Chevy & GMC Vans

I've been told the Astro I have can legally tow around 5400# and some of you already know that I've done just slightly more than that (ripped out stump, pulled tree, and towed home a cord of slightly seasoned firewood...) Well that's good, but I thought I should post anyway.

It's a 2003 ext AWD astro with 4.3L engine. The nice thing is it has the tow/haul mode to prevent undue tranny stress. I also have the dealer installed class 3 hitch with 7pt wiring harness (and converter for light trailers). I live in PA if that makes a difference for legal purposes. Here's what I plan to tow: http://www.ur.com/index.php/equipment/r ... ifications In short, it's a cherry picker that weighs 4600#, has a 400# tongue weight and may be 22 ft long as towed. Can I legally tow this?

Also, my van didn't come with the owners manual. So can anyone direct me to an online source that has the towing info? What's listed on my door doesn't seem very helpful in determining towing info.

Don't see why not. We use Astros to pull other Astros on dollies and trailers which in total would weigh about the same.

You can pull that pretty easily. In tow configuration it is a low profile so it will actually tow very well. What will kill these van is the high wind resistance loads like campers.

I have towed a lift like that several times and had no trouble. Heck I towed it with my Grand Prix, bad idea car had enough power but not enough suspension and I don't think the hitch was rated for it.

Thanks guys. I suspected it would be good, but I wanted to double check.

I think I forgot to give an update this. I towed it, but not that specific model. This is what I towed home.
http://www.jlg.com/en-US/Model.html?Bas ... 8cb1f085d7
Sorry, but I didn't think to get pics, but I was way too busy to get pics of it, because I had too much work to do, and way too little time to get it done in. But the specs are 4800 lb with 350 lb on the tongue.

The Astro also directed the fall of the tree trunks two days later. I do have pics of that
Tree trunk

Asto assisted fall--I used a very long rope and another tree to loop around so the driver (SWMBO) didn't have to 'run' from the falling tree.

A less blurry pic:


This van is COOL!

Yepper-I can atest to dolly tows of two Astros.(One without hardly any brakes on the tow van. )The LT is still running afterwards.

I was going to bring up the brakes. An Astro with rear air shocks can pull way more than it can stop in an emergency.

that's for sure that's why i for one intend to do some brake upgrades this summer