How well can my van tow?

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marco10
I am smitten with my van
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How well can my van tow?

Post by marco10 »

Hello. I have a 2003 Astro with factory tow package (WD platform hitch and 3.73 rear axle ratio). Just purchased a pop-up trailer with GVWR of 3400lbs. How well can my van tow this? Anybody else towing similar load? Also when towing do I need to tow in 3rd gear even if the tow/haul mode is activated?

LiftedAWDAstro
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Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

We also have a pop-up but ours has a 3750 GVW. I have towed it with both my 98 4x4 and our 2005 TrailBlazer. I will venture a guess and say your Astro with the tow/haul mode and 3.73 gears will tow that with no issues. You will want to install a LARGE auxiliary transmission cooler to keep it happy but other than that you will be fine.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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e7ats
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Post by e7ats »

As far as towing in D or 3. It depends on if your trany is constantly shifting or not. If you are on flat land you can tow in D but if your doing hills where your going up and down a lot and shifting a lot you are best to stay in 3rd. Another thing is HEAT kills. As Dean said get a BIG Aux cooler for the trany.

A tip on your 03, if it is AWD make sure you flush the Transfer case fluid every 30,000 miles. For some reason the Tcase starts grabbing when the fluid gets old.
2003 AWD ASTRO Personal van
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LaGrasta
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Post by LaGrasta »

you will have no problem at all. I've towed over 5,000lbs. I would add a tranny cooler as recommended. I also have rear (helper) air bags to level the rear end, depending on what's being towed or hauled. They work great and were easy to install.
1998 Astro, 246,000 miles

K&N air filter
TruCool trans cooler
2" Overland lift & 15" BFG Terrain, 3.73 gears
JET Performance SCU-2000 (Speed Control Unit)
Gabriel Ultra shocks, rear AirLift bags & sway bar
Draw-Tite Dual Port Hitch System, hitch-mounted bike rack (4), hitch-mounted cargo tray, Thule roof-mounted cargo box
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