did was remove 2 leaves from each side so it sat level. Never changed anything else in the suspension. I liked it better than the Suburban we had used but missed the 454. There is the theory that you need a full frame to tow but I was happy . Really wanted the interior room without stepping up to a motor home. This was a bare bones van 350 air am radio , it was 1/2 the price of a new suburban at the time. I wouldn't hesitate to go with the newer 3500 6.0 van , like I said it's all about the rear overhang ---Trevor

Pistol Pete · 02-15-2014, 12:03 PM

Thanks for enlightening me on these vans. Yes, i like them too, little cheaper than a motorhome.
Just wondering if they were good for towing is all.
It sounds like they are as long as you get the 155" wheelbase one.

Dave Ribeiro · 02-15-2014, 02:10 PM

Pete,

Check on what a GM crate motor cost & have it put in ... Is the Sub. in good shape, if it is you can get another 5-8 years out of it, for not much more than 3-4 K !!! Plus you know what you have in the Sub. they make great tow trucks ... ( I have had 14 of them ) Good Luck....

02-01-2014, 05:17 PM	#1
Pistol Pete VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Punta Gorda Isles, Fl. Posts: 1,582 Likes: 2,823 Liked 688 Times in 182 Posts	Tow Vehicle Is a Chevy Or GMC 3500 Ext. Passenger Van OK to tow with. Are their any Cons to using one of these vehicles ??? It's RWD, Has a 6.0 motor, 10,000 lbs. towing capacity. Trans Cooler, ect. I'm guessing it should be just as good as a Suburban right ?? Thanks __________________ "Pistol" Pete Dutko

02-02-2014, 12:01 PM	#2
james schaechter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 1,928 Likes: 1,069 Liked 1,212 Times in 249 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle We towed with a friend's 1 ton van once and it had the brakes and suspension to be safe. It was not nearly as easy to drive as a burban! No way would I choose a van if I could have a suburban. Short trips, maybe no biggie, but on a real long trip, the van was a chore to drive and ride in compared to a suburban. Maybe it is the wheelbase? __________________ James Schaechter 3163 STK

02-02-2014, 02:36 PM	#3
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,122 Likes: 1,977 Liked 2,705 Times in 853 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle Pete, I imagine some of what James is describing could be contributed to how stiff they spring the 3500 Vans to accommodate the high cargo loading they are designed for. Combined with the Highway Rib tires you see on them...no doubt they need the 10-12 ply tires but imagine Michelins are other quality radials would improve their road manners. I would; however, be concerned with visibility out of them, making changing lanes and backing a trailer without a spotter a bit more challenging. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock

02-02-2014, 03:30 PM	#4
Pistol Pete VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Punta Gorda Isles, Fl. Posts: 1,582 Likes: 2,823 Liked 688 Times in 182 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle No, I'm talking about a Van with windows, like the 12 passenger kind, not a cargo type van. The Passenger kind should have nice tires on them. Any thoughts & reply's are Greatly Appreciated. Why i'm asking, my YukonXL 2500 has 207,000 miles, wondering if it's worth putting a New Crate Motor in it or sell it to buy the Van. __________________ "Pistol" Pete Dutko

02-02-2014, 08:04 PM	#5
tj310 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dresden On. Canada Posts: 460 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle 1 ton GM van with the longer wheelbase , worked great . It's all about the rear overhang ---Trevor

02-03-2014, 09:43 AM	#6
pistol paul Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 6 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle try them all you will find one you like

02-15-2014, 10:27 AM	#8
tj310 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dresden On. Canada Posts: 460 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle !990 GM introduced an extended van we bought one new . Unlike the Dodge extended van where thy added 2' behind the rear wheels GM extended the wheelbase. On further recollection ours was rated as a 3/4 ton 2500. The first thing I did was remove 2 leaves from each side so it sat level. Never changed anything else in the suspension. I liked it better than the Suburban we had used but missed the 454. There is the theory that you need a full frame to tow but I was happy . Really wanted the interior room without stepping up to a motor home. This was a bare bones van 350 air am radio , it was 1/2 the price of a new suburban at the time. I wouldn't hesitate to go with the newer 3500 6.0 van , like I said it's all about the rear overhang ---Trevor

02-15-2014, 12:03 PM	#9
Pistol Pete VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Punta Gorda Isles, Fl. Posts: 1,582 Likes: 2,823 Liked 688 Times in 182 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle Thanks for enlightening me on these vans. Yes, i like them too, little cheaper than a motorhome. Just wondering if they were good for towing is all. It sounds like they are as long as you get the 155" wheelbase one. __________________ "Pistol" Pete Dutko

02-15-2014, 02:10 PM	#10
Dave Ribeiro VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Williamsburg, Va.---USA Posts: 1,827 Likes: 1,612 Liked 56 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle Pete, Check on what a GM crate motor cost & have it put in ... Is the Sub. in good shape, if it is you can get another 5-8 years out of it, for not much more than 3-4 K !!! Plus you know what you have in the Sub. they make great tow trucks ... ( I have had 14 of them ) Good Luck.... __________________ Dave Ribeiro 1033 STK